Self Portraits and Portraits Part 1

3. Break the Rules of Composition

There are a lot of ‘rules’ out there when it comes to composition and I’ve always had a love hate relationship with them. My theory is that while they are useful to know and employ that they are also useful to know so you can purposely break them – as this can lead to eye catching results.

The Rule of Thirds is one that can be effective to break – placing your subject either dead centre can sometimes create a powerful image – or even creative placement with your subject right on the edge of a shot can sometimes create interesting images.

9. Obscure Part of your Subject

A variation on the idea of zooming in on one part of the body is to obscure parts of your portrait subject’s face or body. You can do this with clothing, objects, their hands or just by framing part of them out of the image.

Doing this means that you leave a little to the imagination of the image’s viewer but also focus their attention on parts of your subject that you want them to be focused upon. 

Get Closer

The most common mistake made by photographers is that they are not physically close enough to their subjects. In some cases this means that the center of interest—the subject—is just a speck, too small to have any impact. Even when it is big enough to be decipherable, it usually carries little meaning. Viewers can sense when a subject is small because it was supposed to be and when it's small because the photographer was too shy to get close.

Don't be shy. If you approach people in the right way, they'll usually be happy to have their picture made. It's up to you to break the ice and get them to cooperate. Joke around with them. Tell them why you want to make the picture. Practice with people you know so that you are comfortable; people can sense when you aren't.

Environmental Portraits

I like this portrait because of the overall elegant presentation. It's very sophisticated and the woman makes pointe look easy.

I love the beauty and colors in this portrait. The shades of nature and the texture of the photo really draws you in.

Photography Self Portrait

I really like how the angle isn't just straight ahead, it's a cool looking angle. I really like how his eye pops.

I love this photo, it's such a unique picture. It looks as if he had cloned himself again and again.

Casual Portraits

I like this portrait because of the cool angle and the way her eyes are the only thing with color. 

I like this portrait because it isn't posed, it was taken at random and turned out t be a great photo.

My Portrait Assignment Plan

I think for my portraits, I'll shoot people in the streets or at random, I think it'll bring some diversity into the assignment. To make the portraits as successful as possible, I plan on including lots of lines and colors to bring out the photos. I'll also be incorporating in Rule of Thirds, Simplicity and framing.