Super quick (and easy!) tip for more flattering portraits
// May 1st, 2007
One of my goals when I take portraits is to make sure the resulting photograph is flattering to the subject. There are a ton of techniques one can use to improve a portrait from lighting to digital alteration but one of the very best and quickest ways also happens to be one of the easiest. Here are three photos of the same subject taken from three different perspectives (uh, please forgive the model). In the first, the camera was slightly below the subject shooting up, then at eye-level in the second, and finally a few inches above the subject:
It’s clear to me that the last photo is the most flattering. Not only does this perspective make me look thinner, notice that it also opens up the eyes and hides wrinkle-revealing shadows. A few inches of elevation above the subject’s eye-level is all you need.
Posted 1 year ago
That’s amazing how much of a difference a few inches of elevation can make!
Posted 1 year ago
Super quick (and easy!) tip for more flattering portraits…
Changing your angle of attack can make a huge difference on portrait photos….
Posted 1 year ago
Amen to that John. This is something I learned as well, and one of my best tools for portrait photography is my step ladder. It’s the simple things that make the big difference.
Posted 1 year ago
Great tip!
Posted 1 year ago
This works great until this guy looks like me and the top of his head throws off a shine that will blind the camera!
Posted 1 year ago
Thanks for the tip!
Posted 9 months ago
[...] Super Quick And Easy Tip For More Flattering Portraits: Photodoto.com [...]
Posted 9 months ago
Great tip! This was something I had to teach the husband years ago. I have a theory that more women know this than men, even those not so much interested in photography. We’re more prone to taking self-portraits and we all discover early on that we look best when the camera’s pointing slightly down at us. The secret’s out. :)
-Lisa
Posted 7 months ago
[...] Kneel before thy photographer - a photo taken from above will make your face look thinner, reduce shadows which reveal wrinkles and open up the eyes. [...]