'Wow' Factor in Potraits.

In capturing good photos, it is all about using good techniques. That is why we need to keep learning; sharpening our skills so that we can master each and every techniques so well, so that when the time comes, we can capture it beautifully, before sharing it with the world to see. And making other people jealous of the coolness of the photo. :P

There are lots of categories in photography, but today we're gonna have a look at... Potraits! Potraits has been one of the top photography techniques that photographers love to use. We capture body language, emotion, facial expression, moments, et cetera. Have you ever felt gloomy, or so happy, or even smile, or laugh, when you look at potraits of people (even if that's a photo of some random strangers)? Have you ever felt that? Have you? Have youu? We bet you have. Well, that's what we call a good photo. It communicates with the viewer; it delivers the feeling of the people in the photo and the atmosphere of the scene.

Now, let's go straight to the point. How to take good potraits? Read on!

1. ALTER YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Alter your perspective! Forget the eye-level angle, get a chair and capture a photo of someone while standing on it, or get down on the floor and lie down on your side and capture, or stand at the back of the subject and capture. Try to think of different angles and perspectives, probably from the view of a lizard that is resting on your fan... or something.

2. PLAY WITH EYE CONTACT

Having the subject looking at the lens is a good way, but we can also have the eyes off the lens to create a good impact. This create the feeling of candidness, which could be more intriguing.

Eyes off camera

Eyes still in frame

3. BREAK THE RULES OF COMPOSITION

Creativity has no limitations, we can always bend the rule! Forget the rule of third for a while, and try to experiment with other compositions. Naughty catchphrase that you might have heard: "Those who obey all the rules, will miss all the fun" so grab your camera and have fun snapping with any way you want.

4. EXPERIMENT WITH LIGHTING

Join force with the nature and create a beautiful potraits with lightings. Lighting can create the mood of the picture - happy, sad, anxious, angry, etc. The more you do it, the more familiar with lighting you become, and the more you know how to use lighting to create the mood of your pictures, the better the outcome.

5. MOVE YOUR SUBJECT OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE

Now, have you ever browsed through an album that consists of someone's portraiture, with only one angle and one expression? Hint hint: top view, coy smile? Hint hint: MySpace picture? ;P

How would you say to that..

But anyway. The point is, having a random, unusual pose will definitely make a better picture. Have your subject do something that is not normal or silly, such as jumping, twisting their bodies, playing rockstar, making silly faces, or any other unique poses, will surely make the picture stand out.

6. SHOOT CANDIDLY

See someone yawning so wide it cracks you up? Or a toddler pinching the nose of his father? Or someone walking absent-mindedly in the park? Freeze the moment. Candid is always, always good. Plus, the subject does not have the 'pressure' to think of a pose, so the picture will come out so naturally and real.

7. INTRODUCE A PROP

Have an object in your picture alongside with your subject, might create a sense of story, which will make the picture interesting.

8. FOCUS ON ONE BODY PART (GET CLOSED UP)

The less we show, the more mysterious it becomes. We could capture only certain body part of the subject and leave the viewer to interpret the picture themselves.

9. OBSCURE PART OF YOUR SUBJECT

Which means, have your subject zoomed in closely to focus at only one part, while the other part is covered/hide. We can do this by using clothes, objects, or even the subjects body parts such as hands, or hair.

10. TAKE SERIES OF SHOTS

Switch your camera into 'burst' or 'continuous shots' to capture more than one picture at a time. This technique is great tobe used on an active subject, as we can see the continuous transformation of the activity that the subject is doing.

Pictures courtesy of Shutters' awesome photographers and DPS (for tips #10).
Adapted by 10 Ways to Take Stunning Potraits, DPS