Portrait photography: tips for good pictures

In short: Good portraits depend on light, background, perspective and contact with the person. Soft light and a calm background usually work best.

In more detail: Long focal lengths flatter faces because they make proportions look natural (brennweite-und-bildwinkel).

In detail

• Light: Soft light, for example at a window or under an overcast sky; golden hour outdoors.
• Aperture: A wide aperture (e.g. f/1.8 to f/2.8) blurs the background (blende-und-schaerfentiefe).
• Focus: Focus on the eyes.
• Focal length: 50 to 135 mm (full frame) for portraits.
• Background: Calm, without distractions such as branches “growing out of the head”.
• Perspective: At eye level; slightly from above often looks flattering.
• Direction: Relaxation, a conversation, natural poses (bildkomposition-goldener-schnitt).
• Privacy: Obtain consent before publishing.