Take That Portrait

This week we offer you some great advice on how to take that ever elusive family portrait. We also have some great black and white photography tips.

Portrait Tips

For group portraits ensure an even spread of light. This will avoid one member of the group being over lit in comparison to the other group members. If you want to get a shot of someone's head, create a more flattering chin line by getting the subject to hold a white sheet of paper below the chin, but out of shot. If the subject happens to be thinning on top, make sure the picture is taken from a slightly lower level to give the impression of a fuller head of hair. You should also be extremely careful with hats. They can cause unwanted shadows to appear on the subject's face. If you are having difficulty with the shots, try a three-quarter view of the face. This often provides a more flattering view than full frontal shot often does.

Black and White Photography

A number of the most striking pictures in history have been captured using black and white rather than colour film. Certain subjects are more suited to black and white films. Stormy weather and any desolate landscape shots all look particularly good in black and white. Also dilapidated buildings and run down areas of a town or city can appear more striking in black and white. An interesting effect can be achieved with black and white film if you use it with a coloured filter for a variety of differing effects. Black and white film is extremely good at making people and places look old, which is why many photographers us a colourless film to make elderly people look even older.

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