How to make a good portrait?

How to make a good portrait? Today's post is an answer to the ever-arising question of how to take good portrait photos. The tips I present below are my thoughts based on the experience I have gathered so far.

Appropriate selection of other parameters.
Correct exposure.
If all of the above points have been met, it's time to set the correct exposure. The machine will not do it well only blindly, but I believe that if you are reading this text, you know how to set parameters in manual mode or at least in the aperture priority mode (if you cannot learn it, unless you want to do just a simple shot on fejsa not arousing "ohs and ahs").

Set a low aperture and select all other parameters accordingly so that the photo is sharp and motionless.

If the background is bright and the correct exposure for the face causes it to burn out, illuminate the photographed person, e.g. with a reflector.

God forbid with a built-in or system lamp mounted on the sled and directed straight ahead (you can do it but only shine minimally, personally I do not do it because I do not like this effect). A reflector or a lamp on a tripod with an umbrella is best. If you are unable to use the above accessories, lower the exposure a bit and the face will be slightly underexposed. You'll fix it in the post-process, or at least the background won't be burned out. The last option is to simply reposition the person somewhere else where the background won't be burned out.

Natural pose.
If the person has already relaxed enough to position themselves relatively well in front of the lens in the places indicated by you, it is very good. However, more than once the setting is unnatural and very unfavorable. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Pay attention and correct the setting. Many a time the person you work with is unaware that something they just presented looks terrible. Remember that you are in charge and you are to present the person in a favorable way.
There is nothing worse than a photographer who does not say anything during shooting and does not correct anything. Not only is it just numb, but the effects can also leave a lot to be desired.
It is really rare to find people who position themselves perfectly always and with every photo. Actually, I don't think there are any. This is what you are for, you are to help them.

Pay attention to details and details.
Details and details, as if nothing essential and important yet. A good photo consists of elaborate details.
The basis is to carefully observe the model and correct, for example, hair that covers the face too much, a protruding dress or blouse, or protruding straps from the bra.
It is similar with the background and the immediate surroundings. I have often removed unwanted elements from the frame. Many times I have kicked out weeds, removed rubbish or moved elements to another place.
These are all details but how important it is. Watch closely and control everything.

Good frame, strong points of the image, visualization.
Let me start at the end of this point. Before each photo, I make a quick visualization, I imagine what photo I want to see on the screen and cut! It all happens quickly and subconsciously. Although often, when I only have time for it, I think longer about individual frames.

Always, before each planned session, I need to know the styling (as long as I don't come up with it myself). The same applies to the place, atmosphere and character of the photos that are to finish the session. For all this, in my head, I choose the poses and frames I can perform. Before the studio session, I often draw sample settings. Thanks to this, the session runs very smoothly and according to the assumptions.
It is a great facilitation of work and the effects are much better. Of course, not everything can be planned. Almost always, new ideas arise during the session, which are also implemented.
Good personnel is a difficult matter. There will always be people who say you screwed up. Don't listen to them if the comments are soaked with hatred and cliche. However, when a person who takes clearly better pictures than you and has an idea of ​​what he is saying, nothing prevents you from listening to what he has to say.
Coming back to the essence, a good frame is not only about interesting light, good positioning of the model, climate and perfectly matched parameters. The strong points of the painting, the rule of thirds, the golden ratio. Does this tell you something? If so, great if you don't make up for the backlog as soon as possible. The right positioning of elements in the frame is an absolute must. In this way, you can consciously influence or even manipulate the recipient. You can give him this hidden mental message: "look first here, then there, and finally the whole thing."

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