Creative, commercial photographers.

How to take photographs of people

June 20, 2009

Commercial photographers often take shots of people to use in advertising campaigns as it can help them market their products effectively. The use of people in photos is particularly prevalent in catalogue photography. The people in these photos often become people we can relate to, admire and even trust so the way these photos are taken by a commercial photographer are of great importance. Photographing people is not an easy task but there are some tips and things to consider that can help you do so successfully.

The use of light in the shot is one of the most important points. Different lighting can display peopleâ€™s skin tones and details in different ways. Soft light is often preferred by professionals when taking photographs of people but this will depend on the purpose of the shot.

The lens used when photographing people must also be considered and lens variations can be particularly useful. By altering the lens it is possible to blur the background and emphasize the subject, distort their features, and highlight or blend other details.

The framing of your shot is another key detail. Think carefully about the other objects you want in your photograph and how they will affect the image. Look for the natural cut-off point with the people and objects in your photograph and try to capture it.

The use of a flash must also be considered. If you are using a flash to take photographs of people, it is best to use the red-reduction setting on your camera. The lighting can become too harsh on your subject if the flash is directed right at them but if you try to bounce the flash offÂ a plain or reflective surface, it is possible to make the light a little softer as often seen in commercial photography.