Portrait photography demands a thoughtful approach to composition, not just for aesthetic appeal but also to ensure your images are technically sound and emotionally impactful. Whether you’re shooting headshots, full-body portraits, or mid-body images, understanding how to frame your subject is key.
Coming to you from Gerard Needham, this practical video breaks down common mistakes in portrait composition and how to avoid them. One major point is the importance of leaving enough room around your subject. For instance, cutting off body parts at awkward places like joints—knees, elbows, or the neck—creates visual discomfort. Needham suggests giving more headroom for full-body shots and avoiding cropping below the knees for mid-body shots. The balance between headroom and feet room can make or break an image’s composition. These seemingly small adjustments improve the subject's presence and avoid creating a cramped or awkward look.
Negative space and frame-filling compositions are also covered as creative techniques to add variety to your portfolio. Needham explains how negative space can draw attention to the environment, creating a softer, more atmospheric look, while filling the frame produces bold, dominant portraits. Both methods have their place, and experimenting with them can enhance your storytelling. By isolating the subject with shallow depth of field, you can guide the viewer’s focus without distractions. He also challenges the misconception that specific focal lengths are tied to one style of composition, encouraging you to explore different combinations. That just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Needham.
If you would like to continue learning about the art of portraiture, be sure to check out our range of tutorials on the subject in the Fstoppers store.
