When you're starting out in portrait photography, creativity doesn't always come easily. Many struggle with seeing composition naturally, but it's a skill you can build through focused practice.
Coming to you from Manny Ortiz, this practical video walks you through specific methods to elevate your portrait work, especially if composition isn't instinctive for you. Ortiz shares a straightforward comparison between typical beginner mistakes and subtle changes that drastically improve balance and visual interest. For instance, shifting your camera angle slightly higher can make the subject stand out clearly against the background, while making better use of leading lines. This advice is practical and immediately applicable, demonstrating how small tweaks in perspective impact your photographs. You’ll also appreciate the detailed breakdown of why certain angles are flattering for your subject and more effective in directing attention exactly where you want it.
Ortiz also dives into how light shapes the quality and feel of your images, emphasizing strategic positioning of your subject within natural lighting scenarios. Rather than relying solely on ideal conditions like golden hour, he explains how embracing challenging or harsh lighting situations can enhance your creativity. For instance, Ortiz demonstrates placing a model in direct sunlight while carefully utilizing shadow shapes to frame and complement her features. This practical demonstration underscores the value of actively managing available lighting rather than waiting for perfect conditions. It’s a valuable lesson that highlights the importance of adapting creatively rather than being limited by less-than-ideal settings.
Further into the video, Ortiz emphasizes constructing a portrait intentionally—assembling each shot piece by piece, much like solving a puzzle. He carefully walks through identifying strong backgrounds first, followed by deciding the precise positioning of the model based on the available light. This thoughtful approach moves beyond simply recognizing a visually appealing scene, toward actively shaping and refining your final image. Ortiz shares detailed posing tips, such as having your subject lean slightly forward when using wide angle lenses, to avoid unflattering distortions and maintain visual harmony in your portraits. He also stresses the benefit of taking control of where your subject looks, as small shifts in gaze direction can significantly alter the way light interacts with facial features, ultimately improving the overall effectiveness of the portrait. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Ortiz.
