Intimate Photo Tips

Take a Romantic Portrait of the One You Love!
What better way to show your affection than to take a romantic portrait of the one you love? Here are five tips from photographer Chuck DeLaney, Dean of the world's largest photography school - the New York Institute of Photography (NYI) - to help you do it right.

First, you want the focus of attention in your photo to be your subject's face and expression. Suggest dark clothing that will be subdued -avoid checks, stripes and big patterns, unless such outfits are your subject's trademark. The subject's face should stand out, not the clothing!

Second, according to NYI, come in close and fill the frame with your subject. Generally, you'll be better off with a "head-and-shoulders" shot in which the hands don't show.

Third, if the hands do show, give them something to hold - gloves, a small bouquet, a hat...anything that's appropriate.

Fourth, use a relatively fast film - outdoors ISO 200, indoors ISO 400 or faster. Shoot some pictures with flash...some, without.

Fifth, when using flash, keep your subject a few feet from the background to minimize dark wall shadows.

Of course, when you get back the prints, examine them carefully. Then take the best photo and have it enlarged so that you can put a 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10 print in a tasteful frame for a great present!

(Reprinted with permission of the New York Institute of Photography http://www.nyip.com )

Move In Closer

Each time you spot a subject, snap a shot and then move in closer for a better shot. Having your subject almost fill the frame helps your viewer understand and appreciate your photo. Also, details are often more interesting than an overall view.

Keep moving in closer until you are sure the photo will successfully represent your subject.

Be Quick

If it is at all possible that your subject may move, bolt, fly away, stop smiling, or just get tired of waiting for you to take the picture, shoot once right away.

Practice getting quicker and quicker to the draw.

Do not worry about wasting film and do not wait until you're absolutely certain all the knobs and buttons are in their correct position.

Digital cameras today come with built-in flash, but if yours didn’t, don’t sweat it, all you need is one light source, which can be diffused window light if shooting during the day, or with the latitude of exposure that digital cameras offer over film, light from a table lamp with the lamp shade removed and off to the side will work, just set your camera to “auto white-balance,” to compensate for the color of the lamp. If you’re really serious, buy a small light kit from your local photo store, many like Dyna-Lite are inexpensive, but a good value and come digital ready.
Have her pose across the bed, and stay parallel to her to prevent distortion while keeping the main light slightly above her and around 45-degrees to the left or right of her face. Never shoot up, as people don’t like to look at nostrils, shoot level or slightly from above, and vary your shots from horizontal to vertical. Verticals are more powerful than horizontals, though she may be lying down, get close and shoot that “headshot” then move back, turn the camera and shoot a full-length horizontal.

When you combine the atmosphere of great lighting, and the sound of the shutter releasing she’ll feel safe, comfortable and confident in her looks as well as your photographic abilities. Along the way explain to her your rationale in posing and composing each image—get her involved in the process and make her aware of the angles, focus, close-ups and never leave her guessing about your intentions.

A white sheet hung on a wall is a good way to create a clutter free background. Add props as needed

Look happy, look sexy, and feel it. Attitude will definitely show through in your pictures if you really enjoy having your picture taken.