Placing the eyes and chin at the 1/3 mark in the frame is a classic portrait style.
You do not have to have an elaborate studio to take a studio quality portrait. Although many larger cities have studios available for rent, you can create a studio quality photograph by using a white wall as background and a simple reflector for fill light. However, composing and taking a studio photograph is easier if you have at least one photographic light. This light can be either a studio strobe (flash) or a studio hot light (light that produces a constant level of light). Taking a headshot is the most basic form of a studio portrait.
Instructions
1. Select a background that suits the style of your portrait. Using a black background can result in some attractive shadows. However, white or colored backgrounds will work well too.
2. Attach your studio light to the light stand. The exact process for doing this will vary, depending on the stand and the light. In most cases, the light will slip over a stud at the top of the stand. The light will have a thumbscrew to secure the light to the stand.
3. Open the umbrella and insert it in the light. In most cases, there is a channel through the light, but on some stand mounts, the channel may be in the mount. Secure the umbrella with the thumbscrew.
4. Raise the light and adjust it so that it angles down at a 45-degree angle toward the face of your subject. Move the light about 30 degrees in front of the subject.
5. Place the reflector at face level at a 45-degree angle to the face to reflect back some of the light from your studio light. The closer to your subject, the more intense the fill light. The farther away from your subject, the less intense the light reflected back on your subject.
6. Pose your subject to sit with his or her shoulders between a 30-degree and 45-degree angle to the camera.
7. Pose your subject so that he or she is looking directly in the camera. Have the subject tilt his or her head until he or she is in a natural position. A smile may or may not be suitable to the type of portrait you are trying to make.
8. Frame the subject so that the eyes are in the top 1/3 of the frame and the chin is roughly at the bottom 1/3 line of the frame. Experiment a bit until the framing feels natural and comfortable.
