5 tips for taking portrait photos with your mobile

If selfies are the fast food of photography, then portrait photos are a gourmet meal – artistic, impressive and with personality. The good news is that you don’t need an expensive camera. We’ll show you how you can also take great portrait shots with your phone.

1. Lighten the mood

Many people feel more comfortable behind a camera rather than in front of it. To make sure your subject is as relaxed as possible, it is important to create an informal atmosphere. Chatting and laughing with one another will help.

2. Occupy the hands

What to do with the hands? Fingers look less awkward holding an object. Another trick is to lean against a banister, wall or staircase. This way, poses will look more natural.

3. Use the light to your advantage

Optimal lighting is key to a successful portrait. While direct sunlight from above and a flash aimed at the face tend to be harsh, use indirect light sources, on cloudy days or in the morning and evening hours to create a soft, flattering light.

4. Focus on the eyes

With portrait photos, the focus is on the face or, more specifically, the eyes. It is important to focus on the eye that is closest to the lens. To adjust the focus on most phones, you simply tap the relevant area of the phone screen. Newer iPhones and Android devices will also adjust the lighting settings and depth of field.

5. Blur the background

The depth of field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that are in acceptably sharp focus in an image captured with a camera. If the DOF is high, the grass in the background will also be in sharp focus. In portrait photography, DOF should be as low as possible. The background will then be slightly blurred, making the subject the centre of focus. The iPhone and some Android-based mobiles have a dedicated Portrait mode for this purpose.