Jeff Smith's Guide to Head and Shoulders Portrait Photography

Of course, rules are meant to be broken—and you’ll see examples of such

rule-breaking in this very book! It’s fine to do this, as long as you knowwhyyou

are breaking the rules. For example, when creating a portrait of a young lady

in a top with a graphic design, the basic rule would dictate the selection of a

background in a coordinating tone and without texture. However, if you match

the graphic top to an equally graphic background, the face becomes the only

static (non-graphic) part of the image. This will make it stand out and ensure

the viewer’s eye is drawn to it. It breaks the basic rules, but it works.

Using Complete Sets.

While some photographers are happy to create head and shoulders images using

simple materials, like painted canvases and gels, there is no reason not to use sets

for head and shoulders portraits—as a matter of a fact, there are many good

reasons youshoulduse sets! There are two reasons I use sets in my head and

In this image, the subject’s graphic top is
matched with a graphic background. Be-
cause it is the only non-graphic element,
and the only element that is not either
black or white, her face and skin tones
stand out.

There are many

good reasons you

should use sets!