Digital Camera Tutorial: Your Digital Camera is More Capable Than You Think

Getting that perfect portrait shot can be accomplished with your basic point and shoot digital camera with just a bit of understanding of your camera's controls. Best of all, nothing too technical is required.

First, find a spot that has good lighting. Outside is often a great choice, depending on the time of day. I prefer morning or later in the afternoon. Any time of day will work though if you remember that the sun can be both your enemy and your friend. Remember, I said I was keeping this non-technical! If the sun is shining in the face of the subject or the photographer, a good shot is just not going to happen. You will want to position the subject so that the natural light from the sun is more off to one side or another. My tried and true rule I follow is that if I am squinting, or my subject is, something is not right.

If you stay indoors, keep these same lighting rules in mind, and still try to bring as much natural light into the session as possible, especially if you want the best portrait you can capture.

Next, play detective and check out your camera's built in settings. A point and shoot digital camera is going to have a selection specific to capturing a portrait photo. Most often, the setting will appear as an image of a person's headshot silhouette. Adjust your camera to this setting.

Composing your subject is your final hurdle. Keep in mind that the best portrait is mainly of a person's head and shoulder section. Whether you step in close or use your zoom, focus in on the subject. The background area should be as clutter free as can be, and in the end will be a bit blurry in comparison to the sharpness of the subject. Try not to take the photo head on. Move off to the side, or have them turn a bit. Try different angles too. Shoot a bit lower or higher than they are. Also, try to avoid the 'extra body part' snafu that is often evident in amateur snapshots. For example, if you are taking pictures of your teenage son to save costs on senior pictures, and he is most comfortable splayed out on the floor playing video games, if you take such a picture face to face, you risk having his feet sticking out of her head. If you take the photo at a bit of an angle, focusing in on his face, you will likely end up with a sharp portrait that tells the story of his gaming, and with no oddly placed feet to ruin the effect.