Starting with the right reference photo can make the difference between “amazing!” and “is that it?”. Knowing what makes a good reference photo can be challenging. Issues like poor lighting, awkward angles, or a low resolution can really affect how well we’re able to capture the personality!
Here, we’d like to share some examples of what makes a good reference photo and what makes a poor reference photo.
Great
What makes this great?
- Highest resolution.
- Shows the personality and highlights the subject’s unique features.
- The subject is framed well with good natural lighting.
Good
What’s good about this one?
- The resolution is high enough to see the details.
- There is some personality showing, though not as much as in the great example.
- The perspective of the photo is not warped.
Poor
What makes this one poor?
- The resolution is low. Details are lost and difficult to make out.
- There is little to no personality about the subject, this could be anyone!
- The subject is framed poorly and mostly in shadow.
Great
Why is this one great?
- Good pose and a great expression that really shows their personality.
- Their whole face is clearly visible.
- Highest resolution possible with good lighting.
Good
What makes this one good?
- Well framed.
- Good resolution and lighting.
- Good pose for a portrait.
Poor
What’s poor about this one?
- Very dark, cannot see details.
- Low resolution.
- The pose is not ideal for a portrait.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!