Some tips off the top of my head.
- Try not to use a direct flash. Use ambient (not straight on) sunlight. Try and bounce the sunlight onto your face.
- Use a low f-stop (2.8 - 5.6 max) and a medium lens (110mm is nice). This blurs out the background. Even better, if the background is in sun, and you are in shade (bouncing light onto your face).
- Keep your eyes closed until just before the shutter is released. This gives your eyes a more natural look, and reduces the "deer in the headlights" look.
- Rarely is standing straight toward the camera good, instead turn the body to a slight angle and then turn your head to meet the lens. Experiment with this and find what is your best side, etc.
Most good images come from times when you are not really aware of the camera. This mentality should be emulated when you get in front of the camera. Nervousness is transferred easily.
- Try not to use a direct flash. Use ambient (not straight on) sunlight. Try and bounce the sunlight onto your face.
- Use a low f-stop (2.8 - 5.6 max) and a medium lens (110mm is nice). This blurs out the background. Even better, if the background is in sun, and you are in shade (bouncing light onto your face).
- Keep your eyes closed until just before the shutter is released. This gives your eyes a more natural look, and reduces the "deer in the headlights" look.
- Rarely is standing straight toward the camera good, instead turn the body to a slight angle and then turn your head to meet the lens. Experiment with this and find what is your best side, etc.
Most good images come from times when you are not really aware of the camera. This mentality should be emulated when you get in front of the camera. Nervousness is transferred easily.