Rhailo's Cheatsheet [1] Photography | Portraits

Hi. This is a sloppy cheat sheet for interesting prompts. 

There are many guides on site, most of which are very thorough. This is not a guide. I am not thorough. Definitions are standard. This is for ease of access for me but it might be helpful for you as well. If so, power to you.



I WANNA MAKE THE IMAGE INTERESTING:
Note: try these styles in prompts. If they don't work on their own, seek out lora/embedded content to add to your image generator of choice.

Over-the-Shoulder: Shoot over the shoulder of another person or object to create a sense of presence and interaction, making the viewer feel part of the scene.

Underwater: If feasible, take a shot from beneath the water surface, offering a surreal and ethereal view of the subject.

Refraction: Capture the subject through a refractive surface like a glass of water, a crystal ball, or a prism, to distort and play with light.

Shadow Play: Focus on the shadows cast by the subject, rather than the subject itself, to create intriguing and abstract compositions.

Double Exposure: Combine two images of the subject with different angles or settings to create a layered, dreamy effect.

Drone/Aerial: Use a drone to capture the subject from a high altitude, providing a unique, expansive view that highlights the subject's context within a larger environment.

Infrared: Use infrared photography to capture the subject in a different spectrum of light, revealing unexpected and striking details.

Fish-Eye Lens: Utilize a fish-eye lens to achieve a wide-angle, curved effect that exaggerates the dimensions of the subject and the surrounding environment.

Long Exposure: Employ long exposure to capture the passage of time, creating streaks of light or smooth motion blur that adds a dynamic element.

Peeking Through: Photograph the subject through a small opening, like a keyhole or a crack, to create a sense of voyeurism or secrecy.

360-Degree Panorama: Use a panoramic technique to capture the entire environment around the subject, offering an immersive view.

Focus Shift: Play with depth of field by focusing on foreground objects while keeping the subject slightly blurred, or vice versa, to guide the viewer's attention.

Abstract Angles: Experiment with unconventional angles and compositions, capturing the subject in a way that distorts or abstracts its familiar shape.

Zoom Blur: Use zoom blur technique by zooming in or out during the exposure, creating a dynamic, radiating effect around the subject.

Negative Space: Emphasize negative space around the subject to create a minimalist and striking composition that highlights the subject's form and isolation.

Split-Tone Lighting: Use different colored lights to illuminate different parts of the subject, creating a dramatic and visually arresting contrast.

Time-Lapse Sequence: Create a series of photographs showing the subject over a period of time, capturing changes and movement in a single composition.

Subject Interaction: Capture the subject interacting with an unexpected or contrasting element, such as nature with urban environments, to create a thought-provoking image.

Worms-Eye View: Capture the subject from a low angle, looking up. This angle can make the subject appear larger than life, adding a sense of power or grandeur.

Birds-Eye View: Take the shot from directly above the subject. This perspective can reveal patterns, shapes, and relationships that aren't visible from the ground level.

Reflection: Utilize reflective surfaces like water, glass, or mirrors to capture the subject indirectly, adding a layer of depth and intrigue.

Through an Object: Frame the subject through another object, such as a window, doorway, or a natural frame like branches or an arch, to add context and a sense of depth.

Tilted or Dutch Angle: Slightly tilt the camera to create a dynamic, off-kilter effect that adds tension or drama to the image.

Close-Up/Macro: Focus on small details of the subject, such as textures or features, to highlight aspects that are usually overlooked.

Silhouette: Capture the subject in front of a strong light source, creating a striking silhouette that emphasizes shape and form over detail.

From Behind: Photograph the subject from behind to create a sense of mystery and invite viewers to imagine what the subject is seeing or feeling.

Partial View: Only show a part of the subject, cropping out the rest. This can add a sense of intrigue and make viewers curious about what isn't shown.

Motion Blur: Use a slower shutter speed to capture the subject in motion, creating a sense of movement and energy.

Through the Eyes of Another: Capture the subject from the perspective of another character or object within the scene to provide a unique narrative angle.

High Contrast Lighting: Use dramatic lighting to create strong contrasts and shadows, highlighting specific features of the subject and adding mood.



I WANNA EVOKE FEELINGS IN PORTRAITS:

Here are a few phrases I've had success with. Quotation marks are unnecessary for generation. Mix and match as you see fit.

"Captured in the Moment", "Everyday Life Unscripted", "Unseen Narratives", "Behind the Scenes", "Candid Emotions", "Lost in Thought", "Unexpected Encounters", "Public Spaces, Private Moments", "Candid Connection", "Natural Movements", "Through the Crowd".



TELL ME MORE ABOUT STUFF AND THINGS:

Here is a small collection of additional steps you can take to add substance to your prompt. Be prepared for trial and error. Your miles may vary. 

1. Unconventional Angles:
Low Angle: Shoot from a low angle to make the subject appear powerful and dominant.

High Angle: Capture the subject from above for a more vulnerable or introspective look.

Side Profile: Focus on the subject's profile to highlight their facial structure and create a dramatic effect.

2. Interesting Lighting:
Backlighting: Position the subject with a light source behind them to create a halo effect and highlight their silhouette.

Split Lighting: Illuminate one half of the subject's face, creating a moody and dramatic contrast.

Colored Gels: Use colored gels on your lights to add a creative and unique tint to your portraits.

3. Unique Backgrounds:
Textures and Patterns: Use backgrounds with interesting textures or patterns to add depth and context.

Environmental Portraits: Place the subject in a setting that tells a story about who they are or what they do, like their workplace or a favorite location.

4. Props and Accessories:
Incorporate Props: Use props that are meaningful to the subject or add an element of intrigue.

Creative Accessories: Experiment with hats, scarves, glasses, or jewelry to add character to the portrait.

5. Emotional Expression:
Candid Moments: Capture the subject in a natural, unposed moment to reveal genuine emotions.

Direct Eye Contact: Have the subject look directly into the camera to create a powerful connection with the viewer.

Expressive Poses: Encourage the subject to express a range of emotions through their body language and facial expressions.

6. Creative Composition:
Negative Space: Use negative space to draw attention to the subject and create a minimalist, striking composition.

Frame Within a Frame: Use natural or artificial frames within the scene, such as windows, doors, or arches, to add depth and focus.

7. Motion and Movement:
Capture Motion: Incorporate movement by having the subject interact with their environment, like walking, dancing, or tossing their hair.

Long Exposure: Use a slow shutter speed to blur the background while keeping the subject sharp, adding a sense of dynamism.

8. Reflections and Mirrors:
Reflections: Use reflective surfaces like mirrors, windows, or water to create interesting compositions and double images.
Mirror Portraits: Experiment with mirrors to capture multiple angles of the subject in a single shot.

9. Unique Lenses and Techniques:
Wide-Angle Lens: Use a wide-angle lens for a slightly distorted, artistic effect.

Macro Lens: Focus on close-up details, like eyes or hands, to create intimate and detailed portraits.

Lens Flare: Embrace lens flare for a dreamy, ethereal look.

10. Post-Processing Creativity:
Double Exposure: Combine two images to create a surreal, layered effect.

Selective Color: Highlight one color in a black-and-white image to draw attention to specific elements.

Texture Overlays: Add texture overlays in post-processing to give the portrait a unique, artistic feel.

11. Unique Perspectives:
Overhead Shots: Capture the subject from directly above for a fresh perspective.

Through Objects: Photograph the subject through objects like leaves, glass, or fabric to add a creative filter.

12. Interacting with the Environment:
Natural Elements: Incorporate elements like wind, water, or foliage to add a dynamic aspect to the portrait.

Urban Settings: Use urban environments, graffiti, or architectural details to add a modern and edgy vibe.


THIS GUIDE SUCKS:

Yes. Thanks to chatGPT, I condensed a lot of notes and I'm pleased. It's not a proper guide, and if this cheatsheet didn't help you, ehhh. I'm just glad to be done. This was awful to format on my phone.

Msybe I'll make more in the future. We'll see.

Happy prompting. c: