Capturing Faces That Look Natural and Lively in Art-Style Effects

Faces carry the emotion of a portrait. When a sketch effect simplifies detail, expression and pose matter even more.

Expression

• Natural beats posed. A real smile shows in the eyes.
• Talk to your subject and capture in between poses.
• Take several shots. Choose the one with the most life.
• Try candid moments, such as laughing or looking at something off-camera.

The eyes

Eyes are the focus of most portraits.

• Make sure they're sharp. Tap to focus on the eyes.
• Keep them open and lit.
• Catchlights, the small reflections of light in the eyes, add sparkle.
• Glasses: angle the head slightly to avoid glare.

Angles

Angle	Effect
Straight on	direct, honest
Three-quarter view	face turned slightly, flattering and shapely
Profile	strong outline, graphic
Slightly from above	eyes appear larger, often flattering
From below	powerful, can be unflattering

The three-quarter view is a classic for portraits, both in photos and in drawing.

Distance

• Not too close. Very close shots with a wide phone lens can distort features.
• Step back a little and use a mild zoom for more natural proportions.
• Include shoulders for a traditional portrait framing.

Hair and edges

Sketch effects draw strong edges. Check that the outline of the hair and shoulders is clear, especially against the background.

Groups

For group photos:

1. Keep faces at similar heights.
2. Avoid strong shadows across faces.
3. Get everyone in even light.
4. Take multiple shots to find one where everyone looks good.

Children and pets

• Get down to their level.
• Be patient and capture moments as they play.
• Use natural light.

Respect

Always ask permission before sharing a portrait of someone else, and follow the wishes of parents for photos of children.

Try comparing

Take a portrait with a neutral expression and another with a real smile, and apply the same effect to both. The difference in feeling is often striking.

Try Color Photo Sketch →