How do you take pictures like this?

[Kfamr]

You know what? I've NEVER EVER used the portrait setting on my camera. I have it, just never used it. I'll have to fool around with it later.

[Giselle]

What the heck? Everybody keeps saying they use the portrait button, but mine NEVER comes out like that. ARGGGHH, I think my camera hates me I'll try the action setting, though (it's the running person, right?). I was just wondering, there's all this talk about focusing. Does that have anything to do with the green squares that pop up when you focus the camera?

Edit: Well, I tried the Macro again with the flash, and it seems to work better if the background is nature-ish.