Digital Portrait Photography: Shoot The Person, Not The Picture!

Digital portrait photography will produce superb results if you are able to see the person you are photographing, as one of your favorite people at that moment.

Digital portrait photography is for you if you care about people, are interested in what drives them, and how they came to be where they are. Good portrait photographers seem to get the best out of their subjects by being fundamentally interested in them, and being able to connect with them, even if it is just for the duration of the shooting session.

With digital portrait photography nothing has changed about the nature of this interaction! However, you will discover a number of creative - and financial! - advantages.

Whether your aim is professional digital portrait photography, or practicing it as a hobby, one of the best ways to go about it is to heed the written advice of experienced professional portrait photographers. Various aspects of this field have been covered in a number of informative books on the subject.

In 'A Comprehensive Guide to Digital Portrait Photography', Duncan Evans covers the different types of digital cameras available, including compact, single-lens reflex (SLR), and specialized models.

He also shows how to create a home studio, and explains the basics of portrait composition, texture, and mood. He includes topics such as color, computer manipulation, using duotones, tritones and sepia tones, and manipulating light and shadow.

A photographer who has published more than one book on digital portrait photography, is Jeff Smith. His books include 'Professional Digital Portrait Photography', where he walks you through the steep learning curve for digital portrait photographers. He shows you how to avoid commonly experienced problems, and he provides various techniques for shooting and editing.

Another of Jeff's books is 'Learn How To Make All Of Your Clients Look Their Very Best!', where he gets very practical about photographing real people, and not just models.

He discusses how to be tactful with people about those aspects of their appearance that they don't want to be highlighted in the portrait image.

His approach is to combine careful lighting, posing, and retouching to correct those flaws. The end-product is a portrait the client will love.

Is you main interest outdoor digital portrait photography? Jeff has also published 'Outdoor and Location Portrait Photography', in which he explains how to understand and control natural light, and how to select the best scene. He also includes tips for posing, selecting clothing, as well as marketing your portraits.

If you are keen to set up a digital studio, don't miss 'Master The Skills You Need To Build A Digital Portrait Photography Business', by Lou Jacobs Jr. This book deals with topics such as the following: how to select your equipment; locating and outfitting a digital portrait photography studio; designing an efficient workflow; and presenting and marketing your work.

Know you camera, be interested in the people you deal with, and you will soon be a master of digital portrait photography.

For more information visit Best-Digital-Photography.com

Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.

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Equipment Essential For Portrait Photography

Portrait photography is fun and not as tough as many new photographers thought. All you need is to learn how to engage your subjects, get the correct equipment and most importantly lots of practice.

Basic photography fundamentals like "Rule of Third", "Depth of Field", etc are still applicable and important when taking portraits. Therefore it is crucial that you have a good foundation of basic photography in order to produce results like a professional.

There is some what I deem as essential photography equipment when it comes to taking portraits. Items like fast lenses, reflector and external flash gun are important and necessary for me to capture good portraits that clients and I can be proud of.

When taking portraits, many photographers like the subject to be sharp with the background being out of focus. This is commonly known as shallow depth of field (DoF) effect and it can be easily achieved by shooting with a wide aperture.

With the help of fast lenses, you are able to achieve shallow DoF effect. The most commonly used ones for portraits are 50mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8. They deliver great results and will not burn a big hole in your pockets.

You may find a reflector helpful under certain conditions to balance the light, filling in the shadows on your subject. A reflector is relatively inexpensive and easy to carry around due to its light weight. You may wish to use the golden side of the reflector to achieve a "warm" finish for your portraits.

External flash gun in my opinion is a very important piece of kit for portrait photography. Pop-up or built-in flash has limited power and flexibility to acquire good shots of your subject. Therefore an external flash gun is very crucial if you are really keen and serious into portrait photography. Of course you may wish to purchase studio lighting kits if budget is not an issue.

There are many different techniques and ways you can adopt when using external flash gun to achieve great different results. Off-shoe mount is a popular technique used for portraits, which can deliver amazing results up to your creativity!

Yong Sak is a passionate a Singapore Freelance Photographer who runs a Photography Portal, sharing important Basic Photography Fundamentals critical for new enthusiastic photographers.

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Family Portrait Photography - Why You Can Take the Perfect Family Portrait

When it comes to Family Portrait Photography it pays for the amateur photographer to be familiar with the basics of the subject. Too many people fall into the trap of assuming there isn't much to taking the perfect portrait; however any professional will tell you that there are numerous 'key' factors that can be the difference between a photo, and a memory. In this article I will walk you through the basics of family portrait photography; giving you the tools to go forth and capture that memory, yourself!

Capturing the perfect memory is all about planning your shot; you need to make sure each factor within your shot is optimised towards accentuating your family. You should firstly consider the background you will be working with; it is very important to choose a background that is relatively dull and repetitive (e.g. a wall or a bush). This will act to add more emphasis towards the people within your shot, instead of jostling for attention as a more complex backdrop would. Another good way to add further emphasis to your family is to take advantage of a frame within your background (e.g. an archway). What this does is to separate the background from your family, which places more importance on the people within your shot.

Now that you've chosen where to take your portrait, you now have to consider the the lighting within your shot. If you have chosen an outdoors setting, then you need to consider the time of day when you are going to take your photo. The Sun's natural light lends itself best to photography at both early morning and late afternoon, so if it is possible to get your family out at either of these times then you should. If positioned in a shaded area then you should make use of your camera's flash. When taking a photo indoors, make sure you always make use of your camera's flash.

The finished portrait does not only rely on the moment, later editing is also a huge factor. Make sure you take multiple photos to account for any mistakes you may miss when initially reviewing your shot, which also gives you a kaleidoscope of different pictures to chose from when selecting the best one. It is also wise to leave sufficient room on the both sides of your family, as any later cropping may result in the loss of limbs if there isn't enough space.

Taking advantage of these simple, but effective hints can be the difference between an amateur family portrait, and the perfect family portrait; so make sure you consider them when you take your next family portrait.

Craig Stewart is a professional photographer and family man situated in Perth with a in depth knowledge of the best ways to capture the perfect family portrait, which he is keen to share with amateur photographers. To learn more about family portrait photographer visit his blog at http://www.photography-perth.com.au/

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Family Portrait Photography Secrets

When it comes to family portrait photography, everyone with a digital camera fancies themselves equipped enough to capture that perfect memory. This may be true as the perfect memory may not be taken with perfect technique, however a decent understanding of portrait photography will go a long way towards ensuring this happens. In this article I will outline some tips and insider secrets which professional photographers utilise every day, yet are still relevant to the amateur photographer.

When considering your shot, the background can be just as important as what is in your foreground. Try and pick a background which will add more emphasis to your focal point; you can do this by finding backdrops which have a repetitive nature (e.g. sky, bushes, wall etc). Doing this will create less interest in the background, and hence highlight the people in your foreground as the focal point. Avoid if possible taking your portrait in front of landmarks; family portraits are meant to place all focus on the people within the shot, and landmarks will take away from this. Another effective technique when it comes to background is framing, which means creating a border around your subjects to further emphasise their importance within the photograph. A good example of a framing device is a doorway or archway.

After deciding on your background, next you need to consider your foreground. Depending on the amount of people in your shot, the placement of each individual can be important towards creating a symmetrical feel, and potentially heightening any relationships you may be trying to create in your portrait. You may decide to include family pets in the photo as well, but be warned that their presence can make the actual photography part much more difficult if they won't stay still.

Now you have to carefully consider the lighting in your shot. If taking your portrait indoors, then make sure you use the flash on your camera. If taking outdoors try and utilise the Sun's natural light, which is generally at its best at either early morning or late afternoon. If taking your portrait in the shade, then it is probably a good idea to make use of the flash here as well. Lighting can go a long way towards creating the perfect family portrait, so make sure you get it right.

The most guaranteed way towards capturing the perfect family portrait is to take multiple photos and check your digital camera's LCD screen for any possible mistakes. Taking multiple photos will increase your chances of getting the perfect one, while compensating for any errors you might miss when reviewing the shot on your digital camera. You should also take into account any post-shot touch ups that might be needed, such as cropping on the outsides of the photo. Cropping means cutting of sections of the photo (generally this can add more symmetry to your photo, or take out any irrelevant parts), so make sure you leave enough space on each side of the portrait to ensure no-one loses an arm later on.

Whether taking your portrait indoors or somewhere in the beautiful landscapes found in Perth make sure you take advantage of these tips, as they will go a long way towards ensuring your family portrait is as perfect is it can be.

Craig Stewart is a professional photographer and family man situated in Perth with a in depth knowledge of the best ways to capture the perfect family portrait, which he is keen to share with amateur photographers. To learn more about family portrait photographer visit his blog at http://www.photography-perth.com.au/

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Five Tips on How to Be More Instinctive With Portrait Photography

The challenge with portrait photography is, without a doubt, producing a portrait that does not have your subject appearing rigid, anxious, or just simply uncomfortable, resulting in awkward smiles conspicuously displayed in the final portrait.

A portrait photographer will need to gain his or her subject's trust in order that they might loosen up and become actively involved in the sitting. The results will be more natural and the subject will be so pleasant to work with. The result will be portraits that are not only attractive but also vibrant with the subject's true nature memorialized in the image.

How can the portrait photographer involve their subject in such a way that they will be their most natural self and the photo session completed in an easy and natural manner?

Following are five tips for a productive portrait photography session:

Occupy the hands

Portrait photography primarily involves a head and shoulders shot. One of the primary stressors for the subject is what to do with the hands. Giving the focus of the portrait something to hold will keep their mind away from concentrating on their posture, resulting in a much more relaxed piece of work. Since some portraits may be full body photos, including an object that is comfortable but not distracting can put the subject at ease.

Use a chair

For some reason, people are uncomfortable standing in front of a camera. Consequently, portrait photographers will usually have a chair available. A chair could possibly be the handiest tool a photographer can have when taking portrait images. With this prop, there exists more of a casual atmosphere allowing you to exploit and complete your various shots.

Use shifting techniques

Your subject has an idea in their mind what a portrait should look like. It is the portrait photographer's responsibility to utilize their professional skills to bring the subject's ideas to reality. Allow some interaction time for allowing them to talk about subjects of interest or about the things they are passionate about. You will be amazed how that special glint in the eye will come through and the facial expression will come through.

As the portrait photographer, you and your subject will interact to create that special mood and ambiance. You will discover that using a handheld camera will allow you to capture unique angles and expressions that you cannot achieve with a fixed location camera. Using these techniques, you will be shifting the attention away from the lights and equipment to concentrating on the person photographed.

Involve your client

The portrait photographer needs to remember that this is the client's portrait and not that of the photographer. Respect for the individuals involved is mandatory. The photographer should be aware of any time constraints the client might have. He or she should also have a good understanding as to what the subject wishes.

If you are trying something the customer does not understand, be sure to explain why you are taking such actions. You do not want to catch your clients off guard, as that confusion will end up appearing in the final product.

Be prepared

Be sure all equipment is set up and in good working order prior to your client arriving on site. Nothing will raise the level of anxiousness more than having the client suffer through times of setting up proper lighting and ensuring everything is working. Find out some general information about the subject of the shoot. What are they anticipating from this session? Is the scene free from external distractions? Allowing the appropriate amount of time for the shoot will prevent rushing to complete the task at hand and will leave the photographer with a much happier customer.

In portrait photography, all five tips above are essential if you desire your subjects or clients to be more at ease in front of the camera resulting in the most natural portraits possible.

Raleigh Conrad has always had a fascination for consumer electronics. The purchase of his first digital camera opened up a completely new world of interest. Now with Gemini Turntables there is another new world of interest in converting old vinyl records and even 78-rpm shellacs to new digital formats. Join Raleigh as he explores this new world at http://usbturntables.rockingchairwisdom.com

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Five Tips On Promoting And Marketing Your Portrait Photography Website

The portrait photography business is a competitive industry filled with a wide variety of portrait photographers with skill levels of all ranges. Unfortunately, being a quality portrait photographer doesn't always mean that your business will be booming. There are hundreds if not thousands of talented professional portrait photographers in the United States who are not getting the results they want or the business they need to meet their financial goals.

Please consider the following marketing and promotional tips for your portrait photography website. The fact of the matter is that marketing is the most important aspect of having a successful portrait photography business. If you want to make succeed as a portrait photographer, the following tips should be very helpful.

Tip #1: Website!

Since the dawn of the Internet age, websites have become the most powerful and effective strategy for photographers to showcase their respective portfolios. If you don't have a website by now then you might as well forget about increasing your business. Even for the photographers who have been in business for 30 plus years, a website is an essential thing to have. Not having one is akin to not having a telephone number: it's that important!

Tip #2: Your website must be impressive!

Your website is you. That is, your website is a virtual you. When potential clients visit your website, they are looking at something that is an extension of who you are. It is imperative that they are impressed with the look and feel of your website as well as the presentation of your images and content. It never ceases to amaze me at how many portrait photographers have websites that look sloppy, unprofessional and downright ugly! If you want to gain business as a result of your presence on the Internet, you absolutely must have a professionally designed, easily navigable and aesthetically pleasing website. If your website is missing any of these elements, I would advise you to remove it from the Internet. It's better to leave no impression at all rather than a poor impression!

Tip #3: Finding a qualified web designer

Be sure to do your homework before plunking down thousands of dollars for your new website. Be sure to carefully review your prospective web designer's portfolio. Find out whether the website they will build for you is a custom, one of a kind website or a template website. Although custom websites cost more, they are usually worth the money as they will set you apart from the competition. It's never a good thing for a photographer to have an identical website as another photographer in the industry.

Be sure to find out exactly what is included in the price they quote you for the new website and review the contract carefully to ensure there are no surprises.

Tip #4: Marketing your website

Just having a good looking website isn't enough these days. Getting found on the search engines for high value keywords is one of the most effective ways in increasing your portrait inquiries. A well-known portrait photographer in Denver, Colorado - Julie Harris--estimates that 80 - 90% of her portrait inquiries can be directly attributed to her high search engine rankings on Google, Yahoo and MSN. "Without the traffic to my website, I don't know where my business would be," says Ms. Harris.

The effectiveness Search Engine Optimization and Search Marketing cannot be overstated. The Internet is full of free articles that will help you figure out how to go about implementing a successful website marketing and promotion campaign. You may also want to consider hiring a professional SEO consultant to help you with your website marketing strategies.

Tip #5: Maintaining and updating your website

Keeping your website up do date and fresh is extremely important. Try to get into the habit of uploading new work to your portfolio on a monthly or bimonthly basis. If you have a great portrait session, replace some of your older stuff with the new images. This will ensure that you're always showing off your best work and it will encourage people to keep visiting your website to see your new work.

Jesse Chatham is the founder of www.photographik.org and encourages you to visit the site to find the best portrait photographers in the United States.

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How to Do Portrait Photography

If you are a budding photographer who is looking for talent in photography, then you should probably try Portrait Photography. In this kind of photography you will need to be a peoples person, interacting well with people. The reason for this, is that when you are taking portraits of people you want to do a good job so as to please your clientele. More often if your portrait is comfortable and calm then it makes the photograph more memorable.

You will have to be a social photographer and learn how to make your clients feel at ease when you are taking photos of them. When people are unease it is usually portrayed on the photo. So if you want your clients to keep coming back for more portrait photography then you will have to make them feel relaxed, this way you get to take good shots that will please them. Dealing with clients who are kids will be the hardest task you have ever undertaken and your social skills will have to come into play here more than ever. To make children clients more at ease you can always entice them with something that will spark their interest. Toys would be a good bet

Portrait photography is not as easy as most photographers soon find out. It is quite a lucrative gig that you will probably enjoy. This kind of photography will take practice and it is best to try with people close to you first and then move on from there. If your work gets to be good and you are ready to go to the public then go ahead and try just remember to ask your client to smile.

Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Photography. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIES If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!

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Learn Digital Photography - How to Be Good in Portrait Photography

Portrait photography can be fun and yet difficult to master. It is normal to see photographers struggling with the subject's pose and sometime things can get ugly when the photographer and subject can't agree on the pose.

That is when you need to talk to your models and make them understand all you want to do is to get the best out of them. You are aiming for that special glow that only your model can show. Of course then you have to listen to their feedback and see what they want in their picture. It is their pictures after all.

When both of you are relax, look seriously at your subject. Look at their face and see what is so special about your subject. A good portrait photographer can see the character of a person from his or her face and know how to put the lighting to properly illuminate your model. Some said that you can even tell a person's story with portrait photography when you look hard enough.

Now, impressing your models with their portrait is easy when you can capture their pictures in a different perspective. Everyone is unique in their own way and looking at that, shouldn't everyone have their own special portrait? You can ask your model to look away from the camera and focus on his face. Or you can get your model to rest her head on her palm so that you can focus on her gaze. What you need to do here is to be creative and shoot out of the box.

Besides that, good portrait photographers can make do with the equipments they already have. It is true that you can get better picture when you have better equipments. But looking at the speed of the digital cameras being release to the market today, do you know how much money you need to invest to get all the equipments in your hand?

So, what you need to do is to zoom in to your model when you are practicing portrait photography because wide lens might make your model look "wide" and you will hard time explaining that to them.

Lastly, practice does make digital photography better. Seriously, have you ever fail to be better in things that you do over and over again? You might have spent a lot of time thinking of how you need to pose your model when you started this but once you have build the experience, you will know how to prep your model for the camera with just a single glance.

Do you enjoy taking photos? Do you want more digital photography tips and techniques? Just look at

=> http://www.Learn-DigitalPhotography.blogspot.com

Michael Wong is happy to share his knowledge about digital photography with you and hope you enjoy them.

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Learn the Art of Great Family Portrait Photography

Family portrait photography has become more than just photographs of your family.

Many modern photographers now view portraits as a form of artistic expression. The feeling is that a well composed portrait can show the bond shared by the family, how they feel, and represent who they are.

Portraits are no longer just about smiling and staring into the camera. They can be both unique and creative.

Each family is different and an artistic family picture can express the individuality of each particular family's distinctive qualities and relationships. When the family members, and anyone else for that matter, look at a modern family portrait, it should be possible to have the power to invoke feelings and emotions much like fine art does.

Artistic portraits of a family can tell a story, and even one solitary image can induce profound emotional reactions, within that family. What makes an artistic portrait different from the older portraits?

Traditionally, family portraits were taken with everyone standing or sitting stiffly, in a uniform group, all looking straight at the camera. Now many artistic photographers have changed all that.

Composition, and consideration of the rules of composition such as the Rule of Thirds, is aimed to create something that is more than a snap or stiff conventional group.

Examples could be a couple who may stare lovingly into each others eyes, or portraits of a family, artistically composed, with a new baby which could have all the members gazing at the subject baby.

A dramatic effect could also be accomplished by having the family members looking in different directions and perhaps at different angles. Conventional family portrait photography featured the family grouped in the center of the frame but now the artistic appearance of a family off-center or asymmetrically arranged can add a special dimension, or depth to the image.

On a practical note, when composing your image try arranging your subjects in odd numbers if possible as odd numbers always work better than even numbers, with three the best number of all, of course.

You will see that posing three people in a triangle gives a very pleasing result.

If there are only two people try to avoid side-by-side pictures - have one slightly behind or ahead of the other.

Four people can be problem but you can stagger them i.e. as two people plus two people.

When you have more than four people, you can try to stagger them in a diagonal line.

Different angles can also introduce a new element to the portrait. Rather than the typical straight on shot, the photograph can be taken from an elevated position.

The photograph could also be shot from below, looking up at the family, or from the side or any number of other angles. These alterations in perspective can completely change the whole look and feel of the image. Colors, or lack of color can dramatically affect the appearance of the image as well.

For example, dramatic emphasis can be added to a photo by creating a black and white portrait. Black and white or sepia colored portraits can often stand out and appear more elegant. Art offers limitless possibilities for the enhancement of family portrait photography.

Your portrait should exhibit your family's individuality, and the right photograph will be both a record of your family and an artistic expression of who and what they are.

David Whittle has written articles on digital photography aimed at getting beginners and novices out there taking great shots as soon as possible.

You can get further free tips at http://www.simpledigitalphototips.com

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Lighting for Portrait Photography (Part 1): Behavior of Light

Light is the raw material of a photographer. Much as the painter works with paint and the sculptor works with stone, the photographer works with light. This analogy is not precise however, because as the painter and sculptor work with actual material substances, the photographer works with a form of energy. Understanding the behavior of this form of energy that we call light, is foundational to your success as a portrait photographer. A painter may not need to know the chemical and physical properties of each component of her paints, but she must completely understand how to blend the different colors, and how the paints behave as she applies them to the canvas. Just as a painter or sculptor must gain masterful insight into the behavior of the raw materials of their arts, so must the portrait photographer gain a keen understanding of the behavior of light.

The first prerequisite for photography is light being emitted from a source. Just think about it, without light, photography is impossible. Light may be emitted from a natural source, such as the sun, or from an artificial source, such as strobes or constant light sources. In 1931, the strobe was developed for use in still photography by Harold Edgerton [http://www.edgerton.org/biography.html], an electrical engineer from MIT. Today, the strobe is by far the most used light source in the portrait studio. Advantages of strobe lighting for portrait studio photography include: reasonably precise control of light intensity and light color temperature, low heat generation compared to a constant light source, and low power consumption for the amount of light output.

The most important property of light to the portrait photographer is the light's intensity or brightness. There are several ways of controlling the intensity of light striking the subject. In the studio, the power supply of modern strobes may be adjusted. The strobes may be positioned farther away from the subject. Outdoors, you may take advantage of cloud cover or the overhang of a tree or building, or even the time of day, to control the intensity of the incident light on the subject. These methods are effective for controlling the average (overall) light intensity of the composition. Many devices have been developed to control the relative intensities of light (specular highlights) of specific areas within a composition. Devices such as scrims, gobos, snoots, grid spots, and barn doors, are commonly used to partially block, direct, or otherwise control the relative light intensities within a composition.

Another property of light of great importance to the portrait photographer is the light's color temperature. Pure white light is the result of an equally balanced mixture of the three primary colors: red, green, and blue. In different lighting conditions (e.g. cloudy versus full sun), the proportions of the color mixture may vary. Normally, the human brain automatically compensates for this, and you do not notice the difference as you leave one lighting condition and enter another. Film can not make this same automatic compensation. Therefore, differences in color temperature must be manually adjusted for by the photographer. Color temperature of various light conditions is commonly stated in degrees Kelvin. There are three standard color temperature rated films commonly used by photographers. "Daylight" film is designed to be exposed by 5500K light, and "indoor" film is designed to be exposed by 3400K light, or 3200K light for professional "indoor" film. For a greater degree of control over the white balance when using film, color correction filters are used. Most if not all digital SLR cameras have a white balance adjustment to electronically compensate for changing color temperatures encountered in various light conditions. In digital photography, when shooting in RAW format, the color temperature can easily be corrected in Photoshop.

A third property of light that is very important to the portrait photographer is contrast. A light source has high contrast if its rays all strike the subject at approximately the same angle. A light source that is diffuse has low contrast, because its rays strike the subject from many different angles. High contrast light sources produce shadows with a hard edge, while low contrast light sources produce shadows with a soft edge. This is because with a high contrast light source, where the rays all approach the subject from approximately the same angle, no light enters the edge of the shadow and the shadow's edge remains distinct. A light source's relative contrast is generally determined by the size of the light source and its distance from the subject. The sun on a clear day is relatively small in our sky, and therefore it is a high contrast light source producing hard edged shadows. On a cloudy day, the light from the same sun is spread out and diffuse. Effectively the entire sky becomes a low contrast light source, producing very soft edged shadows. In the studio, we have many light modifiers available to us, to control the effective size of the light source and thereby control the level of contrast. For any given size of a light source, as it is positioned farther and farther away from the subject we see that it effectively becomes smaller and smaller, yielding higher and higher levels of contrast, albeit lower and lower intensity.

Light acts on any subject it may strike. This much may be obvious. But every subject also acts on any light that strikes it. A subject may act on light in three distinct ways: refraction, absorption, and reflection. Refraction is the bending of light waves as they pass through a transparent material such as glass. In fact, the refractive property of glass is what is manipulated within the photographic lens, to focus an image onto the film (or digital image sensor). Absorption is the process whereby certain materials convert light energy into some other form of energy (usually heat). The absorptive property of a black painted foam core board may be used by the photographer to selectively "subtract" light, so that it does not bounce around the studio in an undesirable way.

Of the three ways a subject may act on the light striking it, reflection is the most important to the photographer. Reflection is an abrupt change in the direction of propagation of light waves that strikes the surface of the subject. In direct reflection, the light rays bounce from a smooth surface at the same angle at which they hit it. The intensity of the direct reflection mirrors the intensity of the light source. Glare, such as observed on the surface of a body of water, is a polarized direct reflection. Unlike direct reflection however, glare reflection always has a lower intensity than the light source producing it. Glare reflection may be controlled or eliminated by using a polarizing filter. Diffuse reflections occur when light from a source is reflected equally in all directions by the surface it strikes. In theory, diffuse reflections are the same intensity no matter what angle they are viewed from. The intensity of a diffuse reflection increases as the light source is moved closer to the subject. The Inverse Square Law says that the intensity of the diffuse reflected light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the light source and the subject. This implies, a light source at any given distance from the subject will light the subject with an intensity that is four times greater than the same light source moved to twice the distance from the subject.

An understanding of the behavior of light is a prerequisite to understanding how to control the light. We see that light can act on any subject it strikes. Intensity or brightness, color temperature, and contrast are the three properties that are of most concern to the portrait photographer. Any subject also acts on light that strikes it, either through refraction, reflection, absorption, or some combination of the three. In portrait photography, light is controlled to achieve optimum overall exposure of a composition, to develop of specular highlights, to reveal and enhance textures, forms and color saturation, and to build a three dimensional perspective. In Part 2 of this article, the fundamentals of controlling the overall exposure of a composition using the camera are discussed. Until then, good day and happy clicking.

Steve Barnes is a professional portrait photographer, free lance writer, and co-owner of Hayley Barnes Photography, in League City, Texas. Please visit his website at: Hayley Barnes Photography. Elegant portrait photographer. Children, Families, High School Seniors, and Quinceañeras. "Custom Designed, Uniquely You" [http://www.hayleybarnesphoto.com]

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Lighting for Portrait Photography (Part 2): Controlling Exposure within the Camera

The term "photography" derives from the Greek "phos", meaning light, and "graphis", meaning to write or draw. If photography is defined as, the art and science of fixing images on a sensitive surface through the action of light, we see that at least some understanding of the nature of light and how to control it is fundamental to one's success as a photographer. In Part 1 of this article, the behavior of light as it concerns the portrait photographer is addressed. Now we shall begin to explore methods used by the portrait photographer to control the behavior of light in rendering artistic interpretations of their subject. There are many aspects involved in manipulating light for the purpose of portrait photography. One fundamental aspect is exposure. The degree of sensitivity to light (photosensitivity) of the surface on which an image is to be fixed, dictates the required length and intensity of exposure.

The aperture of the modern camera lens is designed to control the intensity of light falling on the film (or digital image sensor). In simple terms, the aperture is a hole or opening, through which the light reflected by the subject is admitted to the camera. The intensity of the reflected light being admitted to expose the film (or image sensor) is controlled by the size of this opening. The size of the aperture opening is commonly stated in "f/stops". F/stops may seem confusing at first. The f/stop value represents a fractional opening of the aperture, and therefore a decrease of one f/stop results in the intensity of light being admitted into the camera to approximately double, and an increase by one f/stop results in the intensity of light being cut by half. One may prematurely conclude, proper exposure is obtained simply by adjusting the size of the aperture until the intensity of light admitted is just right. However, the depth of field (range of distance in front of and behind the subject that is in focus) is also a function of the size of the aperture opening. In general, depth of field increases as the size of the aperture opening decreases.

Controlling exposure is also achieved by controlling the duration of the light striking the film (or image sensor). To control the duration of the exposure, modern cameras employ a shutter. The shutter may be thought of as a curtain with an opening or slit that passes in front of the film (image sensory) at a controlled duration or speed. Shutter speeds are expressed in seconds, and fractions of a second. A shutter speed of 1/100 allows twice the duration of exposure as a shutter speed of 1/200. The resolution of an image is partly determined by the duration of exposure in capturing the image. A typical approach in portrait photography is to set the size of the aperture to yield the desired depth of field, and set the shutter speed to achieve an acceptable exposure level.

A third fundamental parameter that is manipulated to control exposure when capturing an image is the film speed, commonly stated as an ISO/ASA number. Film speed is a quantitative description of the chemically derived photosensitivity of the material used in the film. The higher the ISO number, the more photosensitive the film is. Faster film speeds enable action shots and low light images to be easily captured. However, faster film speeds can also result in increased perceived graininess in an image and decreased sharpness and detail. Similarly, the ISO number on many modern digital cameras may be adjusted to control the sensitivity of the digital image sensor, with similar effect.

Light is controlled within the camera by manipulating the intensity and duration of exposure, and by selecting an appropriate speed of film for the light conditions, or adjusting the sensitivity of the digital image sensor. These methods work very well to control the average or overall exposure of the composition. A finer degree of control of the light to enhance specular highlights, falloff, and softness of shadows, is best achieved outside the camera. There are many methods employed to accomplish this. In Part 3 of this article, several such methods will be discussed. Until then, good day and happy clicking.

Steve Barnes is a professional portrait photographer, free lance writer, and co-owner of Hayley Barnes Photography, in League City, Texas. Please visit his website at: Hayley Barnes Photography. Elegant portrait photographer. Children, Families, High School Seniors, and Quinceañeras. "Custom Designed, Uniquely You" [http://www.hayleybarnesphoto.com]

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Mastering Portrait Photography

The need for portrait photography has a massive global market. Considering that there could scarcely be a household which does not need a portrait done at some point. For example the growing children would need to have a portrait produced every year. Photographs of the whole family through the generations are also extremely popular.

The Portrait Photography business is amongst one of the most viable options for the Photographer. The Portrait option is one big money making alternative provided that the Photographer is competent and committed to taking quality portraits.

The venture is simple to initiate and can be begun from home in a spare room. Or even a garage, to keep the costs down whilst you build the business.

The start up needs are modest considering that all it would require to start up a Portrait Photography business would be buying a tripod, the camera, a few lights and some backdrops.

The success in making money from Portrait Photography would depend on being in possession of a high level of self confidence, considering that the photographer would need to guide and direct the group and individuals alike for an effective creation of Portraits. So it would help if the Photographer was a people person and made the experience fun for the customers.

Money can be made from selling the Photographs in a wide range of formats and presented in different ways.

A background can do many things to a photograph. It can change the mood of your photograph, make it look as if the subject is in a variety of situations ranging from a tropical backdrop through to a ambient lighting set up.

Using the background to contrast and bring out the best coloring in your subject, can be done by using solid colors as backdrops. The colors will depend on the lighting, the clothes the subject is wearing, and their actual coloring of the subject.

The background can also bring out the personality of your subject. Fun backgrounds can bring out their humor. It is up to you to bring out these important factors in your subject. To use your creativity and technical knowledge.

It is good to discuss with your clients what sort of backgrounds you should be using for their photographs and give them a choice and involve them in the process. Think about atmosphere, coloring and places that a background can bring to the picture.

Have fun and enjoy the experience. Also work in your own personality and style into the final Photography.

For more information on photography, and to claim a Free 'Getting started in Photoshop' ebook visit [http://www.gordonpowles-media.com/learn-photography.htm]

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More Portrait Photography Tips and Tricks For Great Portraits

In my last article on portrait photography tips and tricks we discussed some new or different ways to approach a portrait. Portrait photography can be the most difficult and the most rewarding type of photography. Difficult because it is a portrait and you want to have the subjects personality show. Most rewarding because when you can get that to happen you have more than just a photo, you have a portrait.

Here are some more portrait photography tips and tricks to get you thinking out of the box and engage your subject for a great photo.

Candid Camera

No, I'm not telling you to use a hidden camera but to get candid shots. Posed portraits can look artificial and staged. When you get your subject involved in doing something your pictures are likely to be more natural and show more of your subject's individuality. What is your subject's hobby? Are they a gardener? Do they tinker with old cars? Are they a cook? Get them involved in what they love and it will show in the portrait. Use a long zoom lens if you like so you feel less intrusive. Of course action sports shots like skiing, hiking, sailing, climbing etc are wonderful but unless you also participate in the sport, they're pretty tough on the photographer!

Use a Prop

This technique is especially good with kids. Give them something to play with and all you need to do is keep up! You do need to make sure the prop doesn't become the focus of the portrait instead of the subject. Do allow the prop to add interaction and a sense of place and story to the portrait and show your subject in a different light, adding another layer to them.

Focus on One Part of the Body

Get close up on just part of your subject and not necessarily the face. Think how much a person's hands say about them, especially if they work with those hands as an artist or craftsman. What would the feet of a dancer show about your subject? Or a many-pierced ear? Or the back of a neck with a small tattoo just glimpsed in part of the picture?

All of these portrait photography tips and tricks add interest to the portrait as well as showing parts of your subject's personality that might not otherwise show in a more traditional portrait.

I'm an amateur portrait photographer. My favorite subjects are portraits of dogs and kids, especially together. Stop by PHOTOGRAPHYPOSE.INFO for tips on how to pose models and taking great portraits.

Natural Light Children's Portrait Photography Business - Easy And Inexpensive To Get Started

Children's portrait photography is one of the most lucrative businesses out there. What's more, it is also one of the easiest to market to. The reason is simple. Just look around you-almost anywhere you go you see people with children-they're everywhere! And just about all of them want beautiful, professional portraits of their children. They know they're kids won't be kids forever, and that the snapshots they take themselves are not all they want to have to document their lives. They realize that by having a professional take portraits of their kids, they'll have an even better record of their child's appearance and personality. Yes, there always be those who will be alright with only having half-focused snapshots and still others who will settle for cheap, chain-store photography. But there are LOTS of people out there who recognize the difference in low-grade photography and professional photography-that it is artistic-and that even at higher prices, it is a much better value to them.

It is easy to break into this market because of the emotional relationship parents have with their children. Appeal to those emotions, convince them that they NEED (not want) to have their child's portrait taken by the best photographer in the area (YOU), and that they get what they pay for when it comes to photography, and you'll have all the clients you need. While it might seem that there is a lot of competition in this area, there really is enough business to go around for you and all of your competitors. All you need to do is set yourself apart from the pack.

"Traditionally-trained" photographers believe you must own a studio, belong to a professional photography association and follow all of its rules in order to be successful. This simply is not true. You can be extremely successful as a portrait photographer with just a few simple ideas: specialize in photographing children, photograph them in comfortable environment, and use natural light. Using this method, you will no longer require a studio, fancy lighting equipment, backdrop stand and backdrops. The children you photograph will be happy because they are not being forced to sit on a backdrop in front of scary-looking lights while you try to get a fake smile from them. The results of a natural portrait session are obvious-real smiles from happy children.

Let's look at all the benefits of choosing this style of photographing children:

o No rent: You automatically eliminate one of the biggest drains on your budget-overhead, which includes rent for a studio, utilities and interior decorating. This leaves you significantly more money for the most important part of your business-marketing.

o Very little equipment maintenance: The only equipment you'll need to do this kind of photography is a camera (and a computer, if you are using digital), so that is all the equipment you'll need to maintain.

o Work from home: You'll be able to work from the comfort of your own home, not answering to a boss anymore. Set your own schedule, doing sessions only when they are convenient for you. This leads directly to my next point-more time with your family.

o More time with your family: The flexibility of working from home and setting your own schedule will allow you to be there for the important events in your family's life. You'll never have to miss another dance recital or soccer game-simply schedule sessions around them!

o Save time and effort: A lot of time and energy goes in to setting up equipment, especially when you work on location. Natural portraiture eliminates this completely.

o Fun: Without all of the constraints of "traditional" portrait photography, you'll enjoy your work! If you're like me, you'll actually end up looking forward to your sessions with great anticipation.

o No thinking about equipment, just focus on session: You'll also enjoy being able to focus more on the artistic part of the session, since you won't be worried about whether or not your main light fired or if your subject is too close to the backdrop lights. Just relax and snap away.

In my opinion, the easiest and least expensive photography business to start is one that specializes in natural-light photography of babies and children. Because you can get going with such a low budget makes it a perfect choice for those who want to work from home and make a living with photography.

Angela Griffin is the founder of [http://www.photomarketingsuccess.com] and author of the course Marketing Magic for Children's Portrait Photography. Angela invites you to stop by [http://www.photomarketingsuccess.com] for free information on starting your own business, marketing it for success and lots of other resources for portrait photographers.

Photography Basics - Portrait Photography Tips

People are easily the number one subject for photographs. From party snaps, to photos of children and travel shots of family members in front of famous monuments, millions upon millions of people photographs are taken every single say of the year.

Portrait photography is a little different to general people photography. The intent of portrait photography is capture and display something of the 'essence' of a person; to say something about their character, personality, or life.

The three most important things to get right in portrait photography are camera settings, lighting, and your relationship with your model.

Camera settings for portrait photography

Because taking portrait photographs is all about a person's face (or if it's a wider shot, their head-and-shoulders), classic portrait photography settings seek to remove anything distracting from the background of the shot. This mimics the effect of looking at someone's face from very close up, and makes the subject 'pop' (this is photographer-speak for 'stand out and capture attention').

The way to achieve a distraction-free portrait photo is to use a wide aperture, often as wide as possible (f/2.8 or f/4 are popular choices). Wide apertures produce a shallow depth-of-field, which renders anything far from the plane of best focus - i.e. the background - as a soft blur.

Aside from a wide aperture, the only other important setting is ISO. This should be as low a number as possible (e.g. ISO 100), as higher ISOs will lead to digital noise, which is particularly ugly in a portrait.

There's one offshoot of portrait photography where the recommended settings are different, and that's environmental portrait photography. Environmental portrait photography seeks to show a person in their 'natural habitat', which is often their workplace. Here you want to show the background, so a smaller aperture is appropriate.

Lighting for portrait photography

Lighting in portrait photography can be as complicated as you like. Professional portrait photography is almost always done in a studio, where the lighting can be 100% controlled. If you're reading this, chances are you don't have your own photography studio, so let's discuss a simple lighting scheme you can set up at home.

First, position your model at a window. The light coming from the window should be bright, but not direct (i.e. not coming directly from the sun). You model should be facing you, side on to the window. Light from the window light will obviously light up the side of their face that is closest to it. Then, position something on the other side of your model that will bounce reflected light from the window onto the other side of their face. Anything white or reflective will do, for example a piece of white cardboard or a sheet of aluminum.

Now you have a basic, flattering light scheme, with the main light source on one side of your model's face, and 'fill' light from the reflector on the other. Don't forget that you should frame the shot close enough that the reflector is not in the shot.

Interacting with your subject

Portrait photography inevitably says something about the relationship between photographer and subject. Unless you're shooting professional models, the hardest thing about taking portrait photos is not in fact camera settings or lighting, but ensuring that your model is comfortable and relaxed enough to give you good results. A model who feels awkward, uncomfortable or self-conscious will not photograph well.

Often the best strategy to relax your model is simply to engage them in conversation, as this will take their mind off the camera. They'll probably get more comfortable with the process after you've rattled off a few shots, so schedule a decent amount of time and plan on taking your best shots towards the end of the session.

Tobias Sterling is a featured writer on Clivir.com - The Free Learning Community Site. He provides more tips and guide on Beginners Photography Basics and Portrait and People Photography on Clivir.

Portrait Photography - 5 Great Tips to Get You Started

Most people who know how to point and operate a camera are able to make a portrait photograph. However, there are of course differences in the amateur and professional portrait. Professional portrait photographers have certain abilities and techniques that let them get the best out of their subjects.

A portrait photograph does not only mean a person's image. It shows character and emotion as well as employing professional approaches. If you want to start shooting portraits and don't know the essential elements, here are five tips that can give you a good start.

1. Plan

Be sure that you are ready before you go to the photo shoot. Not only that you have all the equipment that you need, but be sure that you can handle the job properly. Prepare all the necessary materials and be sure to bring a good topic for conversation so that your subject can relax while you are shooting. Document your scene and itemize all tools and props you are going to need. Review this list carefully and make sure nothing is missing.

2. Rapport

Building rapport with your subject is the first thing that you should learn how to achieve. Interest in knowing your subjects are a plus. If you get to know your subject and they know you, they will become more comfortable in front of the camera. When the shoot comes, you have better chances of getting the best natural expressions of the people you are photographing. Sit your subject and initially discuss anything to put them at ease. Many photographers from the film days would spend some time snapping without film for a "rapport time". Then when they felt the subject was at ease, then use film. With digital this is not necessary, but you get the point.

3. Personality

Try to make sure that your photos will show the personality of your subject. You can only do this if you know the person. So if you don't know them, get to know them. You can do this in the initial discussion before the session as well as observation during the session. Discover something about the person and their characteristics and try to show this in the photographs. Make sure that their personality shows in their faces. Personality usually appears when the subject is not expecting a shot or is comfortable with you and the equipment.

4. Background

Most portraits have light or dark backgrounds to emphasize the subject. You can also use the environment to add more character to your subject. Also, be sure that the colors of your background and the dress of your subject complement each other. Sometimes backgrounds become the flaw of a picture because the photographer took it for granted. Plain black or white paper or material backgrounds are the favorite choice of professional portrait photographers.

5. Lighting

Most photographers prefer studio lighting as it provides the photographer with much more control than natural light. However, some professionals choose natural lighting but this can be difficult to achieve, as a studio has to be purpose built around the natural elements of the sun. Be sure that light is interesting and flattering, or that it satisfies the angle that you want to emphasize. Portrait photographers generally use two or more lights, underexposing one side of the face by up to one stop. Lighting can have a dramatic effect especially if you want a professional looking photograph.

Portrait photography is a really enjoyable hobby. If you're serious in making it your career, you can be sure that it can be lucrative as long as you perfect your craft. However, remember that you should have the heart for the job because portrait photography's first requirement is human interest

Roo du Jardin is a photographer who runs an informational website about Online Photography Courses. Read some more tips, techniques and resources at Online Photography Courses blog.

Portrait Photography - A Primer

Portrait photograpy is the art of capturing human faces in a number of situations and capturing a variety of emotions. The whole idea is to adequately capture the personality of the subject as well as their image. Portrait photography doesn't have to be restricted to the studio either, as many people wish their portraits to be shot on location or in their own homes as well as the the traditional studio setup. Plus, one less glamourous aspect of portrait photography is for pictures used on official documents such as passports and the like.

With portrait style photography, the emphasis is very much on the subject themselves rather than the backdrop, but this doesn't mean that you cannot be creative with the composition of each shot. After all, we've all seen those rigid, awkward portraits with cheap backgrounds where the subject is sat staring at the lens and wishing for it all to be over.

Creative portrait photography can capture so much more of a person's personality if you are able to have them acting naturally, interacting with the other people in the image or simply in a more relaxed state than the regular sort of pictures you see people having taken. One of the most important elements of portrait based photography is the lighting, which is something that you really can't skimp on when buying your photographic equipment.

Adequate lighting is the key to making your images look professional- it's not just about the camera! Aim for soft and off-camera lighting, and be sure that shadows are eliminated.

When shooting outdoors, be sure that you have an electronic flash and a reflector at hand in your portrait photography arsenal. Above all, portrait photography is the practice of capturing a moment in an individual's life, and once you have got their personality shining through, your work is much easier to do well.

Pete is an electronics enthusiast with a passion for photography, HDTV, video games consoles and much more! Do you want to look into photography for beginners? Go for it!

Portrait Photography - Discover the Art

A portrait photographer has to show the human model's mood; but even if this type of photography is based on capturing a person's facial mood and expressions, the body may also be included in the photograph. In addition, a portrait is not similar to a quick snapshot. The photographer has to adjust the subject in the way that he prefers: looking straight into his camera.

The portrait photographs are typically used for a vast range of purposes like fine art portraiture. Sometimes, it is used for identifying material just like the printed photos of authors on their written works. However, a lot of people think that the art of portrait photography is easy and only requires basic knowledge. The truth of the matter is, portrait photography is difficult because humans are actually the most complicated subjects to capture in photographs. Moreover, photographers have to pay attention to lighting conditions, correct facial expressions, eyes colors, background, and the subjects' skin tones.

New photographers who aspire to become successful in the art of portrait photography must know the essential steps of taking portraits. First, they must clear all clutter. Whenever an expert photographer takes someone's portrait, he aims to focus the picture on that person. However, if there is a lot of clutter surrounding them, the person will no longer be the focus of the picture. Also, the subject can be placed in front of a blank wall to have the picture focused on him.

Another essential step that new photographers must do is focus on their subjects' eyes. The picture will simply look better if the gold coast portrait photographer focused on the eyes of his subject. After all, the eyes are the windows of the soul. Expressive eyes also produce better portraits. Next, new photographers can also try blurring the background. Well, if they have point and shoot cameras, they can set the control dials into portrait modes. On the other hand, if they use DSLRs or they shoot in semi-manual or manual modes, they can use larger aperture settings.

Furthermore, they must move closer to their subjects. That is because the closer to the subject, the better the outcome. Taking pictures of the heads and shoulders of the subjects is fine; but it is still alright to take pictures of their faces without including the other parts of their heads.

About The Author: Elliott Nash is a gold coast photographer based in the beautiful Gold Coast, Australia.

Portrait Photography - Do Not Be Afraid to Break the Rules

Portrait photography (commonly called portraiture) captures the likeness of a person or group of persons by photography. In portrait photography, the face or the facial expression of the individual photographed is usually the focal point of the image. If desired, the entire body and surrounding background can be included in the final image. Portrait photography is not a snapshot, but a carefully composed image of an individual or group of individuals in a controlled and still setting.

With portrait photography, all of the standard rules or guidelines of still photography continue to apply. However, just like with other photography, sometimes the resulting images provide that WOW factor when the rules are broken. The photographer is the artist and the camera's film or digital memory card becomes the canvas. It is the portrait photographer's responsibility to capture the mood, the expression, the light, and the personality of the subject.

Change the angle of the shot

For most facial portraits, camera is usually at eye level with the subject and the subject is looking straight at the camera lens. If you are not going for the more traditional, formal portrait, try taking your photos from different angles. Try getting low to the subject and point the camera up towards the subject's face. Alternatively, get above the subject and shoot down while the subject is looking up at the camera. Consider shooting at a cross angle for some interesting perspective.

As you evaluate the results of the above actions, you may find that there will be subtle changes in how the lighting affects the highlighting of features or the elimination of shadows.

Experiment with composition

One of the first rules of photography taught is the "Rule of Thirds." This rule has the photographer mentally divide the image into nine equal squares by imagining two parallel lines intersecting with two vertical lines. The focal point of the image rests on one of the points of intersection. This also gives the photographer four invisible lines that are useful for positioning other elements of the photograph. This all gives the image a sense of balance and tends to involve the viewer in the portrait.

With portrait photography, consciously breaking this rule can give you some very stunning portraits. Occasionally the mood or setting can give you some ideas as to what might work. Consider placing the subject or focal point squarely in the center of the image. On the other hand, perhaps having the subject on the edge of the photo can convey that story you are trying to capture.

Play with props

Props are very useful to the portrait photographer when taking photos of young children. Adding props to your adult portraiture can also provide for some very intriguing shots. A single rose or other favorite flower can do much for enhancing the photo and bringing out emotions you might not be able to capture otherwise. You do not want the prop to detract from or draw attention away from your subject, but a meaningful prop can add to the portraiture's impact.

There are several other factors to consider in portrait photography. Paying attention to your composition, utilizing props, and changing the angle of the shot will go a long way towards helping you get that WOW factor.

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Portrait Photography - Top 5 Tips On Clicking Memorable Pictures!

Perfect portrait photography, then is an art-form and needs patience, knowledge of lighting and other technical skills of a professional photographer as well as familiarity with the subject in order to get the right balance between mood and lighting for the best picture. Good photographs make for good memories and it is no secret that many a time the rich and famous who first sparked off the interest in getting portraits mounted in ornate frames to give a distinguished look to a hallway, stairway or living room, have actually marked the end of a photographer's career by giving their work the thumbs down for not presenting them right and spreading the word in their elite circle. However, there is always hope for the hopeful and any one keen on pursuing their passion for photography, especially portrait photography would do well to understand how sensitive people can be when they face the camera as a potential threat rather than as a friend.

This is because they have not yet developed the rapport needed between this mechanical device, the photographer and their own identity as they'd like reflected in the portrait and getting the right balance between all these elements is a good photographer's duty as much as it is to recognize the best characteristics of the subject's personality so their strongest, most positive character trait shows through in a comfortable setting. To get a head start in good portrait photography, one needs to build up a rapport with the subject; learn special interests, possibly provide a natural setting or elements the subject is comfortable with - even some of their favorite music to help them get comfortable before the camera. The portrait photographer also needs to understand and capture the true personality of their subject, preferably using natural lighting, especially if they are not too adept with creating the perfect studio effect/artificial lighting as it needs to be evenly distributed to prevent shadows around the face.

It is also advisable to use light backgrounds to emphasize the subject as these are believed to lend more character to the subject, especially if a serious pose is required and if the subject is wearing a dark garment, which will show up best against a light backdrop. The wrong choice of a background can give off a very undesirable effect to an otherwise attractive person in a portrait photograph and thus, photographers must beware of indiscriminately using just any old background or even a cluttered one.

To successfully run-through a portrait photo-shoot, the photographer must pay close attention to all things he or she may require for the event: e.g equipment, conversation starters, light beverage or snacks, music to help the subject relax etc. and treat the occasion with a professional but friendly approach to establish a natural trust and confidence in the subject for best results.

Abhishek is a Digital Photography enthusiast and he has got some great Digital Photography Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 59 Pages Ebook, "Digital Photography Inside Out!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/634/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Portrait Photography - What Should You Know?

Portrait photography deals with pictures that capture a person or a group of people where the facial expressions, the mood of the moment and the special features of the personality of the subjects are highlighted. A portrait is a well composed image of a person or a group in a still position. Portraits generally are done to remember a date or a special occasion such as a wedding, a graduation, an anniversary or a reunion. 

When it comes to portrait photography it can be done on the traditional lines or it can be done in a more innovative style which will express the mood of the moment with more eloquence. Striking portraits are remembered forever and treasured by many. Traditionally, the subjects in the portrait stare straight ahead at the camera which is positioned at eye level. However if you change the angle of the camera it will add a completely different aspect to the portrait. Shooting from up, down or up close can give an interesting perspective to the whole exercise.

The most important feature in a portrait is the subject's eyes. Looking straight down the lens is the most common and traditional way which is great for establishing a connection with the person looking at it. You can also have the subject looking off camera with the focus on something outside the frame. It is intriguing to the onlooker and created interest in the portrait. This has to be handled with care so as to keep the focus on the picture and not take it totally to the edge of it. The subject can be looking at something within the frame and this second point of interest can create its own story within the portrait.

The placement of the subject is also important to a portrait. Dead center or placing them with the use of the Rule of Thirds should be done as befits each picture that you are composing. There are no hard and fast rules about this and being imaginative will ensure a great portrait.

Another aspect of portrait photography is the lighting and how the different effects are used to highlight facial features, the body or the background. The possibilities are endless and need only be limited by your imagination. Side-lighting, back-lighting and silhouetting the subject can work out perfectly for portraits. Partially obscured features at times can be very powerful in a portrait.

The traditional portrait shots have nothing to show in the way of originality. If the subject is good, the portrait is good. On the other hand if the portrait can made to look more than interesting it will really stand out. So, get the subject to do something that will involve activity and the photographs that you shoot at this time will show the subject in a more upbeat light. Less posing and more candid photographs will definitely be better. This works amazingly with children.

Focusing on a prop or a body part is another way of taking portraits. Composing the photograph can be a lot of fun when you are working with a prop or focusing on one body part. Obscuring a part of the subject in the portrait can be very powerful as this creates all sorts of emotion. One other method that can be used specially when working with children is to take a series of pictures that captures a certain movement and can be presented together as a series.

With all these tips for portrait taking you can refine your techniques even further with practice. So, experiment and learn the best way that will suit you and make it your signature style.

Once you've made your photos, you may want to give them a professional touch. A great way to do it is to use photography templates from ArtcoDesign.

Also, an important resource of digital photo backdrops is premiumbackdrops.com?

Portrait Photography : One of the Greatest Arts

Before doing any portrait photography there are some very important questions that any photographer should ask himself. What kind of light source it's going to be used? From what angle the light will fall on the subject? What film, camera and lens are best to use?

If you manage to answer all this questions before taking the photo then you will probably make quite a good portrait photography. But i know that you don't want a good portrait photography, you want a perfect one. So the best way to achieve this performance is to talk with the client trying to know him, his past, his desires. This way you can create distinctive portraits. If you want a real great portrait then you have to add a bit of the client's personality in the photo. This works very well especially when you make female portrait photography. You shouldn't look for a face that is over painted by a makeup artist. Try to surprise something that really represents the subject.

If you are wondering what to talk about with your clients then the answer is anything that will show you something distinctive for that person. Try to look for different face expressions and eye or mouth movement. When you see something beautiful keep it in mind and later capture it in your portraits. Belive me that studying the subject before making the portrait photography is the biggest secret in this art.

Meeting with the client, building rapport, knowing the client, and planning the session are essential elements. So don't do the final session at the first meeting. After you are sure that you know everything you need to know to make a perfect portrait photography choose the best location and time of day and take the session.

I advice you to always use natural light if it's possible. Choosing the background it's also very important too. If the picture is to close then the background looses any meaning, if it's to far then the background will overwhelm the subject. So try not to merge the subject with the background in an indistinguishable shape.

From my point of view making portrait photography is the greatest art. I belive this because it's very different from making landscape photography or nature photography. When you make a photo you can make the subject to react to your wills and you really can control the picture.

So, in conclusion when it comes to portrait photography it all depends on how much you want the photo to be perfect and how dedicated you are to the art and the feeling of seeing that your client is really pleased.

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Portrait Photography Lighting - How to Shoot Like the Pros

Although portrait photography may seem simple to most, it is actually one of the trickiest photographic skills and takes years to master. On the plus side, because of the posed and scheduled nature of portrait photography, it is also one of the easiest ones to practice. If you're considering starting a studio in your garage or living room, here are a few handy tips to keep in mind before you call your subject in for the shoot.

Brighter Isn't Better

Harsh, bright lights will definitely give you lots of illumination and make photographing your subject super simple. However, these lights are rarely flattering and should be avoided if you want natural results. Portrait lighting is best achieved with soft light. You can find this light in the shade, on overcast days, or by using umbrella reflectors in the studio (these are available at a relatively low price). Using soft, even light will be easier to work with and will help to highlight your subject nicely.

Light Setup

Two lights should be enough for portrait lighting. Use one main light to determine the tone and direction of your light, then offset it with a second light placed near the camera. This will help to soften any harsh shadows and even out the strong contrast. Another way you can get this effect is by placing a light above the camera and one fill reflector below the camera. Both of these options will give you good quality results without special equipment.

Use What You Already Have

If you don't have money to spend on a professional light setup, you can often get near-professional results by using a few desk or floor lights. If you want even more control, try using bed sheets to reflect the light around the room. Look around your house for possible lighting equipment and you may find some unique opportunities to use for your portraits.

Don't Forget the Sun

Often times, we think of portrait photography as studio photography, but that doesn't mean you have to be in a studio for professional results. You can get incredible results using natural light if you know how to properly use it. For example, if you have a large window in your house, you can use it as a source of natural light. If you're taking pictures outside, use a big sheet of white posterboard (or foam board) as a reflector and point it at your subject to minimize harsh shadows.

Much like every other sort of photography, portraiture requires practice, patience, and a whole lot of love. Luckily, it doesn't require a lot of professional equipment or a lot of money. Be creative with your materials and subjects and you'll be surprised at how great the results can be. Portrait lighting is all about subtlety but that doesn't mean that it's not a lot of fun!

Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames and loves taking photos. Shop online and see our selection of 5 x 7 picture frames and 8 x 10 frames now. Visit our online picture frames store or call us at 1-800-780-0699.

Portrait Photography Tips - Effects of Lighting

Whoever decided to put the flash of a camera facing directly forward was not a portrait photographer. The following portrait photography tips are meant to put some perspective on lighting.

The Harshness of Direct Flash

The reason it is not a good idea to have a flash pointed directly at the subject in portrait photography is that the intense burst of light tends to wash out any curvature or shadow in the face and makes the subject appear to be flatter than they are. This gives an unnatural look.

If you are using a boot shaped flash, the mount should allow you to adjust the direction of the flash. Angle the flash upwards and bounce the light off of the ceiling. This will diffuse the light and result in a more natural and appealing looking portrait.

If your flash direction is not adjustable, you may have to use a physical object to diffuse the light in the same way that a lampshade diffuses the light coming from a lamp. There are many mountable diffusers on the market. If you are at a get together and do not have a diffuser, a semi-transparent plastic cup can work in a pinch.

Soft Box

If you have time to prepare the area that you will be shooting the portrait in, you may want to bring along a standing light source such as a soft box. A soft box is simply a white box, often framed with wood with either thin muslin or rice paper stretched over it. There are quick collapsible ones on the market but they are pretty easy to make.

This box acts as a diffuser for a permanent or flash/strobe light that can be moved to different positions in order to get rid of or accent shadows while still resulting in a more natural look.

Mobility

Unless you are shooting in a studio where you just have the subject sit and smile after the lighting has been preset, you will want to be able to move your light sources around. Many boot flashes offer remote capability so they can be removed from the camera and held to the side. This capability is great for shooting semi-candid portraits.

When shooting outdoors, your light source may be the sun. Though they often require assistance, light reflectors work great for manipulating the lighting here and softening the harsh shadows that direct sunlight often creates. Again, there are many of these on the market; I actually use a collapsible light reflector that is intended for car windshields.

I hope these portrait photography tips have helped explain the effects of direct lighting and how it can be easily manipulated for more natural looking results.

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