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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