Using Challenging Natural Light Effectively for Portraits
I’ve heard many a photographer scoff at using lighting equipment for portraits, labeling themselves a “natural light photographer.”
I’ve heard many a photographer scoff at using lighting equipment for portraits, labeling themselves a “natural light photographer.”
Strip boxes are an essential tool for photographers looking to refine their lighting techniques. Their dual functionality as both a narrow and broad light source allows for unparalleled versatility in creating both dramatic and subtle lighting effects.
Self-portraiture can be a showcase of technical skill but also a testament to the transformative power of creativity and determination. Through her captivating narrative and breathtaking imagery, Laura BC invites viewers to join her on a quest for artistic excellence, reminding us all that the most rewarding achievements often stem from the most challenging endeavors.
Choosing the right focal length for portraits is more than a technical decision; it's a creative choice that significantly impacts the aesthetic and emotional tone of an image. This choice dictates not just how subjects are framed within their environment but also influences perspective, distortion, and the relationship between subject and background, making it a critical consideration for photographers aiming to craft impactful visual narratives.
I've looked at previous version of the Radiant Imaging software, which focused mostly on landscape images. This latest version, Radiant Photo 1.3, offers new portrait tools that focus on natural skin tones and Color Style tools that should simplify the editing process. It's a free update for all Radiant Photo customers.
Understanding and mastering lighting patterns is a critical skill for any photographer focusing on portraiture. This great video breaks down five primary lighting patterns and their storytelling purposes, offering invaluable insights for photographers looking to elevate their portrait work.
There are many small, simple steps, that you can take to drastically improve your portrait photography today.
Mastering off-camera flash techniques with a speedlight is a fantastic way to get started with off-camera portrait lighting. Utilizing a speedlight away from the camera allows for more controlled, professional-looking results, transforming simple shots into meticulously crafted images.
Navigating the nuances of beauty photography can be a complex endeavor, particularly for those just embarking on their journey in this specialized field. This helpful video tutorial addresses five common pitfalls that both novice and experienced photographers may encounter, offering invaluable insights into refining their craft and producing more captivating images.
Understanding the differences between TTL (Through The Lens) and manual flash settings is crucial for photographers looking to enhance their control over lighting conditions. If you are new to working with flash, this helpful video tutorial will show you everything you need to know.
Lighting is crucial to portrait photography, and learning to use artificial lights will free you from the constraints of working with just the sun. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to do that.
Mastering the art of posing is a challenge that many photographers, regardless of their experience level, find daunting. The intricacies of creating a natural and flattering pose require a deep understanding of body language, client interaction, and technical photography skills. This multifaceted skill set is crucial for photographers aiming to deliver captivating and authentic portraits. This helpful video tutorial will show you 10 common posing mistakes and how you can fix them.
Portrait photography is a sought-after skill in various sectors of the industry, including fashion, lifestyle, wedding, and commercial photography, plus much more. For aspiring photographers, venturing into portrait photography not only opens doors to many career paths but also enhances personal growth by improving communication and collaboration skills.
Achieving perfect skin tones in Photoshop can be a daunting task for photographers, often requiring intricate knowledge of color grading and editing techniques. This challenge is particularly pronounced due to the wide range of skin colors and the various lighting conditions under which photos can be taken. This helpful video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to nail those skin tones every time.
As photographers, we are aware that, in general, people are not naturally comfortable being photographed. In this article, I want to show you a fundamental technique that I use to achieve energetic, real, and authentic couple portraits.
Maternity photography is a special genre that captures the beauty and significance of motherhood. The right lighting can transform a simple photo into an evocative image that encapsulates the beauty and strength of expectant mothers. This fantastic video tutorial will show you three such lighting setups.
Mastering the use of light is essential in portrait photography. Harsh light, often seen as a challenge, can actually be a powerful tool in the hands of a skilled photographer. This awesome video tutorial will show you how to harness harsh light to create a compelling portrait.
Every photographer knows that moment when you realize you have created a special image. Those images deserve to be printed, and there are times when paper and frames just won't do. Metal Prints take the art of printing to the next level. In this article, we discuss why you might want to invest in Metal Prints.
Planning your first photo shoot can be a daunting yet thrilling experience, especially in the realms of beauty and fashion photography. Kayleigh June, a seasoned beauty and fashion photographer, delves into this topic, offering invaluable insights and practical steps to make your first photo shoot a success. Her expertise is crucial for budding photographers looking to make a mark in the industry.
Golden hour, the time just after sunrise or before sunset, offers a unique and enchanting light that photographers love. This magical hour presents an opportunity to create images with a warm, soft, and dreamy quality that can't be replicated at any other time of the day. This helpful video tutorial offers 10 tips sure to improve your portraits.
A behind-the-scenes look at a breathtaking natural light beach photoshoot: join Irene Rudnyk and model Donna as they capture the essence of sunlit beauty on the shores of Virginia Key in Miami. Get ready for a journey of creativity and inspiration.
Traveling and photography are a perfect match. It’s so fun to photograph in a new place. Yet, for portrait photographers, locating models while abroad can be a challenge. There's nothing more disheartening than finding yourself in an incredible place with no one to photograph. Here are some tips for finding models while you travel!
The 24-70mm lens is highly coveted by photographers from all backgrounds due to the array of possibilities with this wide to mid range zoom. Photographer Julia Trotti shares key composition tips to help get the most out of the range of this zoom lens.
In my journey as a portrait photographer, I've found foreshortening to be a creative look that you can use to produce some dynamic images. But what is foreshortening, and how can it add some dynamism to your portraits? Let's dive in.
Capturing the spirit of love’s celebrations demands thoughtful artistry behind the lens. In his latest tutorial, seasoned wedding shooter Pye Jirsa demonstrates essential techniques for intentionally crafting evocative engagement portraits through deliberate light shaping. Through five versatile lighting recipes, Jirsa spotlights how to create desired moods and contexts to transform setups into narrative tools.
There are many options out there for printing and presenting your images. In this article, we look at the multitude of benefits of creating a Layflat Photo Book and shed light on why they are fast becoming a favorite amongst professional photographers looking for a budget-minded alternative to Flush Mount Albums.
Many photographers looking to pursue more conceptual portraiture are intimidated by elaborate lighting configurations required to achieve intensely stylized effects. However, this excellent video tutorial makes the case that venturing beyond single-source illumination opens doors for bringing unique creative visions vibrantly to life.
Learning to shoot with off-camera flash brings a whole new level of control and creativity to photography. But along with the endless possibilities comes ample room for slip-ups. This fantastic video tutorial outlines the five most common mistakes people make when first stepping into off-camera lighting, along with fixes to set you up for success.
Selecting the right lens for portrait photography is a pivotal decision for photographers of all levels. This comprehensive video offers valuable insights into the intricate world of portrait lenses with in-depth exploration of various lens types, from prime lenses to zooms, wide angles to telephotos, making it an invaluable resource for photographers seeking to refine their portrait photography skills.
Sometimes, you want the look of natural light, but there simply is not enough of it available for a properly balanced exposure. With a little bit of know-how, though, you can replicate the look of natural light, allowing you to create that look whenever and wherever. This helpful video tutorial features an experienced photographer showing you how to do just that.