When you make pictures for a client, you've got to keep in mind what their final use will be. In fact, you've got to quiz them carefully about what the final uses may include. This is especially true when you work with a magazine. Get the layout When you work with a magazine you must ask for the layout. You need to see what the final magazine layout looks like so you can consider all the elements in the photo and ensure that they aren't obscured when the graphics are added. A magazine cover has lots of stuff cluttering the front. I say … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Photographing a magazine cover
portrait
Photographer of the Day: NikonCameraAct
Category: Portrait Photographer: NikonCameraAct Photo: "NYC Welcome" This portrait "NYC Welcome" is a wonderful commentary on how many visitors to storied New York City view the residents. The gentleman's stern gaze, his frowning lips and very closed, defensive body position with arms tightly folded with a background filled with people is a portrait that tells the everyday story of the city. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your photo or submit yours via the Photofocus website. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: NikonCameraAct
Split lighting for a dramatic portrait
Split light isn’t one of the most flattering light patterns but it is one of the most dramatic ones. Here’s how to use just one light, placed in the right position, to create a dramatic portrait. Split lighting is exactly what it sounds like Split lighting is exactly what it sounds like — it's a light that divides the face into two equal halves. One side is the highlight side and the other is the shadow side. This creates high contrast, making it a great lighting pattern for a dramatic effect. Creating an image with split lighting Get your … [Read more...] about Split lighting for a dramatic portrait
Portraits precipitate stories; make more of both
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: You need to make more portraits. Portraits don’t have to be formal affairs with special lights and special clothes and special occasions. They can be those things, but they should also be spur of the moment, occasion-marking, memory-making experiences. Make a portrait to precipitate a story Did you know that snowflakes and raindrops are formed around a chunk of something else? It could be a piece of dust or another piece of ice or water. The core, the thing that the rain or snow forms around is … [Read more...] about Portraits precipitate stories; make more of both
Photographer of the Day: Darren M
Category: Portrait Photographer: Darren M Photo: "Earthy" "Earthy" is a warm, pensive portrait of a woman gazing off camera. Her expression is neutral. She gives nothing away. She just — is. The golden, off-center light behind her suggests sunlight as does its reflection on her shoulder. This is a powerful portrait of a strong human being. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your photo or submit yours via the Photofocus website. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Darren M
Portrait Tips: A chance with Patch
The other day a fellow contacted me about a picture I made nearly ten years ago. He was an assistant to the master woodcarver and I spent a few minutes making pictures with them. The event was Baby Animal Days at the Western Heritage Center in Logan, UT, and the entire Cache Valley Photographers club came to make pictures for the day. This was my favorite. Patch made hand-carved wooden spoons to sell to tourists, and he did it with tools from the mid-nineteenth century. As if this wasn't enough camera fodder, he also had a genuine eye patch. … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: A chance with Patch
Photographer of the Day: Alan Jones
Category: Portrait Photographer: Alan Jones Photo: "Sophie" A simple pose in beautiful light that shimmers off of the subject's flowing hair, a hand holding the collar her fur-edged coat offers a gesture of subtle movement that makes this photograph a classic candid style portrait. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your photo or submit yours via the Photofocus website. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Alan Jones
Quick Tip: Flash sale! Save on v-flats
V-Flat World has a flash sale running through Saturday, June 1, 2019. Save $20.00 on single v-flats or $25.00 on a two pack. Free shipping in the U.S. Use these promo codes at the checkout screen: V-flat single promo code: SINGLE20 V-flat two pack promo code: DOUBLE25 Learn how to use a v-flat to create the group portrait shown above. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Flash sale! Save on v-flats
Portrait Tips: Make pictures now, chimp later
With visions of Joe McNally's firetruck portraits in mind, I set out on a ride-along with the Salt Lake City Fire Department. Now, I didn't get to rig lights outside the truck, and I wasn't driving at night through Times Square, but I was hopeful that I might see a picture worth making. Find a vision My vision for this portrait appeared in my mind really quickly, and I had about the same amount of time to execute it. As we drove, I noticed the colorful autumn leaves outside the truck, and I realized that if we turned east then the sun would … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Make pictures now, chimp later
Photographer of the Day: Jeffrey Bivens
Category: Portrait Photographer: Jeffrey Bivens Photo: "Julia Williams | actor/artist" Classic. Painterly. Brilliant. This one had me at a glance. It reminds me of Renaissance portraits that are full of contrast yet have subtle goings-on in the almost black of the background. Ms. Williams top is quiet and subdued. We are compelled to see the face of this talented woman. Everything else is quiet and wondrous. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your photo or submit yours via the Photofocus … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Jeffrey Bivens
Photographer of the Day: Mark Coleman
Category: Portrait Photographer: Mark Coleman Photo: "Mountain Man" This environmental portrait shows the use of the setting and a traditional costume in "Mountain Man" by Mark Coleman. With a tilt of his head, the subject glances at the camera and through its lens directly at us. While the location might be in Europe or another continent, this one was done in Ogden, UT. Rugged outdoorsmen and women are everywhere presenting a photographic opportunity. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Mark Coleman
Portrait Tips: Identify the environment
I'm pretty excited because Vanelli and I are teaching a class at Photoshop World on environmental portraiture. I love making environmental portraits because they help inform our knowledge of the person we're looking at without saying a word. The trouble is, we don't always get to photograph folks in their place with their stuff. But, if you can identify the environment a person brings with them, then you can make a more intimate and revealing portrait even on a white backdrop. Identify the environment When you're hiking in the mountains, … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Identify the environment
Photographer of the Day: Guillaume Koch
Category: Portrait Photographer: Guillaume Koch Photo: "Sigma DP2 quattro" While using the name of the camera as the title of today's Photographer of the Day portrait is unusual, that also describes this carefully rendered study in black and white of a bearded man with piercing eyes. The circular catchlights are the telltale mark of a ring light that creates a flat, almost shadowless look. The result is a visage that stares unflinchingly at the viewer. Is it a peaceful expression or something sinister? A great portrait asks these … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Guillaume Koch
Get creative, change it up with a 35mm lens
Most photographers reach for an 85mm or a 70-200mm lens when shooting portraits. These lens are great for compressing the image to help make a heavier subject look slimmer. Since this is the norm, why not try something different? Here's how to get creative and change it up with a 35mm lens to capture a unique portrait. Get close, I mean really close While on break at a workshop, I collaborated on a portrait idea with my buddy Ray Nason. Ray — who was at the workshop representing the MAC Group — is the photographer we rely on for creative and … [Read more...] about Get creative, change it up with a 35mm lens
Portrait Tips: Perfect your un-pose
Every client you will ever have will say, "I prefer candid photos, not posed photos." And we get that: We understand that they want pictures that look like a moment captured instead of faces lined up in a row. But we also know that they don't mean it. Candid ... but not They mean they want natural-looking expressions and natural-feeling backdrops. But they don't initially understand that they still need significant posing help to have flattering pictures — pictures with hair that not's flying in faces, pictures that still help them look their … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Perfect your un-pose
Photographer of the Day: Michael Huthcinson
Category: Portrait Photographer: Michael Hutchinson Photo: "Coloring" The setting is visual storytelling that supports the story of who is in a portrait. This study of a woman coloring in a coffee shop is a wonderful example. The surroundings tell us that the place isn't part of a national chain. It's rustic, old with new wiring as hinted at with the modern AC sockets in older conduit boxes. We see that a portrait does not have to be set up — it can be a well composed and executed candid as this one is. Or is it a setup? Hmm. Originally … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Michael Huthcinson
Weekly Wrap-Up: April 28-May 4, 2019
The Weekly Wrap-Up features articles from the last seven days of Photofocus. This week, Lauri Novak explained how to check our camera's shutter count, Michèle Grenier gives us her final decision on switching to mirrorless, Levi Sim discusses using speedlights for portraits with waterfalls, Vanelli dives into the new Accent AI 2.0 with portraits and Chris Anson tells us how to register our drone with the FAA. Thanks for joining us this week on Photofocus! … [Read more...] about Weekly Wrap-Up: April 28-May 4, 2019
Photographer of the Day: Bryll Edison Par
Category: Portrait Photographer: Bryll Edison Par Photo: "Black and White" The subject holds the viewer's eye by staring directly into the lens with a sense of intensity. His lips are closed, the jaw slightly clenched. His hand pulls the neckline of his pullover away from his neck. The light tones against the very dark background cause the man in "Black and White" to come forward in the frame. It is a powerful portrait. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your photo or submit yours via the … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Bryll Edison Par
Photographer of the Day: KBT Images
Category: Portrait Photographer: KBT Images Photo: "Opulent Dreams" Portraits are not all made in a studio setting or even carefully posed. Today's Photographer of the Day, KBT Images, demonstrates the very well with his photo "Opulent Dreams." What moves the viewer in this photograph is the seemingly candid style of the picture. The woman appears to have been caught off guard while — wait a minute! She is dressed as a fairylike creature with flowers and frills and stylized eyes. A careful look shows how much work went into this candid … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: KBT Images
Photographer of the Day: Johann Walter Bantz
Category: Portrait Photographer: Johann Walter Bantz Photo: "Les voyageurs de la campagne" Portraits aren't required to be pretty. "Les voyageurs de la campagne" by Johann Walter Bantz is a great example of this. A mother holding a very young child stands behind two other children. The photograph reveals clues about their circumstances. A trailer, an old television antenna, an ominous sky and raw emotion on the faces of the kids. The image tears at our hearts. It reminds me of the photo of the migrant woman by Margaret … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Johann Walter Bantz
Portrait Tips: Remember for yourself
It's a good idea to look back. Ten years ago I was looking at my photography idols and wondering what it'd be like to be doing this for a decade. Now I'm here, and I love that I can look back at 10 years' of work. As I do, I'm impressed by one thing, and it's the thing I've been telling clients for a decade. Photographs unlock the power of memory Scott Bourne calls us the high priests of memory protection. I believe that. And we always tell clients that they'll treasure these pictures for generations and all the things they experienced in … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Remember for yourself
Photographer of the Day: Robertino Radovix
Category: Portrait Photographer: Robertino Radovix Photo: "DSC_2516-Modifica" This man is a part of his environment in the portrait "Untitled" by Robertino Radovix. The face offers the weathered lines of experience that only a life outdoors can add. His story is well told with the background a soft canvas against which this super sharp portrait of an outdoorsman rests. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your photo or submit yours via the Photofocus website. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Robertino Radovix
Photographing magazine portraits
Author portrait photo session — magazine cover Had a quick portrait session for an author who was getting images together for a magazine cover and article. I was able to complete the photography part of the job in one hour from the time I showed up to unload my gear, make the portrait and pack it all back up. This timeline was possible due to the camera and lighting gear with which I was working. It helped that my subject was receptive and followed instructions for posing very well! We have all had those sessions where you ask for a tiny … [Read more...] about Photographing magazine portraits
Will I switch from DSLR to Mirrorless? My first photoshoot experience with the Sony a9
As you might already know, I am seriously thinking about changing my DSLR gear in favor of mirrorless. Because it would require a very important investment — perhaps one of the biggest I could make as a photographer — I want to feel 100% confident about my decision. For review purposes, I've been loaned two camera bodies: The new micro four-thirds Olympus OM-D E-M1X and the full-frame Sony a9. This article reviews my first photoshoot experience with the latter. Our first date Cloudy sky, soft light coming through the window, this was the … [Read more...] about Will I switch from DSLR to Mirrorless? My first photoshoot experience with the Sony a9
Portrait Tips: Get your camera lower
Your camera's height has a strong effect on the impact your portraits make. I'm a fairly tall individual, and if I don't pay attention, my camera comes right up to my eye and I point it toward my subjects, who are usually shorter than me. That means I'm looking down at them, and everyone looking at the picture is also looking down on them, and that's not usually the relationship I want my viewer to have with my subject. Put the camera in the middle You should always shoot with your camera in the middle of the subject. For a headshot, put … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Get your camera lower
Photographer of the Day: Michael Hutchinson
Category: Portrait Photographer: Michael Hutchinson Photo: "Bouncer" A stern face with a reflection of neon on the forehead sets up the viewer to believe the story of "Bouncer." This is a man who has to keep things peaceful in a bar where bad behavior can happen. The portrait from Michael Hutchinson earns him the nod at Photofocus Photographer of the Day. This photograph tells the story in a beautifully powerful composition. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your photo or submit yours via the … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Michael Hutchinson
Portrait Tips: Save money, use a long lens for shallow depth
In outdoor portraits, we love shallow depth of field. We love to see the background nicely out of focus so that our subjects stand out better. In fact, we are easily convinced that we need to pay a lot of money for very bright lenses with big apertures so that we can get that beautiful shallow depth of field. The truth is that you can do with an inexpensive zoom lens — even the second lens that came with your camera kit can get it done well. Many kits come with a 55-200mm zoom, and you can also buy a 70-300mm lens for a couple of hundred … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Save money, use a long lens for shallow depth
Photographer of the Day: Djordje Krdzic
Category: Portrait Photographer: Djordje Krdzic Photo: "Untitled" This powerful black and white naturally lit environmental portrait features a woman who has lived life. She peers directly into the camera with the smallest hint of a smile. The pot to her left is the hint she has been photographed in her kitchen. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your photo or submit yours via the Photofocus website. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Djordje Krdzic
Portrait Tips: Utilize graduated filters to finish your portraits
There I was, in a ghost town in the desert in Arizona, or Nevada — it was so remote it's hard to be sure — with a super-telephoto zoom lens, a model in a flowy dress and an empty highway. I just got so excited to lay down in the middle of the road that I forgot that the sky was totally bland. Now, a bland sky doesn't ruin a portrait, but it would have been nice if there were some huge monsoon thunderheads up there. I could use Luminar to combine this with another photo of puffy clouds and combine the two images (and maybe I will later), but I … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Utilize graduated filters to finish your portraits
Photographer of the Day: photodaddi
Category: Portrait Photographer: photodaddi Photo: "Untitled" Soft light. Window background. Young girl in a costume. Full makeup. Blue eyes. Innocent? Caught? What do these things bring to mind? This is a wonderfully simple and still complex portrait. Originally shared with the Photofocus Readers Flickr Group. Join the group and share your photo or submit yours via the Photofocus website. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: photodaddi
