If you enjoy making pictures with people, then you should take a photowalk and make portraits on the street. There are a few good reasons to do this: Firstly, you'll get outdoors and stretch your legs and your eyes. Just being in a bigger place for a while can be invigorating. Also, meeting strangers and making a picture is liberating because you don't have the pressure associated with a client. You don't have to make a lot of pictures and finish a lot of pictures. You can just do what you do right there, and you might not even have to share … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Take a walk
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Portrait Tips: You need to get out more
I just attended WPPI in Las Vegas along with thousands of other photographers. The great thing about this conference is that it's focused on portraiture. There are all kinds of classes, but even if you only attend with a free expo pass, you can learn from speaker after speaker about tips for making the best portraits of your career and how to help your business grow. I've attended this conference for the last 10 years, as well as many other conferences. And you should, too. See new gear New gear won't make you a better photographer, but it … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: You need to get out more
Portrait Tips: Teeth whitening in Lightroom (easy does it!)
Teeth come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Your primary goal when retouching teeth should be to keep the teeth from distracting from the eyes. If teeth are very colorful, then they can be distracting, but if you make them bright white, then you're not doing any favors for your subject when people meet them and see yellower teeth than their portrait depicted. Lightroom's Adjustment Brush is a good tool for whitening teeth. One of the best things about using it is that the Auto Mask feature allows you to paint sloppily but keep the effect on … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Teeth whitening in Lightroom (easy does it!)
Portrait Tips: Automation is your best friend, part one
Last week I told you about my headshot factory. I've used this sort of setup to photograph as many as 300 people in one day. Unfortunately, that's the easy part for me. Making a portrait with a person is great fun. What's less fun is retouching 300 portraits over the next week or so. Each picture needs a little something, and most of them need the same things: Contrast, skin retouching, and eye brightening. The best way to improve contrast, retouch skin and brighten eyes in portraits is to use Perfectly Clear Complete (PCC). It recognizes each … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Automation is your best friend, part one
Portrait Tips: Headshot factory
One of my favorite things to do for corporate clients is to make headshots at their annual meetings. Their employees live all around the country, so this is the only opportunity to make pictures for them all in one place. This is a challenging shoot, but it's a lot of fun — like a headshot factory that quickly turns out good portraits. My setup is simple and adaptive, and something similar could help you make a lot of portraits quickly. The space As you can see, I'm not allotted a whole lot of room. This is in the hallway outside the … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Headshot factory
Portrait Tips: A note for newborns
One of the best experiences you'll have as a portraitist is making pictures with brand new babies. There truly is something special about working with someone so new and pure, and it's a big responsibility to be entrusted with the opportunity. It's really a once-in-a-lifetime shoot, so be ready and take it seriously. And remember that it's not a picture of baskets and props. What is your purpose? We love pictures of babies snuggled into a blanket or wrapped in a peapod costume, and we dream of making that kind of picture, too. Swaddling a … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: A note for newborns
Portrait Tips: Build a scene with Lume Cubes & holiday lights
Holiday lights are so cool. If the tree didn't dry out and start dropping needles, I think I'd petition my wife to leave them set up all year. They just give such a terrific mood. It's because they have a warm tone and because they are so spread out they make a very soft light. Plus, when they are in the background of the photo, they make really cool bokeh bobbles. I wanted to utilize these lights in the background, so I needed to build the light in the foreground so that it wouldn't overpower the twinkle in the back. Here's how to do it. Use … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Build a scene with Lume Cubes & holiday lights
Portrait Tips: How to use V-flats to light a group
When you light a portrait, a good rule of thumb is that your light should be about the same size as your subject. That's easy for a single individual where any softbox will work, but what about lighting a group of people? A light that big is hard to find. V-flats offer an easy way to make a large light that gives soft, even coverage for your group. You can use them to make soft light on the whole group, but you can also move your subjects around for different effects. V-flat as a modifier The V-flat is two large sheets (typically 7 or 8 … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: How to use V-flats to light a group
Portrait Tips: Retouch portraits in a batch
Batch retouching is the holy grail of portrait finishing. You've shot a lot of good pictures you want to share, but you know your client will only buy a few. How do you prepare all the best pictures without spending hours retouching pictures that won't be chosen? Let me show you how to do some things with Lightroom and then allow Perfectly Clear to finish them off automatically. Batching in Lightroom In Lightroom, you can adjust all the pictures at the same time very easily. Start by adjusting one of the pictures you want to work on. Make any … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Retouch portraits in a batch
Portrait Tips: Does your picture have the sweetness?
“Unless some sweetness at the bottom lie, Who cares for all the crinkling of the pie?” This line is from William King's Poem, "The Art of Cookery," and it applies perfectly to portraiture. Today's tip is quick, and it includes the challenge that you should memorize this line of poetry — it'll broaden your horizons ;) Does your portrait emote? I take this line to mean that no matter how good a pie looks if it doesn't taste good then it's a failure. For you and me, that means that no matter how much hairspray you've used, no matter how … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Does your picture have the sweetness?
Portrait Tips: Have a conversation with your camera in hand
Having a conversation with your camera in hand doesn't mean you should talk to your camera — that's fine to do in private settings, but not recommended in public. I mean that you should have a conversation with your subject while your camera is doing the work. As you converse with your subject you'll discover subjects that bring their eyes to life and positions for their bodies that work best in the light. Here are a few ideas to help you camera-guided discussions. Don't look at the camera When folks are looking at your camera, there's very … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Have a conversation with your camera in hand
Portrait Tips: How close should the light be to your subject?
This is a great question, but when you're getting going making portraits (and especially when you're buying gear) it often gets overlooked. How close should your light be to your subject? Furthermore, what effect does a different distance have on the photo? Let's start with the impact the distance makes. Feel free to skip to the last section for the quick answer. Closer is softer but more contrasty When you bring a light closer to your subject, you make it bigger in relation to your subject, and a bigger light is softer. For instance, the … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: How close should the light be to your subject?
Portrait Tips: Holiday portraits
Holy cow, it's the holidays. Yeah, crept right up on me. With family and friends getting together, you could have a golden opportunity to make terrific portraits. If you don't blow it. Another picture...? The problem is that these people know you are crazy about making portraits and they've suffered you for years — or maybe only this year if you're new to this marvelous game. They may be a little tired of feeling compelled to participate in your hobby (no matter how much your peers realize it's a passion, it'll always be a hobby to family. … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Holiday portraits
Portrait Tips: Street Portraits
The other day I was in New York City for PhotoPlus Expo and Photofocus hosted its annual photowalk. It's a highlight of my photography year and I hope you can join me next time, or at the next conference (like WPPI). I had the pleasure of making several portraits during our walk, and you might benefit from simple principles for making street portraits while photowalking. 1. It's just a portrait First of all, there's nothing different about street portraits. It's still a picture of a person, and you should do your best to make it a good one. … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Street Portraits
Portrait Tips: Have fun with Halloween
Happy Halloween! In the U.S., Halloween is one of the most fun holidays. Kids dress up in crazy costumes and consume more sugar than is good for them, and people all over decorate their houses to welcome the madness of trick-or-treating. And you should be ready to make portraits. Bring the good camera When you look back at pictures of Halloween, you're in for a treat — unless you got tricked in bringing only your smartphone along to make pictures. I know your camera is much bigger and heavier than your phone, but it can really perform much … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Have fun with Halloween
Portrait Tips: Retouching must be invisible
Retouching portraits. This is an important subject and I'll tackle it with you in pieces. You've had a good session with your subject and now you can utilize your computer to finish off their pictures so they can present them to the world. When you show them their pictures, they should feel great about the way it looks. Their best friend should say, "Wow! That's a great shot of you." Their best friend should not say, "Wow! They did a great job retouching." As retoucher and photographer Kristina Sherk says, "The sign of a good retoucher is … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Retouching must be invisible
Portrait Tips: Avoid creepy eyes
Anytime your subject is not facing directly into the camera you need to pay attention to where their eyes are looking and how they are framed in the eye sockets. Face over there, eyes over here Photographing a person's profile or making a no-look portrait adds variety to your shoot and can help your subject feel more comfortable in front of the camera. But, when you direct their face away, they usually turn their eyes more than their head. When the eyes are cranked way over to one side and you can mostly see only whites in the eyes, it … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Avoid creepy eyes
Portrait Tips: Try color to liven up a shoot
I know, I know, I'm always saying that the background is just in the back and the important thing is your subject. It kinda drives me crazy when photographers pull their hair trying to find backgrounds for their shoots. The most important thing in a picture is the person and their expression, the second is the light, and the background is way down the list. Nonetheless, the background needs to be there, and using a paper background gives you many options and can even add some energy to your shoot. Unlimited colors, unlimited fun Paper … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Try color to liven up a shoot
Portrait Tips: How to use a wide angle lens in portraits
Using a wide angle lens in portraiture is dangerous. Here's why and one way to use a wide lens safely. What is foreshortening? Foreshortening is the effect that happens when something near to a viewer appears larger than things that are far away from the viewer, even though they are not actually larger. For instance, if your subject extends her foot toward the camera, that foot looks larger than in relation to the rest of the body than it really is. In this photo, the foot closer to the camera looks four times larger than the other … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: How to use a wide angle lens in portraits
Portrait Tips: How do you develop a style? Play more
I'll keep this one quick. Each time you make pictures you are developing your own style. At first, this may be mimicking the look of other photographs you've seen — in fact, it should be mimicking because that's the best way to ensure you make some good pictures. That means that the photos you look at are a huge influence on your personal style. The only way to create your own style is to make more pictures. And I don't think you should be intentional about making your own style. As you shoot you'll find ways to make pictures that get you … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: How do you develop a style? Play more
Portrait Tips: Five keys for candids
Candid portraits are often the first type of portraits photographers learn to make, and they are probably the most often requested by clients. When you view a candid photograph, it feels like you truly see the subject being themselves. Here are five keys to help you consistently make great candid photographs. 1. Acclimatization You need to be known to always have your camera and always be making pictures. At first, it's obvious to anyone that sees you that you have a camera and they notice it everytime you lift it up. But after a short while, … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Five keys for candids
Portrait Tips: Four tips for photographing teenage boys
It's time for senior pictures and school portraits and that means facing one of the hardest subjects on the planet: Teenage boys. Now, brides are under stress, two-year-olds can't sit still and executives are in a hurry. Those all pose trouble for you when you're trying to make a portrait and elicit genuine expressions. But unless you do things right, your teenage boys are just going to look bored. I've photographed a ton of teenage boys, and these tips will help you have an easier time getting it done with genuine and engaged … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Four tips for photographing teenage boys
Portrait Tips: How to combine photos for the best expressions using layers in Luminar
Photographing large groups of people is the most challenging assignment you'll get as a portrait photographer. Each person expects you to make them look great in the final portrait, but there's always at least one person with a half blink or a nose tickle and there's definitely one person who is just looking off into space while everyone else has a winning smile. Sigh. The easiest thing way to manage this is to make many pictures and then combine them together into one with everyone's face look great. It's simple to use Luminar to make this … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: How to combine photos for the best expressions using layers in Luminar
Portrait Tips: The most important tip for street portraits
Making pictures while traveling is the best way to share your experience with others. But the best way to the have the best experience for yourself is to make pictures of the people in the places you visit. In fact, making street portraits in your own town can give you a fresh perspective on the place you live as well as a fun activity. And there's just one thing you need to do to get it done. "Can I make a picture of you?" The only key to making a picture of a complete stranger you meet on the street is to ask permission. It's simple, … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: The most important tip for street portraits
Portrait Tips: Family reunion posing time-lapse
Photographing large family groups is intimidating. There are so many people that you have to help look good and if you look at the big picture it can be overwhelming. This is a picture I made at my family reunion the other day. Every time I do this it makes me sweat, and it's tempting to simply have everyone line up and turn toward the center like a high school band picture. But, there's one thing you can do to make it simple to photograph an extended family. Chop it up Instead of thinking of this task of photographing one huge family, … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Family reunion posing time-lapse
Portrait Tips: Use a lint roller for a higher paycheck
If you're like me, you easily get caught up in the moment of making a picture and you may forget some simple things. Fortunately for me, I recently had photographer Carlos Zamora assisting me on a big headshot shoot and he was on top of those small things for me and made sure we didn't skip any important things. He was the perfect assistant and he saved me at least five hours of work retouching pictures — and he did it with a roll of packing tape. Little things x lots of people We had to make 70 headshots and we had fewer than five minutes … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Use a lint roller for a higher paycheck
Portrait Tips: Go for the tilt
People standing right next to each other seem like they are close, but once you ask them to tilt their heads together you'll see that they were really miles apart. Anytime you photograph two people together, you'll make an infinitely better photo if you just ask them to tilt their heads together. Why tilt? You should do this with friends, coworkers, families, kids, couples, everybody. Now, of course, coworkers standing next to each other probably shouldn't be touching their temples together, but just tilting their heads toward each other … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Go for the tilt
Portrait Tips: Beg, borrow or steal — whatever it takes to get catchlights
We talk about posing and connecting with our subjects and all kinds of other stuff when we make portraits, but there's one thing that matters more than that stuff and you've got to do it first. You've got to find a spot that puts catchlights in your subject's eyes. Catchlights let us see that the person is alive and they allow us to focus more on their eyes and see more from the expression. Do this to get catchlights The key to ensuring that your subject has catchlights in their eyes is to make sure that they are facing a bright light … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Beg, borrow or steal — whatever it takes to get catchlights
Portrait Tips: The sneaky secret of white balance
White balance is always trying to pull a fast one on you and sneak by with the wrong color in your photographs. Here's the case in point, today: It's a sunny day, not a cloud in the sky, so you set the white balance to Daylight, which is just what the camera manufacturer advises you to do. But then you end up with a picture like this that has significantly too much blue in the skin tones. What the heck? Shade is sneaky The trouble is that although the subject is standing in the sun, the light shining on her face is actually coming from … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: The sneaky secret of white balance
Portrait Tips: Watching and practice are key for kids
Do you ever feel like Nemo's dad, Marlin, from Finding Nemo? He meets a new group of fish and they say, "Hey, you're a clownfish: Say something funny!" Once people find out you're a photographer, the pressure is on to be able to make a great photo on the spot under any conditions and one of the hardest of those circumstances can be photographing children. But I've found one key that helps me photograph kids, and that's practicing being observant. Readiness from watching Now, don't go get your binoculars and hang out at the park, 'cause that's … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Watching and practice are key for kids
