| Do you know the difference between people | | | | Lighting is the second crucial step in portrait |
| photography and portrait photography? People | | | | photography. It is very common for photographers |
| photography is simply snapping pictures of friends | | | | to prefer natural light over artificial. With natural light, |
| without thinking of how it might turn out. Portrait | | | | you will need to create the contrast with shadows |
| photography gets photos one step closer to looking | | | | and lighting for the effect you want. This often |
| like they were shot by a professional. There are | | | | requires compensating for the cameras lack of |
| many elements to be considered in portrait | | | | definition. This can be accomplished by manually |
| photography. One is the angle at which you take the | | | | setting the camera's aperture. Unless artificial light is in |
| photograph, the expression of emotion on the | | | | a studio, it is often too harsh and not directed |
| subject's face, and the lighting that will be used. Just | | | | properly. Your subject will partly decide what light will |
| because you may be an amateur snapping photos at | | | | be available. Since you can only use whatever light |
| a family gathering, you still need the same basic | | | | you have, you will need to rely on the manual |
| knowledge which is used by professionals. | | | | settings on your camera to perfect your portrait. |
| The first step to taking a quality photograph of a | | | | The background is another important element in a |
| person is to study their face. This is very important | | | | quality photograph and must work well with the |
| when determining the angle from which you will | | | | lighting. A professional photographer will pick a |
| shoot. Some people really do have a better side. This | | | | background that will not wash out the subject's |
| could be because of blemishes, or a scar, or simply | | | | clothing or their features. There must be contrast or |
| something about their face that is asymmetrical. One | | | | distinction between them and their background. This |
| example could be if one of a person's eyes is bigger | | | | is even important even when you are shooting |
| than the other. This will be noticeable when looking | | | | photographs at home. Be sure to pick a background |
| straight into the camera which will result in a horrible | | | | that gives color to your subject and definitely not |
| portrait, but shooting from an angle can enable the | | | | one that takes it away. You will also want to make |
| light and shadows to even out the features without | | | | sure the background is not too busy. A tree to sit on |
| taking away from capturing who the person really is. | | | | with mountains in the background may be a great |
| Portrait photography is about capturing the | | | | portrait, but on the other hand it could take away or |
| personality of the subject or their essence. You will | | | | distract from the subject. The subject needs to be a |
| want to make sure your subjects are relaxed. If you | | | | part of the picture and not outside of it. |
| want to become a professional portrait | | | | The quality of your photographs is also determined |
| photographer, you may want to meet with your | | | | by the type of camera and film you use. Once you |
| client before the session so you can learn about | | | | understand your subject and use the techniques that |
| them beforehand as well as while you are taking | | | | the professionals use such as lighting and angles, you |
| pictures. Be sure to notice the little nuances of their | | | | will be able to create a portrait that is near to |
| face since those add character to the portrait. If | | | | professional if not professional for your family and |
| they are friends are family then this is an easy task | | | | friends for any occasion. Anyone can snap a picture, |
| since you probably already know about their | | | | but wouldn't it be great to create a portrait? |
| personality, making it easier to capture it on film. | | | | |