Sensual portraits tease the viewer’s imagination. Learn why it’s best not to reveal too much, and how to feather your studio lights for super soft lighting. I wanted to create a sensual portrait of Gina. Sensuality happens when you tease the viewer and let their imagination get involved with the image. There’s nothing sensual about a portrait with everything on show, given away to the viewer like a present that’s already unwrapped. That’s why I’ve framed the image so that …
Can you shoot a pale subject on a pale background? Yes, you can, if you control your lights. Here’s how I used strip lights for this studio portrait of Lizzie. A fair-skinned subject in a white top on a white background? Common portrait wisdom states that it shouldn’t be done, but I disagree. White-on-white fails when you throw uncontrolled light all over the scene, losing shadow, definition and detail. Instead, control your lights and your exposure carefully for a high …
One of the (many) challenges of portrait photography is trying to come up with new ideas. In this instance, I was photographing a mum and her new baby in a stunning location overlooking the Cotswolds. The property had a beautiful garden, with a path leading into the distance. I have always liked pictures of people walking away as it seems to have a story about it (go look at E.H. Shepard’s illustrations for A.A. Milne and you’ll see what I …