What’s my favourite trick for relaxing a client while generating a variety of opportunities for beautiful daylight portraits? Going for a walk together. The exercise helps release adrenaline the client may be feeling if they are a little nervous about being in front of the camera. And the changing backgrounds and light conditions help create a range of looks for the final portrait set. It’s a win-win. Join me for a walk with Megan as we tour the streets of …
How to build texture and shape into your portraits using light and location. For this portrait, I needed to make a choice about whether or not the positives of the location outweighed its limitations. However, I loved the dappled sunlight, and wanted to use it like a spotlight on my subject, so couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stop and shoot. Watch the video to find out why you shouldn’t trust your camera’s meter to expose correctly in a lighting situation …
Want your subject to shine, and your background to fade into the shadows? Make it happen by positioning your subject in a brighter patch of light and exposing for his or her skin. This portrait was taken while I was waiting to photograph a prom in an abbey. The room we were in was pleasant enough. However, as a portrait photographer I want your eyes to be drawn straight to my subject’s face, not what’s behind them. Lighting their face …
Sunny days are a mixed blessing: lots of light but it can be harsh & unflattering. Here’s how you can use an unlikely reflector to shoot into the sun instead. Sometimes parents pick a name for their child that fits better than they could ever have hoped. This is Iris, and wow – she has the most incredible eyes. How best to capture them, sparkling with light, on a sunny day, without the pitfalls of direct sunlight? Direct sunlight …
Working With Natural Light Natural light is freely available, requires little or no kit, and comes in enough different forms to keep your portraits looking varied for many years to come. In fact, many professional photographers use natural light exclusively. Of course, this comes with as many challenges as benefits, with the weather, intensity of the light and time of day being just a few of the variables you’ll need to consider. You’ll need sufficient light on your subject’s face …