With the right lighting conditions, it is possible to take stunning portrait photographs. There are a number of techniques a digital photographer can use to capture that perfect photo, using both available light sources and lighting equipment to achieve impressive results.
Make Use of Natural Light
Sources of natural light, such as windows, provide an opportunity to light a subject and successfully achieve natural skin tones. An inexpensive way to make use of window light is with a bounce card, which can deflect light upwards toward the subject. Make full use of slightly cloudy conditions, which provide soft light, and avoid direct sunlight to reduce the chance of overexposure and loss of detail.
Be sure to adjust the digital camera's white balance settings. Increasing the digital ISO will help capture more light; however, higher settings can cause grainy images.
Shoot with a Wide Aperture
The wider the aperture, the more light is able to enter the camera. Shooting with a low f-stop (for example, f/2.8) will give an image a shallow depth of field yet allow a large amount of light into the camera. With careful focusing, the photographer can maintain focus on the subject and produce an impressive soft background. A common lens used for this type of photography is the 50mm f/1.8 lens, an affordable addition for the amateur photographer.
Use a Flash for Bright, Vibrant Shots
A flash unit, also known as a speed-light, will provide a bright burst of light and can be used to achieve a number of different effects. A camera-mounted flash will directly expose the subject to foreground light, which can often be harsh and unforgiving. Fitting a diffuser to a flash unit can soften light, reducing reflections caused by the strobe.
Using a newer flash unit designed for use in digital photography, you can apply manual settings to fine-tune detail or allow the camera to gather exposure and lighting settings through the digital camera itself.
Manipulate Light Sources for Impact
A bounce flash allows the photographer to angle the direction of light in order to use nearby surfaces, bounce cards and screens as diffusers for lighting portrait photographs. Using a flash unit mounted off-camera--either wireless or with a hot-shoe cord--enables the shifting of light source to any desired position.
Multiple Lighting Solutions for Professional Images
Positioning two lights on the subject, a primary source to capture detail and a secondary fill light to minimize loss of detail in shadows will provide rich, detailed exposures. Use two flash units to produce this basic studio setup. Photographers on a budget can place a bounce card or reflector umbrella near the subject to act as a secondary fill light.
Learn to Read Your Histogram
Most digital SLR cameras will record image information in an easy-to-understand histogram, viewable after a photograph has been taken. The histogram records detail in the image and enables the photographer to review the picture for loss of shadow or highlight detail. Bars to the left of the graph display shadows, the middle bars represent mid-tones and bars to the right the highlights. The perfect exposure will have a well-balanced histogram, with no clipping either side of the diagram.
Shoot in RAW
Use your digital camera's ability to capture images in the lossless RAW imaging format, which will have better end results. As opposed to the traditional compressed JPEG format, RAW files will occupy more space on the storage device and will need to be converted before uploading or printing. However, the format gives the photographer an advantage when post-processing the final image, as values such as exposure, white balance and contrast can be adjusted using photo editing software.
With the right lighting conditions, it is possible to take stunning portrait photographs.
Enhance your photography skill,The Top Secret Photography Techniques
. There are a number of techniques a digital photographer can use to capture that perfect photo, using both available light sources and lighting equipment to achieve impressive results.Make Use of Natural Light
Sources of natural light, such as windows, provide an opportunity to light a subject and successfully achieve natural skin tones. An inexpensive way to make use of window light is with a bounce card, which can deflect light upwards toward the subject. Make full use of slightly cloudy conditions, which provide soft light, and avoid direct sunlight to reduce the chance of overexposure and loss of detail.
Be sure to adjust the digital camera's white balance settings. Increasing the digital ISO will help capture more light; however, higher settings can cause grainy images.
Shoot with a Wide Aperture
The wider the aperture, the more light is able to enter the camera. Shooting with a low f-stop (for example, f/2.8) will give an image a shallow depth of field yet allow a large amount of light into the camera. With careful focusing, the photographer can maintain focus on the subject and produce an impressive soft background. A common lens used for this type of photography is the 50mm f/1.8 lens, an affordable addition for the amateur photographer.
Use a Flash for Bright, Vibrant Shots
A flash unit, also known as a speed-light, will provide a bright burst of light and can be used to achieve a number of different effects. A camera-mounted flash will directly expose the subject to foreground light, which can often be harsh and unforgiving. Fitting a diffuser to a flash unit can soften light, reducing reflections caused by the strobe.
Using a newer flash unit designed for use in digital photography, you can apply manual settings to fine-tune detail or allow the camera to gather exposure and lighting settings through the digital camera itself.
Manipulate Light Sources for Impact
A bounce flash allows the photographer to angle the direction of light in order to use nearby surfaces, bounce cards and screens as diffusers for lighting portrait photographs. Using a flash unit mounted off-camera--either wireless or with a hot-shoe cord--enables the shifting of light source to any desired position.
Multiple Lighting Solutions for Professional Images
Positioning two lights on the subject, a primary source to capture detail and a secondary fill light to minimize loss of detail in shadows will provide rich, detailed exposures. Use two flash units to produce this basic studio setup. Photographers on a budget can place a bounce card or reflector umbrella near the subject to act as a secondary fill light.
Learn to Read Your Histogram
Most digital SLR cameras will record image information in an easy-to-understand histogram, viewable after a photograph has been taken. The histogram records detail in the image and enables the photographer to review the picture for loss of shadow or highlight detail. Bars to the left of the graph display shadows, the middle bars represent mid-tones and bars to the right the highlights. The perfect exposure will have a well-balanced histogram, with no clipping either side of the diagram.
Shoot in RAW
Use your digital camera's ability to capture images in the lossless RAW imaging format, which will have better end results. As opposed to the traditional compressed JPEG format, RAW files will occupy more space on the storage device and will need to be converted before uploading or printing. However, the format gives the photographer an advantage when post-processing the final image, as values such as exposure, white balance and contrast can be adjusted using photo editing software.
Digital Photography Tips: Digital Photography School
digital-photography-school.comWelcome to Digital Photography School! Discover how to use your digital camera with our Digital Photography Tips. We are a community of photographers of all ...
Expert photography blogs, tips, techniques, camera reviews ...
www.adorama.com/alcAdorama Learning Center How-to tips, buying guides, tutorials from AdoramaTV, product reviews for better photography, video, and more!
Digital Camera Reviews & Photography Tips
www.dphotojournal.comDigital Photography Reviews, News, Hacks, Tips & Tutorials ... Last Updated (03 July13): - Review & Sample Photos @ Expertreviews. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 is
Digital ProTalk
digitalprotalk.blogspot.comSeated In His History" David A. Ziser. I found this to be a very poignant moment during our recent trip to Monticello, Virginia home to our third president ...
Portrait Photography Lighting Techniques : Portrait Photography ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRHwtLmzus4High-key lighting in portrait photography produces light colors, while low-key lighting produces darker colors. Learn about high-key lighting and low-key ...
Digital Photography Magazine - Your 1 Guide for Better Digital ...
www.dpmag.comOnline and on newsstands, Digital Photo is the top digital photography magazine. Get the latest news, equipment reviews and previews, photography tips and more. Check ...
Photography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography
Photography (derived from the Greek photos- for "light" and -graphos for "drawing") is the art, science, and practice of creating durable images by recording light
Popular Photography Digital Days Photo Tips - Taking better ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHBqM8wieDgA great video on some basic ways you can take better photos, and take your photography to the next level. Brought to you by Digital Days - a nationwide ...
Portrait Photography guide and tips from Photo.net - Page 2
photo.net/learn/portraits/?p=2Our guide to portrait photography contains tips, equipment suggestions, and ideas at Photo.net.
10 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits - Digital Photography Tips ...
digital-photography-school.com/10-ways-to-take-stunning-portrait10 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits. Discover the secrets of stunning portrait photography in this tutorial. by Darren Rowse
0 comments:
Post a Comment