Detailing all the skills photographers need to successfully create natural-light family portraits, this handbook covers all aspects of the process, from attracting clients and planning the session to posing small families or large groups. Techniques for working outdoors, at the familyÕs home, or in a natural-light studio setting are included along with detailed information on post-production, album design, and marketing techniques for attracting clients. Advanced amateur and professional photographers will learn how to create a picture-perfect rendering by manipulating ever-changing and difficult-to-predict outdoor lighting and cultivating a cohesive look through harmonious poses, expressions, and clothing. This unique handbook is essential for family photographers looking to engage the family and bring out their subjectsÕ interpersonal relationships and individual personalities.
This lighting manual shows that successful studio photography does not require a warehouse-sized space brimming with expensive lights, Hollywood-style facades, and a half-dozen assistants making the client lattes. Rather, this guide shows photographers how to create studio lighting effects that range from clean and classic to highly complex and use a garage, spare bedroom, or even a backyard as their “studio.” The simple setups show that one to three small, inexpensive electronic flash units—along with budget-friendly stands, communication systems, and some do-it-yourself light modifiers—can be combined to create brilliant studio-quality images without the studio. Numerous sample shoots and plans provide clear instructions for taking control of any environment to create spectacular images.
The core goal of photography is representing subjects that have depth and texture in a medium that inherently lacks both those qualities, and this book shows the best way to rise to that challenge: through the careful application and capture of lighting. It demonstrates how to accentuate or minimize textures, add or subtract highlights, and create or combat shadows to showcase the subjects in the best way and create the illusion of a third dimension in the images. Exploring techniques for lighting portraits, still-life subjects, nature images, and architectural shots, both studio and location lighting are covered in detail. The book teaches photographers how to study their subjectsÑwith all of the textures, colors, shapes, and surfaces they haveÑthen visualize the image as a finished photograph before the photography actually begins. With chapters that thoroughly cover the science of lighting and visualization, photographers can apply that knowledge and successfully create artful images.
Providing readers with a study of learning how to turn poorly lit images into finely crafted, masterfully lit photographs, this guidebook instills photographers with the self-confidence to think on their feet and photograph any portrait subject anywhere. Acclaimed photographer Neil van Niekirk presents seven distinctly different lighting scenariosÑavailable light, exposure metering, a touch of flash, bounced on-camera flash, off-camera flash, video light, and hard sunlightÑto show readers how to manipulate the direction and quality of light, the subjectÕs and photographerÕs position, and numerous other variables so as to turn a bad image into a stunning, professional-level portrait. Packed with dozens of instructional, full-color photos, this work also features 10 sample photo sessions, allowing readers the opportunity to see the seven lighting scenarios put to practice.
Packed full of useful tips, techniques, and information for both the hobbyist and the professional photographer, this book is an invaluable resource for developing the craft of child photography. Beginning with how to handle children as subjects, it discusses such topics as interacting with children, how to avoid tantrums, letting personality dictate the photo session, and how to capture expressions that parents want. It then explores what good light is, how to find it, how to use it, and how to pose a child in it, as well as exposure, posing, and design fundamentals. Each subject is covered from beginner to advanced level in child photography, so parents and professionals alike will find helpful information. From traditional portraits to lifestyle ones, this book covers all the necessary knowledge for capture stunning images of children.
Covering every aspect of creating portraits in available light, acclaimed professional photographer Doug Box provides tips for finding great natural light, practical approaches for optimizing exposure, and techniques for posing subjects for the most flattering effects. For those situations when “perfect” available light can’t be found, readers are shown how to modify ambient light to suit their purposes—or give it a bump in intensity with a little pop of flash. Additional topics touched upon include proper lens selection, calculating exposure, managing ambient light both indoors and out, shooting at night, and more. A discussion of applying the many techniques to nature and wildlife, travel, and sports photography rounds out this all-encompassing guide to working with available light.
In portrait photography, posing must make the client look amazing, and this book takes photographers through that process from start to finish. With short, one- or two-page lessons that are amply illustrated with before and after images, the book guides the reader through each phase, from the positioning of arms and hands to the degree of the head tilt and shifting the weight. Image sequences showing variations and posing alternatives are also presented to customize a pose for an individual subject, accentuating the assets and minimizing the flaws. Readers are encouraged to take this book with them on shoots and work on replicating or refining the provided examples, creating a self-study course in the art of posing for portrait photography. This thorough guide shows how to get the pose to work within the photo’s composition—sure to give portraits a finished, professional look.
A full-color guide to the art of digital portrait photography Portrait photography entails taking posed photographs of individuals or set scenery and is the most common photo style among the most novice photography hobbyist to the most advanced photographer. With this easy-to-understand guide, bestselling author and professional photographer Doug Sahlin walks you through the best techniques for getting professional-quality digital portraits. Packed with hundreds of full-color photos and screen shots, this book discusses best practices for taking formal portraits, wedding photos, event photos, casual photos, and more. You'll examine the difference between using the built-in flash and natural lighting and take a look at the benefits of upgrading to a photo lighting kit and pro backdrop. Portrait photography is the most popular style of photography Features helpful information for everyone from beginner hobbyists to advanced photographers Shares insider tips for selecting equipment and choosing from the various tools for portrait photography Walks you through working with a wide range of subjects, including children, pets, and wildlife Discusses lighting and editing images Takes a look at ways to create a portrait that is suitable for framing Make sure your subjects are ready for their close ups with this fun and friendly guide to digital portrait photography.
Offering inspiration as well as guidance for portrait photographers to use during sessions with infants and toddlers—notoriously difficult subjects for posing—this guide takes a uniquely visual approach to instruction through its 500 stellar shots. With the challenges faced while working with children, it is easy to end up in a rut of go-to poses. The book counters the stock image effect with its broad variety of creative options, and incorporates experience-based knowledge on achieving successful results, such as creating a comforting zone for the child or the potential assistance of integrated props. The poses highlight what the parents love to see while considering what will work with even the most willful of young subjects.
This comprehensive volume teaches photographers simple approaches for producing client-pleasing family portraits in any location and with the use of minimal equipment. Family photographers must face all of the typical challenges that the average portrait photographer faces, but as the subject numbers increase, so do the number of issues the photographer must confront in order to produce a pleasing, saleable image. The methods used to produce 60 high-end images of actual family groups are shared hereÑincluding what went in to the conceptualization process; the posing and grouping strategies; and how the photographer can establish rapport with his subjects, especially with babies, children, and disinterested teensÑaddress the entire range of obstacles portrait photographers must overcome. Also featured are tips on modifying and manipulating studio and natural light, how to use physical elements as posing aids, and what tools are needed for off-site work. With lighting diagrams and alternate images, each section in this book illuminates the many aspects of family portrait photography, equipping and inspiring photographers to create to create quality, heirloom-worthy images.
Master composition and design to take your photos from okay to wow You already own the most important photography tool—your creative eye. With this book, you’ll learn how classic design and composition principles can be applied to a wide range of photographic situations to create images with impact. Jim Miotke and Kerry Drager, both veteran photographers and experienced instructors, share time-tested design guidelines, composition techniques, even tips on when to break the rules, that will transform the way you make photographs.
Going beyond how to capture memorable family photos, this examination spotlights the special touches and relationship-building skills that turn subjects from clients into friends. The author’s signature techniques for generating repeat business are shared, revealing how to remain a family’s constant photographer for years—from maternity portraits and baby photos to wedding images and senior snapshots. Specific suggestions are featured, including reaching out through social networking sites, blogging, and hosting special parties and events. Offering a comprehensive approach to building a successful portrait business, this handbook demonstrates how relationships with subjects are just as important as the pictures created for them.
