Portrait Photography - A Primer

Portrait photograpy is the art of capturing human faces in a number of situations and capturing a variety of emotions. The whole idea is to adequately capture the personality of the subject as well as their image.

Portrait photography doesn't have to be restricted to the studio either, as many people wish their portraits to be shot on location or in their own homes as well as the the traditional studio setup. Plus, one less glamourous aspect of portrait photography is for pictures used on official documents such as passports and the like.

How to Start a Photography Business Using Microstock Sites

While photography can be a rewarding and fun hobby, it can also be a full time profession for many talented and skilled photographers. Not everyone can be a photographer for Sports Illustrated or Glamour but that doesn't mean that you can't make a good living from photography. Microstock photography, for instance, is a relatively new concept and a great way to make a little extra cash.

Understanding the Basics About Microstock Photography?

Digital Photo Tips - The Art of Photographing Women

A quick glance around any museum will reveal an amazing number of images of the female figure. Women have been used in art throughout history. Today, women are the chief focus of photography used by the fashion industry and "glam" magazines, and they appear in newsstands by the thousands each week, where they are seen as brides, movie stars, homemakers and athletes.

So, how do photographers insure they are capturing women at their best? While a whole host of studio "tricks" and software "improvements" are used commercially, through some simple techniques and efforts the photography of women can be achieved with great results.

For example, those "glam" girl images that are becoming popular again can be achieved in a variety of ways. Black and white images of the popular World War II era "pin up" girls are achieved in well-lit studio settings.

It is important to remember that bright light can wash away dark circles under the eyes, the appearance of cellulite and even brighten a smile. While this may be the most simplified lighting scheme, some photographers examine studio photographs from the golden age of Hollywood and copy the dramatic lighting that was employed to great affect.

For example, a wash of light across the eyes of a black and white subject can deliver a great deal of glamour. Additionally, many photographers will apply filters to soften the appearance of the face or flesh of the subject.

Another form of glamour photography is the later "pin up" trend in color photography. The classic images were inspired by popular art, and features buxom ladies in "rockabilly" dress. These images also call for special lighting, and many photographers apply the effects desired in their software program and not the studio. It is important to remember that such photos are never intended to be crude, but instead should be alluring and always feminine.

Another highly feminine manner of photographing women is as brides. For many brides, their wedding day is a highly emotional event, and it may be challenging for a photographer to capture her at her best. One method commonly used by professionals is to review a list of required shots the bride would like taken, this way she will be able to compose herself during these moments.

Additionally, the photographer should examine the sight where the wedding service and reception are to be held to get a good understanding of the lighting required for the best photographs.

Photographing women in creative ways is a wonderful way to experiment in photography, or even earn a living. The images can be romantic or artistic, and should always seek to capture the subject in a flattering manner.

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The Modern Movement of Photography

In the process of time, portrait and wedding photography has changed from the traditional approaches of formal portraiture to the less formal. The appeal of more relaxed and the natural poses are more personal and reflective of who the portrait is really about.

The movement of more casual styles may have been influenced by the current fashion photography that emphasizes untraditional poses. Fashion photography emphasizes details through techniques in lighting instead of using rigid poses. Also the digital camera has provided a high level of flexibility with nearly unlimited frames where the right shot doesn't have to be created, but rather just captured.

The modern day photographer doesn't have to be in a studio, in fact most people today don't want their picture taken in a studio. A natural and relaxed photo can be achieved anywhere.

Post processing has lead to this movement in the fact that pictures that aren't perfect can be made perfect. Natural poses will yield unexpected results. The best picture may be one where there is a tree branch in the way, or a stop sign in the back ground, or maybe even a little bit of bad posture.

All of this can be fixed in post production software. Even some free software can be used to make such corrections. And of course the all popular Photoshop seems to be the all in one tool for post production.

Does that mean the traditional way of photography is dead? Well quite the contrary. Traditional poses have been around since the beginning of time with paintings and certainly continue today in modern photography.

The concept is not as popular but the possibilities have been enhanced ten fold with modern day technology. Posed shots have shifted from the "glamour" shot of yesterday into dramatic enhanced effects of background and lighting to reveal fairy tale like effects that can seem almost magical. The possibilities are endless with todays post processing techniques.

The wonderful thing about photography today is it doesn't need sophisticated studio equipment or a huge investment. A good digital camera is very affordable and there are simple ways with a natural lighting, couple of lighting sources, and a decent post production software to make incredible and professional portraits.

No matter what equipment you use, what techniques you are interested in, the essential goal remains about portrait photography: To idealize the subject. The best pictures portray information about a person's self. This can't be achieved with words and must be achieved by the pose, the lighting, and the surrounding elements in the picture.

The best way to do this is to make sure you know your subject before you take pictures of them. Then begin taking snap shots. The beauty of digital cameras is that you can see your results right away to see if you are taking pictures that are capturing the personality of your subject.

Now that you know it is important to capture your subject's "self", you must also know that it is your job to make your subject look good. There are a few ways you can bring out the best in a subject, but the easiest way is to make sure you have a good lens.

For portrait photography with 35mm format try using a 80mm lens. For medium format try using a lense between 100-120mm. The longer lenses will have a slight pinching effect that will make your subject appear slightly thinner.

With the movement in modern day photography there are opportunities for all types of photographers and the possibilities are endless. We are only seeing the beginning of the digital age and there is more to come in the near future.

Bill Cotter is an author for http://www.memoriesputtomusic.com about wedding photography phoenix Beyond just more information about phoenix wedding photography, Bill also writes about being a wedding photographer.