In portrait photography, the hands can be everything. People talk with their hands often when they're trying to be very expressive. When someone doesn't use their hands, it's a bit odd. And hands can be a very big part of portrait photography.
We all know that headshot photography is all about capturing the essence of our subjects - their personality, character, and unique qualities that make them stand out.
A photographer captured the portraits of South Korea's legendary "Grandma Divers," elderly women who freedive deep into the ocean for seafood. [Read More]
I. Love. Film. If there were an opportunity only to photograph and develop film today, I would do it in a heartbeat. I miss the smell of the chemicals, the sound of running water, and the amber light in the darkroom.
Mother’s Day is about a few things: flowers, lunch or dinner together, and of course, family photo time, a good opportunity to update the archive with images of us all together again. [Read More]
"Thrifting is my middle name," says photographer Aline Smithson. "I did do some of that, I used some of my own wardrobe, and photographer friends shared some clothing too. " Aline is quite the photographer.
There is a common misconception that men are much easier to photograph. While this holds when it comes to men’s much less demanding styling, women can be every bit as easy to work with as men. Understanding a bit of psychology at play, setting expectations, and communication are vital elements of a successful shoot.
“Covid was a new and invisible terror,” the photographer Aaron Yeandle remembers. “March 2020 was a very scary time, as we were just seeing and hearing about these mass deaths all over the world. ” In Guernsey, where Yeandle is based, the first lockdown ran for 88 days, starting on March 24th.
Photographer Maren Klemp’s new series “Hidden Light” is a fine art project that melds infrared, landscape, and portraiture to create scenes that appear as windows to a different world.
One of the bigger personal projects I’ve been working on recently is my Cinematic Studio Lighting course. During the process of writing the accompanying notes and shooting promotional images for the event, I’ve done a ton of research on how cinematographers and directors of photography work, think, and plan their shots. Warning: This article contains […]
Bryan Adams — a musician perhaps best known for his hit “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” — has been tapped to photograph the 2022 Pirelli calendar. The singer-turned-photographer is currently shooting the likes of Iggy Pop, Jennifer Hudson, and Grimes.
"How important is that photo of you with your parents?" asks photographer Christopher Michel when asked about portraiture. "I’m guessing pretty darn important. . . Photography is a kind of alchemy – photographs almost always become more valuable over time.
"I'm not really a photographer at all," proclaimed Platon in the opening of his 2017 Netflix documentary. Hearing this left me feeling perplexed. How could someone who had dedicated so much to the craft tell the world he's not a photographer? Four years later, I was given the opportunity to speak to him.
Fact: most people go about getting those gorgeous golden skin tones using post-production. But what if I told you you didn't need to. Instead, you can get it by shooting in-camera, and you won't need post-production.
Photographer Louis Dazy always amazes me. He works with film and has done a whole lot involving the neon portrait trend. But Louis takes it further. You see, Louis is an actual creative with amazing amounts of foresight.
When shooting portraits on location, choosing the right background is critical, and just like anything in photography, there is no one size that fits all. Let’s break them down into different scenarios.
For many photographers, the 85mm focal length is synonymous with portraiture. Whenever the topic of portrait photography comes up, the discussion inevitably involves the use of 85mm lenses. But why is the 85mm focal length so closely associated with portrait photography and how can you best utilize it in your portraiture work? That's precisely what we're covering today with our latest original Phoblographer infographic.
"I like the look of seeing the numbers from the film and the entire strip because it brings more depth to the image," relates photographer Cameron Mosier about his unique portrait shot on film. "A fun thing about the image is the imperfections.
Nikon has a good track record of producing cameras that portrait photographers love. Thanks to Nikon's color science, the tank-like build quality of their cameras, and the vast library of prime and zoom lenses that can be used, Nikon cameras suit the genre well.
While Canon's cameras may be lacking in features compared to some of the other cameras that are on the market, that does not mean that they are any less capable when it comes to helping you create gorgeous images.
Portrait photographer Manny Ortiz recently got the chance to try out Canon’s recent autofocus update for the EOS R, and the news is good: according to Ortiz, the update has “dramatically improved” Eye AF performance and totally changed the usability of the EOS R for portraiture. Canon made much of its recent firmware update for […]
Using the right lens for the kind of photography you want to do. For portrait photography, for example, the 50mm f1.8 is one of the best and most recommended. If you're still looking for a portrait lens to serve as your go-to glass for your shoots, this collection of photos may prove to you why the 50mm f1.8 makes a good choice.
Using the right lens for the kind of photography you want to do. For portrait photography, for example, the 50mm f1.8 is one of the best and most recommended. If you're still looking for a portrait lens to serve as your go-to glass for your shoots, this collection of photos may prove to you why the 50mm f1.8 makes a good choice.
A quick browse at #Polaroid on Instagram will show a mix of mostly random, but among the most eye-catching are the portraits, with either a fashion slant or a more experimental look. Dig into the hashtags and accounts and you'll start to narrow down the posts to actual Polaroid photos, with even more interesting portraits popping up.
As a portrait photographer, it can often be difficult to keep thing interesting in the studio. Adding a unique element to your images can help them stand out while also allowing you to have little fun.
A little while ago I was teaching one of my lighting workshops and one of the attendees was looking to implement some of the set-ups I was sharing into his workflow. Seems simple enough right? Well, it turns out this photographer was a Formula 1 trackside shooter that needed to get portraits of drivers and […]
Photographing portraits using natural light as the sole light source have become such a rage lately that some photographers have branded themselves as "Natural Light Only Photographers." While you can certainly create some stunning images with the proper use of only natural light, understanding how light behaves and being able to harness light in all of its forms, natural or otherwise, will help shape you into a better, more complete photographer.
For the uninitiated, Golden Hour describes the short, fleeting period of time just after the sun had risen or immediately before it is about to set. During this momentary window, the sun appears very close to the horizon and produces a quality of available light that tends to be beautifully diffused and typically embodies a warmer tone than usual.
I like to be very aware of my influencers and the effect they have on my work. When I find that I particularly like an image from another photographer, I will give it a lot of thought before I try and apply any of my analysis to my own images. Photographing people is one of […]
With the number of portrait photographers proclaiming that they only shoot in natural light perplexingly on the rise, one begs to question why someone wouldn't want to have full control over how they lit their portrait subjects.
With the number of portrait photographers proclaiming that they only shoot in natural light perplexingly on the rise, one begs to question why someone wouldn't want to have full control over how they lit their portrait subjects.
For most kids, deciding what to wear for Halloween is an exciting time to make a yearly memory. This is no different for my own daughter. However, this year, she received her costume from a neighbor as a hand-me-down.
Want to shoot powerful portraits? One of the keys to doing so is focusing on your subject’s eyes. This 2. 5-minute video by Light Club is an inspiring look into this critical facet of portraiture.
While the fashion world has been found guilty of promoting unreasonable beauty standards, fashion photographers like Elena Iv-skaya bring back our faith in the industry. In her latest set Double Beauty, Iv-skaya skillfully uses contrasts in skin color as a canvas to showcase beauty in diversity.
One of the best places to shoot natural light portraits is, well, outdoors! Find out how you can use the natural light available outdoors in these quick tutorials. Previously, we’ve shared an Adorama TV tutorial by Mark Wallace showing how to shoot natural light portraits indoors. But of course, that’s not the only way to
We're very well aware of the fact that 35mm full frame lenses have improved significantly over the years. In fact, 35mm lenses can be used pretty commonly for portraits at this point. If you think about this, then medium format must have become proportionally better, right?
Portrait photography is often a reason for many people to initially get into photography. Be that for taking portraits of their children or family, or simply just having an interest in capturing images of people.
Portrait photography is often a reason for many people to initially get into photography. Be that for taking portraits of their children or family, or simply just having an interest in capturing images of people.
In October 2017, I visited a good friend in Seattle, Washington, who runs an international animal rescue organization. Animals can have a positive impact on people’s lives. Unfortunately, I also saw and learned how much animals suffer abuse around the world.
This post may genuinely sound like an ad, but it really isn't as I've followed FTC laws since the first days of this blog. Instead, it's just genuine praise for pretty much everything about the system with the exception of folding the damn backdrop back down into a portable configuration.
For budding photographers who are just starting out with portraiture, finding models to practice with can be a challenge. Not all of us are blessed with good-looking friends or big funds to hire models from agencies.
In an interview last year, we had a peek at one of the compelling portrait projects of Liam Warton and found out his beginnings in photography through film. He also mentioned how shooting analog was for him one of the best ways to read light and learn the basics.
Looking into improving your portrait photography? In a recent Adorama video, Sony Artisan Miguel Quiles gives a quick rundown of the three mistakes photographers typically make when shooting portraits, and how you can avoid or correct them.
The cinematic aesthetic is one of the big trends photographers from various genres are currently jumping into, for a good reason. It creates beautiful results that effectively evoke emotions and sentiments to the viewer.
One of the 50mm focal lengths most popular uses though is portraiture; and if you are new to the 50mm focal length you may be wondering how you can get the best results when you are using one for portraits.
Photographer Eric Pare recently went out into the desert and shot a set of photos showing a model sitting next to the moon. And the size of the moon in the photos wasn’t faked. Pare managed to capture a gigantic moon by using a 1120mm lens and having his model sit very far away. Pare […]
Photographer Jeff Rojas is trying to break the stereotype that men aren't as easy to work with as women are when it comes to shooting portraits. He's already put out a full book on Photographing Men, and he's also got some tutorials on how to photograph the "Average Joe.
One of the qualities that make childhood memories powerful subjects for any creative work is their universality. While we differ in experiences, the nostalgia of our younger years is something that we all feel once in a while.
Today, the distinct look of film photography is sought after not only by ardent film shooters and professional photographers looking for alternate mediums, but apparently, by brands as well. It's not even limited to independent brands anymore, as George Muncey of Negative Feedback proves with a recent large format portrait shoot for Dickies.
IRIS is a new photo booth that’s designed to shoot “professional” portraits of professionals for only $20. Instead of looking like typical photo book snapshots, the portraits are supposed to look like they were shot by a headshot photographer with studio lighting.
Most professional portrait photographers exclusively use strobes for a variety of reasons, but commercial photographer and director Isaac Alvarez explains that in some circumstances, there are still reasons to use constant lights. [Read More]
How does renowned portrait photographer Albert Watson light his photos? With a foolproof three-light setup that makes his photos look amazing, of course! Except… he doesn’t. In fact, setups are very far from what professional photographers do when they light their work.
You don’t often see photographers using gels outdoors in natural light, but why? I think one of the core reasons you don’t see too many natural light gel shots, is that you need a lot of power and control from your lights to make gels visible in daylight. Whenever we’re outside during the daytime, sunlight […]
Picking the right light modifier is often crucial to the success of the image. With hundreds of different modifiers to choose from, there is really nothing you can’t do. However, a wide choice often ends up confusing or possibly scaring photographers.
Just about everyone feels some discomfort when posing for photographs. Whether they’ve never had a professional photoshoot before or stiffen up in front of the camera, getting the perfect shot can be difficult.
Back when I started out as a photographer in the mid-1990s, I had to figure everything out by myself. I made a lot of mistakes, but in doing so I learned a great deal. To help others, I have put together this list of 100 tips that every beginner photographer should hear. If you want […]
Los Angeles-based pet and family photographer Danielle Spires has been shooting humorous portraits of people and their pets in the style of 1980s-style studio portraits. “I had been photographing my own cats in this 80’s Olan Mills style for years, and suddenly in 2018 I found out both of my cats had been diagnosed with […]
Celebrity portrait photographer Daniel Kennedy was recently commissioned to shoot a spread for Billboard Magazine, his first job since the widespread lockdowns caused by COVID-19. He took the opportunity to give us a look at what magazine shoots might look like as the world begins to open back up. Thus far, most “lockdown” photo shoots […]
We are living in unprecedented times. As a photographer of social events (weddings), individual, family, business portraits and sports, the recent closing of schools and the virtual shut down of our towns and cities—basically our lives as we have known it—has shut everything down. It is a difficult time for so many and I am […]
Photographer and YouTuber Irene Rudnik was recently scrolling through Instagram when she stumbled across some beautiful blue-hour snow portraits by photographer @kateblc. Like any good artist, she decided to run with that inspiration, and in the video above, she takes us along behind the scenes to see how she captured a beautiful holiday-themed nighttime portrait […]
So you have just picked up your first light or you have had one light for a while now, and you are wondering what more you can create with just that one light. Well, you can create loads. I see many post/comments from photographers saying they can’t do this or that as they only have […]
I picked up a camera in 2008, and I laid my mother to rest in 2010. Guess what I never got around to? That’s right: I never created a real portrait of her before we said goodbye. Back then, I knew I wanted to be a portrait photographer. I was starved for subjects. And after […]
Salt Lake City-based photographer Dewey Keithly recently came up with an unusual way to edit the look of portraits: he creatively burned them by igniting gunpowder across the surface of the giant prints.
In this article, I am going to highlight 5 key things that I see portrait photographers doing that I consider to be “in need of improvement.” And although there are no hard-and-fast rules to photography, try to think of it as being similar to an instrument being slightly out of tune or a meal that’s […]
I’ve been doing professional portrait and fashion photography for over 3 years now, but from the very beginning I have always considered myself an “aspiring photographer,” because you never stop improving and looking for new challenges.
Creating a do-it-yourself lighting setup for dappled natural light backgrounds isn’t as tricky or as involved to achieve as some setups and techniques, but it is a nice little idea to play with if the occasion arises.
Of the many creative photographic genres, it is perhaps portrait photography where two camps—the representative and the artistic—can be most clearly observed. Whilst the former requires context through captions and backstory to elevate it, in the later, the absence of such requires creative aptitude.
We are living in unprecedented times. As a photographer of social events (weddings), individual, family, business portraits and sports, the recent closing of schools and the virtual shut down of our towns and cities—basically our lives as we have known it—has shut everything down. It is a difficult time for so many and I am […]
Photographer Tajreen Hedayet of Tajreen&Co has released a simple, straight-to-the-point tutorial that will show you how to capture soft, colorful, ‘dreamy’ looking portraits even if you don’t have much budget to work with.
There are color portraits that are displayed in black and white, and there are black and white portraits... these 35 photos fall into the second category. The post 35+ Best Black and White Portraits on 500px appeared first on 500px Blog.
There are color portraits that are displayed in black and white, and there are black and white portraits... these 35 photos fall into the second category. The post 35 Fantastic Black and White Portraits on 500px appeared first on 500px Blog.
In honor of Asian Heritage Month, we spoke to five photographers about their creative journeys, why they chose photography, how they’ve honed their craft, and more.
If you don’t have access to a full cyclorama wall or large studio, you’re in luck. In this 2-minute video, I’ll teach you how to create a pure white background and light the subject using a single light source.
It’s not often I get to shoot very simple, clean white light shots, but in a recent shoot the model asked if she could get some updated ‘Polaroids’. For those of you not familiar with the term when used in reference to a model shoot, it’s actually not the now-obsolete and ludicrously expensive single-shot film, […]
We're thrilled to unveil the second instalment of our favorite photos of the year, showcasing the talent, creativity, and passion of 500px photographers.