Introduction

With the introduction and ongoing development of digital photography equipment, the medium of photography has become far more accessible and tangible to the wider public. For many amateurs and semi-professionals cameras and technology that effectively do the thinking have taken away the control of constructing a well-composed, crafted and considered image, with the artistic and creative process being overshadowed by gimmicks, plug-ins and effects. However, photographers wishing to progress beyond 'program' mode, where the camera makes the choices when producing the image, would be advised to learn the tried and tested rules and tools employed by photographers from film and high-end digital photography if they wish to develop and progress their work and ultimately take control of their image making.

With this in-depth guide to portrait photography the photographer will be taken through the basic rules of portraiture, with the emphasis on getting it right in-camera and learning to use the camera as a tool for image making rather than relying on presets and modes to create the final photograph.

Every aspect of the art form will be discussed, from cameras and lenses through to the final print, and all the various stages in between. For the professional photographer there is informative advice on how to get the best from your clients, including how to communicate effectively and how to pose your subject sympathetically to create successful and meaningful images. Overall the intention is to Introduction give the reader a deeper knowledge of portraiture, enabling a more considered and informed mind when producing images.

In response to the quip at a dinner party from a woman down-scaling the skill associated with making photographs: 'But Jack, anyone can take a photograph!' Yes you are correct, but only some people can make a camera sing and dance.

- Jack Picone

Each chapter has a main focus, giving accurate up-to-date information for each area of portraiture, and structured so the photographer can choose to read relevant subsections or the chapter as a whole. Some of the information within the book is relevant to other areas of photography as well as portrait photography, and over time the reader will be ready to move towards the more advanced tips and techniques within each chapter.

For those who wish to proceed onto more complex ideas or equipment each chapter offers a Masterclass to help the reader to experiment and push the boundaries of lighting and creativity to find a personal style in their own portraiture. The Masterclass sections are intended to inspire the reader to use the camera and the light more and more creatively, pushing the boundaries and breaking the rules; these are the photographers that will make the camera 'sing and dance' rather than just take photographs.

You have within this volume all the information and advice needed to produce stunning high-quality and meaningful portraits of your clients and to approach a portrait shoot with confidence.

CHAPTER BY CHAPTER.

The guide is set out in chronological order, as a photographer would approach a shoot, from the initial contact with the client right through to post production and printing of the final piece.

1 The Photographer

It is often said that it is the photographer, not the camera, that takes the image. The first chapter discusses the necessary qualities and abilities needed to become a successful portrait photographer, paying particular attention to the need for professionalism and developing the vital communication skills. The central task is how to create the right impression and deliver to the subject's expectations so that they become long-term clients.

The Masterclass in this chapter is designed to encourage the photographer to develop a unique style and way of working so that they may set their work apart from other portrait photographers.

2 The Camera

Starting with the camera set-up, this chapter explains the correct settings to use for your camera in manual mode, and why doing so will enable you to be in complete control of the outcome of your photography. We will concentrate on using the camera and equipment correctly to obtain the best results from the portrait sittings.

Camera file formats such as RAW, TIFF and JPEG are explained in depth, along with how best to use these formats to record and store photographic images and the reasons why. Thorough explanations of ISO (film sensitivity), shutter speeds and the aperture settings will enable the photographer to understand the basics of light entering the camera and how each variable can affect the outcome of the image.

Appropriate uses of lenses will be covered in general terms and then followed with more specific direction as to the correct choices when taking portraiture images; this section will also cover the pros and cons of zoom lenses and prime lenses. This is followed by discussion of depth of field and what it means, and how understanding the term can create more meaningful portraiture, by developing a perspective and more considered focal point of the image. There is guidance on how the photographer is able to utilize the various focus techniques in camera to highlight the primary points of the image, with details on the methods available and how each should be employed. In-camera light metering will also be covered with the variety of systems available to the photographer and the lighting situations where they can be used effectively.

The Masterclass will go into more depth about the relationship between ISO, ƒ-stops and shutter speeds and how they can be used together to create different styles of images.

3 The Client

The various aspects of managing clients are covered here. Posing of clients of all ages will be discussed from pregnancy portraits through to large family groupings, with an in-depth examination of how to connect with them and draw the best results from each studio sitting. The guide emphasizes the use of eye contact and constant communication with the subject, which are critical when conducting a shoot to put the client at ease and to create a relaxed atmosphere. Tried and tested tricks and tips for each age group will be given with some examples of solid saleable images (hotshots) for each.

The general dos and don'ts of posing are explained, with common mistakes and bad practices highlighted, with particular emphasis on the reasons why certain poses should be avoided. The use of poses that are particularly good for feminine or masculine subjects is explained and the reasons why they are used to distinguish gender, with a posing guide for each. The importance of how to pose the subject's hands correctly is discussed in detail with explanations of certain hand gestures and placements and their connotations within portraiture.

The Masterclass will cover body language and how the photographer can utilize the reading of the body to get the most success from the client.

Fig. 0.1
Knowing how to draw expressions from all ages is a true skill. Getting the best results from each client should be the priority of the portrait photographer.
Image taken in the studio. Smoke Gray Colourama, 1 Elinchrom BRXi 500, Octa 100cm softbox key light, background light with honeycomb, Nikon D2Xs and 24-70 lens.

Fig. 0.2
Developing a strong client relationship will ensure that they return again and again. One of the great pleasures of being a portrait photographer is to watch the babies and children grow over the years.
Image taken in the studio. Smoke Gray and Poppy Colourama, 1 Elinchrom BRXi 500, Octa 100cm softbox key light, background light with honeycomb, Nikon D2Xs and 24-70 lens.

4 In the Studio

Mastering studio lighting and accessories is vital in enabling you to shape and bring depth to your portraits in the studio environment. In this chapter you will discover the joy of learning how the studio and the lighting can give ultimate control over light and shade within an image, and how this can create wonderful and meaningful graphic imagery.

Starting with the basics of how the light works, we move on to light meters and their use in the studio environment, from how to take a reading to understanding how to balance the light between two light sources. The anatomy of the studio flash with its various components and settings is outlined, enabling the photographer to understand how the light is produced, and how the modelling bulb can be used to predetermine how the light will behave. In addition the wide variety of lighting accessories and modifiers is summarized, with details of how they are used to manipulate the light and how they ultimately can affect the final image. The correct camera settings for the use of studio flash are discussed, with an explanation of why the photographer needs to use these.

The most common lighting techniques used by the studio portrait photographer are explained in detail, with what to look for when using the lights to create these various effects, including high-key and low-key lighting, butterfly, Rembrandt and rim lighting, amongst others.

The Masterclass will encourage the photographer to think more creatively with regards to studio lighting, encouraging them to try more advanced and experimental forms of lighting, such as silhouettes.

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