The Basics Of Portrait Photography

A portraiture, simply known as a portrait, is a picture that centers on a person or small group’s facial expression while they are in a still position. The person or group’s personalities, moods and likeness emerge through. Portrait photography doesn’t always have to be just a face within a photograph; the whole body & the background can be included also. When shooting a portrait photograph the person or group is usually looking straight at the lens.

Unlike other styles of picture taking, portrait photography doesn’t usually include professionals. Graduations, special events and weddings are types of occasions where portrait photography is used, and later displayed in private homes. Some are done on studio with several backgrounds to select from.

A Bit of History

Ever since the invention of the camera people have been using portrait photography. Having your portrait painted was expensive & not as available. People would sit against a background and were lit with natural light from a window. With technology’s innovations photographers have the power to take pictures with less exposure time allowing them more freedom to move around and create new styles of portrait photography.

Methods Of Light

Portrait photographs can be done in a studio where the photographer can adjust the light when capturing portraits. They can change the direction and the intensity. Kicker lights, fill lights, background lights and the main lights are a few of the various lighting terms.

The most important source of light is obviously known as the main light. It is usually at a 45 degree angle of the subject but it can also be positioned above or below as well.The main light can create shadows so the fill light helps to eliminate them. The kicker light is the light that brightens up the hair of a subject. This will help to add depth & to show the separation from the subject & the background. To add effects to the backdrops the background light is used to brighten up the background.