Despres Photography

Posts Tagged ‘equipment’

Photography Course Online - How Using Light Effectively Helps You Capture The Perfect Portrait!

Want to capture the perfect portrait every time? Keep reading to learn some tips professionals use that you can adopt - even without a fancy camera or a studio of your own. Learn what you need to know about simple but effective lighting, flash photography, and more. You should also consider following a photography course online that would guide you step by step until you could take truly memorable portraits time and time again.

Good lighting is key to any successful portrait. With on-camera flash, you encounter problems that detract from a quality picture. For example, flash brightly illuminates your subject in an unnatural, flat light. It can also cast harsh shadows behind your subject - especially if they are positioned near a wall, or some other object. This effect is not attractive. Additionally, flash frequently reflects light from the pupils in the eyes, causing the dreaded red eye effect - something you definitely want to avoid.

Portraits are actually much more interesting if there is some shadow on the portrait, but not harsh background shadows. It is good to work with directional lighting and then use a reflector or some fill lighting to lighten up features that might otherwise fall into deep shadows. You don't want to eliminate the shadows altogether, though. That can make for a portrait that lacks dimension.

Where possible, try ambient light, such as that through a large window, or outdoor light instead. If using supplemental lighting, place a bright, diffused light directly behind where you are standing with the camera. This illuminates the subject's face effectively. You can then add some softer light to one side of the subject to fill in some of the shadows on one side and emphasise the subtle shadows on the other. You could also "bounce" some light from a reflector onto the side of the face, instead of using direct light, so it is less intense.

This set-up creates a well-lit portrait - then you can start experimenting with adjusting the lights to see the effect you can achieve. If the light behind you is very bright, you may need to slightly reduce the exposure on your camera to compensate so the bright light does not overexpose the subject. A decent photography course online would explain in detail exactly how to create these desired lighting effects.

Another approach to try is to place the bright light to one side of the subject and then to place your fill light or a reflector on the opposite side. Your fill or reflected light should always be less intense than the main light. This will show the curves on the face and body more effectively. If you use extra lighting, take note of how it affects your digital image. You may need to adjust the white balance on your camera or set your camera for the kind of lights you are using to avoid yellow or blue colour casts on your photos. You can avoid this if you use natural outdoor light.

For a great outdoor portrait, an overcast but bright, cloudy day works well. The clouds diffuse the sun so the light isn't too strong, yet there is plenty of light to work with. Alternatively, you can photograph in an evenly shaded area. This will also eliminate hot spots or over-exposed highlights on the face in your portrait. Make sure you don't have any light filtering in between leaves and branches, though, as that can look odd when it shows up in your pictures. Avoid using the flash outdoors if you can help it, too.

One great way to add dimension to your portraits and flatter almost every face and body type is to turn the subject's body away from the light about 90 degrees. In other words, have the subject face the light and then turn their body one-quarter turn. This gives shape to the body as the light wraps around it. Now turn the subject's face so it is facing the light. This illuminates the face, which is the focal point of your image. It gives your subject somewhat of a glow, and should result in some catch lights in their eyes, which can really bring a portrait to life!

Using lighting effects successfully can be a little daunting at first, but practice makes perfect - experimentation is key. By following a reliable photography course online you could easily master these, and more, lighting techniques, learning when and how to apply each for optimum results.

About the Author

You can discover the secrets of taking stunning photographs, simply by following a
photography course online
. Please check out
http://www.photographycourseonline.info
for further information.

Photography : Reflectors & Diffusers in Photography

Lightweights for Wheels Reflectors $14.99 Lightweights for Wheels Reflectors. A cycling reflective kit for all kinds of bicycle wheels.

Lightweights Stealth Tape Reflectors $14.99 Lightweights Stealth Tape Reflectors. Black bicycle tape that's reflective? You bet!

Lightweights See Red Reflectors $5.99 Lightweights See Red Reflectors. These cycling reflectors are perfect for rear-facing applications on bikes and trailers, so motorists can see you from behind.

Lightweights for Clothing Reflectors $14.99 Lightweights for Clothing Reflectors. From triathletes to trick-or-treaters, these cycling reflectors keep you visible long after the sun goes down.

On Photography $19.95 First published in 1973, this is a study of the force of photographic images, which are continually inserted between experience and reality....

Optronics Pair Amber Rectangular Reflectors - RE-52AK $1.99 Pair of 3-1/2" adhesive-mount reflectors with black bases. Most Safety and Security products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

Reese Reflectors, Amber, 2 Pack - 73817 $2.29 MPN #73817. Reese Reflectors, Amber, 2 Pack. Most Safety and Security products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

Optronics Pair Red Rectangular Reflectors - RE-52RK $1.99 Pair of 3-1/2" adhesive-mount reflectors with black bases. Most Safety and Security products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

Reese Hitch Quick Mount Reflectors, Red - 73820 $2.59 MPN #73820. Reese Hitch Quick Mount Reflectors, Red. Most Safety and Security products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

Optronics Self-Adhesive Amber Reflectors - RE-12AK $2.09 Pair of self-adhesive oblong reflectors. 3-15/16"W x 1-15/16"H. Most Safety and Security products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

Underwater Photography $205 Bring home the amazing experiences of your scuba diving adventures by learning the art of underwater photography. This class will teach you the basics of shooting pictures underwater so you can share them with your family and friends. They say pictures are worth a thousand words, after completing this class you will be able to let your pictures speak for you!

Travel Photography $24.95 As we travel to new places, digital camera in hand, we all feel the desire to capture them forever in images the scenic vistas, the unique architecture, the people who inhabit that landscape. With this magnificent new study, award-winning National Geographic photographer Bob Krist can help us achieve our goal. Krist examines the technological aspects of shooting digitally on location, and explains how to select the right equipment, from cameras and lenses to flashes and tripods. He offers tips for saving, backing up, and sending images on the road, and gets to the heart of what it takes to portray the true spirit of your subject. He poses such questions as What makes a truly great photograph? How can you create a well-rounded portrait of a place through its geography, people, and culture? The answers are all illustrated with the author and 39;s collection of stunning travel photography to inspire us along the way.

Reese Hitch Quick Mount Reflectors, Round, 2 Pack - 73818 $2.29 MPN #73818. Reese Hitch Quick Mount Reflectors, Round, 2 Pack. Most Safety and Security products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

Optronics Amber Compact Rectangular Reflectors (1 Pair) - RE-10AK $3.24 Pair of amber compact rectangular reflectors. Install using adhesive mounting tape (included). Most Trailer and Towing products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

Hy-ko Prod. Hy-ko Prod. Nail On Blue Reflectors CDRF-3B $1.31 Nail on blue reflectors Plexiglas reflector is mounted in rugged, break-resistant molded plastic 3-1/4? diameter Attach with screws, nails, or bolts 2 per card Blue Brand #: Hy-Ko Prod. CDRF-3B UPC: 029069106225 Keywords: reflector nail on

Hy-ko Prod. Hy-ko Prod. Nail On Red Reflectors CDRF-3R $1.31 Nail on red reflectors Plexiglas reflector is mounted in rugged, break-resistant molded plastic 3-1/4? diameter Attach with screws, nails, or bolts 2 per card Red Brand #: Hy-Ko Prod. CDRF-3R UPC: 029069002039 Keywords: reflector nail on

Hy-ko Prod. Hy-ko Prod. Press On Blue Reflectors CDRF-4B $1.31 Press on blue reflectors Plexiglas reflector with a self-adhesive backing Easy-to-use, just peel off protective backing and press-on to any clean, dry surface 3-1/4? diameter 2 per card Blue Brand #: Hy-Ko Prod. CDRF-4B UPC: 029069106287 Keywords: reflector press on

Hy-ko Prod. Hy-ko Prod. Press On Red Reflectors CDRF-4R $1.31 Press on red reflectors Plexiglas reflector with a self-adhesive backing Easy-to-use, just peel off protective backing and press-on to any clean, dry surface 3-1/4? diameter 2 per card Red Brand #: Hy-Ko Prod. CDRF-4R UPC: 029069002046 Keywords: reflector press on

Evans Inked by Evans Photography Series Kick Drumhead $67.49 Evans Inked by Evans Photography Series Kick Drumhead

The Mountaineers Digital Photography Outdoors 2nd Edition $18.95 The Mountaineers Digital Photography Outdoors 2nd Edition