High angle photography is probably not a technique you'll use very often, but it can come in handy for certain types of shot. It requires you to get up above your subject, and then shoot down on them. Depending on the location, you might be able to get up on a table or chair, or you might have to bring a step ladder with you.
Read the rest of this entry »Are you one of those people who loves to take pictures but the ones you take outside of your friends, family, etc. don't quite turn out the way you want them to. For example their faces are shadowed or there is a harsh glare. Obviously you don't want that to be the case, you want these pictures to turn out beautiful and compliment the people you are taking a picture of.
So here are 5 easy tips for improving the pictures you take with almost any camera.
Read the rest of this entry »Portrait photography is one of the most popular forms of the art. Whether it is a picture taken in a formal studio setting or something set in a more casual scene, you will always want to capture your subject in the best possible way. However, that can be quite a challenge so here are some tips to help you improve your portrait photography skills.
Read the rest of this entry »Have you ever asked yourself why some of your pictures look lifeless, boring or empty? Observe the image; check if the eyes of your subject have a catchlight. If it doesn't, consequently it might be one of the reasons why your portrait is visually monotonous.
A catchlight, or better known as eyelights, is referred to the depiction of the chief source of light that makes an unusual glimmer or flicker. This glint could be typically within the eyes of the subject per se. This is a very important ingredient in adding life or tone towards your portrait and can be seen usually at 10 o‚'clock or 2 o‚'clock in the eyes, where it animates your subject most effectively.
2006_04.09 Isaac closeup by Christine Szeto on flickr (licensed CC-BY)
While many people enjoy taking photos of the sunset, often they will pack up and go home after the sun has disappeared below the horizon. But by doing this you miss out on all the great photos can be taken during twilight - after the sun has set, but before it gets dark.
Crematorium by Sergio Tudela Romero on flickr (licensed CC-BY)
The magic of twilight is that it is dark enough to allow you to capture the lights of a city at night, and light streaks from moving vehicles. However, it is still bright enough to give a beautiful blue tone to the sky, and let you capture photos with a shutter speed measured in seconds rather than minutes.
Read the rest of this entry »When you are photographing someone for a portrait photo, you generally want to capture them at their best and minimize any flaws. Of course, you can touch up portraits in Photoshop, but this can be time consuming, so it's much easier to get it right in camera.
Xue Haowen Headshots by Jonathan Kos-Read on flickr (licensed CC-BY-ND)
Formal portraits are often used by businesses for photos of staff and executives on their website or brochures such as annual reports. The portraits are usually taken in a studio or at the business premises, but either way it is usually important that the portraits give a professional appearance.
Image based on Linda Jones by A Healthier Michigan (licensed CC-BY-SA)
