Portrait Photographer in Anchorage, AK

Below are a few photography techniques you can use to enhance your shots and turn your good portraits into great portraits: Diffuse your light source. When selecting an environment, consider that a soft, diffused natural light from an indirect source is best for shooting portraits. Direct, harsh light or a full sun can cast unwanted dark shadows or create unnatural skin colors. Use a diffuser like a soft box or a white sheet to help soften the light and produce a more flattering effect. Use a longer lens. A 50mm lens is considered a mid-range telephoto lens, and a standard length many portrai

The Importance of Light

Most “serious” photographers use a long lens to capture more pleasing images. There are a few exceptions, but by and large a long lens is best to accentuate features, add a “meaty” feel to your portraits, and produce a more flattering image. Most photographers I know use a 50mm or a 65mm lens at a minimum. Just as light is important to shooting portraits, a subject’s skin tone is just as important. Skin tones should be defined using neutral white balance. Light sources with red or orange casts will turn a more flattering tone, and anything green, blue, or purple is the opposite of flattering and creates an unnatural look. When you create a pleasing skin tone with white balance, you’ll have a great chance of capturing a great photograph.

Consider Your Background

The background of your photograph can have a big effect on how your subject looks. How you place your subject in the frame, the objects in the background, or what the background is composed of can all influence how a person is perceived. If your subject faces into a window, the window’s view of the world can be intimidating, which can make them look downcast or unhappy. The opposite is true if your subject faces out into a busy street scene. A busy scene can give your subject a more energetic look, making them look confident and in control. Pay attention to what’s around you. While taking landscape shots, pay attention to what’s in your surroundings. Check to see if there are any objects obstructing your view of your subject. Look at trees, tall buildings, signs, benches, and fences.

Select Your Camera Settings

Camera settings like ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture, and Focus, can be the difference between a successful photo shoot and a miserable experience. When you photograph subjects with a lot of color (such as sporting events, formal portraits, and landscapes), you should shoot in bursts or at high ISO (usually around 400 or 500). When you shoot in low light situations (such as outdoor portrait or street photography), you should shoot at slower shutter speeds and lower apertures to prevent the photos from being blurry or grainy. Also, when photographing people in bright light, you need to allow a greater depth of field or more light to enter the lens. Don’t wait until the last minute to set up a shot.

Get the Shot

Prairie Girl I love the following quote by iconic artist, director, producer, photographer, and Academy Award winner, Alfred Hitchcock: “A picture can tell a thousand words. This one tells more than any I ever took.” Check out my example above and let me know what you think. I love the catchlight effect created by the long light source in the portrait. This is a well-deserved A for me! For more on this concept of “see what’s there, rather than what’s hiding”, click here. Final Thoughts The more you become familiar with the camera, the better your photography will become. Through trial and error you can learn to master the camera and the learning curve will be minimal. Just remember to take it easy and don’t over think.

Tips for Shooting with an iPhone

Sometimes, it is not practical or appropriate to lug around a large camera to take photos with your smartphone. The most important thing you can do to ensure your phone’s camera is of a high quality is to get it a tripod! A tripod provides the foundation and the stability your camera needs. If you are traveling and are only able to use your phone camera for casual snapshots, it is a good idea to get a quality ultra-wide angle lens, such as a 16mm or 22mm lens. Ultra-wide angle shots provide a sense of the entire environment surrounding your subject. Experiment with Pro Capture Mode. Pro Capture Mode allows you to take multiple photos and choose the best one. Once you select the photo you want, the photo is automatically saved into your camera roll. Spotify and Auto Focus.