Three Tips for Better Portraits

Lighting modifiers come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Here, we’ll focus on modifiers that provide diffusion panels that effectively make the light bigger relative to the portrait subject’s head. Shoot-through umbrellas, softboxes and simple light panels can all do the job effectively. You just have to select the best options for the way you…

Here’s one of my favorite flash photography setups that’s not only quick to set up but delivers magazine-quality portraits every time, once you get the hang of it. If you’re a portrait photographer looking for an easy lighting solution that works reliably in a variety of environments, this technique is one you need to know….

Learning about portrait lighting, especially flash portraiture, can be challenging. Enlisting the aid of your friends or someone in your family is always a good idea. You can practice with a real person and avoid the fees of a model. But let’s face it, people are only so patient; nobody wants to sit there for…

Backlighting is an effective way to create beautiful ethereal looks and other moody effects.  In this video, I offer several examples of backlighting techniques.  We’ll talk about natural backlight (from the sun) as well as flash photography techniques.  Some of the tips include using one (or more) umbrella modifiers, a vinyl shower curtain, or a…

One of the most important concepts every serious photographer should understand is the exposure triangle. Here, I’ll break down the three components of exposure: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, and discuss how they work together to create an image in your camera. What is the Exposure Triangle? The exposure triangle is the relationship between three…

All you need is to create one-light dramatic portraits is a single flash or constant light source.  It’s not complicated.  In fact, it’s incredibly easy and can help open the door to more creative portraiture. I’ll show you how to do it using examples from a recent photoshoot. Any simple flash or constant light will…