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Outdoor Portrait Photography - Learn All About It Here

Portrait photography is a major part of any photographic business.  While some photographers like to shoot them in a studio, where it is easier to control the environment, many others like the challenge of outdoor portrait photography.  An extraordinary portrait will show who a person is, therefore you must talk to the client and get to know them.  Outdoor lighting takes a little more finesse to control, and, as with any portrait, you must get the right pose to be successful.  In order to learn all about outdoor portrait photography, we will need to examine these three topics.

Only by sitting down and talking to each client can you get an idea of their personality.  Getting to know what hobbies they have, what kind of person they are, and what they are like is the only way you will be able to bring them to life in a two dimensional image. The decision between a studio or outdoor setting, for the perfect portrait, will be easier to make once you have determined your clients personality.

A clients interest in gardening, hiking, camping, or horseback riding, can give you an insight as to which outdoor setting you might choose.  The clients backyard, or a favoured camping spot with hiking or riding trails, are some settings that may be appropriate in these instances.   A nervous client might be more comfortable, and therefore more relaxed for the photo shoot in a familiar environment, allowing their personality to come forward easier.

Your setting is now established, let's get the lighting right.  The time of day for shooting outdoor portrait photography is a big factor.   The direct, and often harsh sunlight of midday should be avoided.  Also, if the sun is too low, or in the eyes of your client, it may cause them to squint.  The eyes need to be open, and the main focus of the portrait, as it is said that the eyes are the window to the soul.

Try to shoot the portrait on a slightly cloudy day.   Clouds will diffuse the harsh sunlight and, if your camera angle is low, can add a stunning effect to your background as well.  If, however, you are in bright sunlight you can hang a diffusing shield above your subject, or even an electronic flash will help.  Light from a different direction and height will help to fill in the dark shadows caused by direct sunlight, and remote umbrella flash units, or a camera mounted flash will provide the needed light fill for you.

A reflecting screen, or board is another piece of equipment that will fill in those unsightly shadows as well.  Even the harshest sunlight can be softened with the proper positioning of your reflector.  Find the optimum placement through experimentation, and enjoy the professional looking results. 

Now that you have chosen a setting, and the lighting is the way you want it, you have the background from which your client's personality will shine through.  The tricky part is, what to do with their body.  Well let's see, perhaps some clothing is required.  However, be careful with the color.  You don't want them to fade into the background.  Let the client pick an outfit that is comfortable, but which also is of a contrasting color to your background setting so it will "lift them off" the photographic paper.

Let your client pick a comfortable position and take a few "throw away" shots to allow them to get used to you taking their picture.   Once they are used to you, and the camera, you can start to make minor adjustments.  Shift the hands a bit, or perhaps a slight tilting of the head up or down.  Change the direction they are looking, whatever you think is necessary to get that person to come through your viewfinder.  Try moving yourself as well.  Climb a tree or a ladder, or kneel down and shoot from below your subject.  Straight on shots are usually boring and non professional looking.  Changing the camera angle can add flair and excitement to the final image.

Now that we have examined these ideas, you should be well on your way to learning outdoor portrait photography.   Just keep on clicking that shutter, having fun , and don't stop experimenting and marvel at the wonderful work that you will produce!

About the Author

Dave Grierson is an accomplished article writer and a constant student of the photographic art. To learn more about portrait photography and posing your subject, continue on by clicking: http://photographyposingsecretsdaveg3.blogspot.com/.

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