Monday, October 17, 2011

Portrait Photography: Basic Info

By Cherry Murray


A portraiture, simply known as a portrait, is a photo that shows a person or small group's facial expression while they are in a still position. The person or group's personalities, moods and likeness come through. Aside from the face, portrait photography can also show the whole body & the background of the subject. When shooting a portrait photo the person or group is usually looking straight at the camera.

Non-professional models are used for portrait photography, unlike other styles of photography. Graduations, special events and weddings are types of occasions where portrait photography is used, and later displayed in private homes. Many are done on studio with several settings to choose from.

A Bit of History

Ever since the invention of the camera people have been using portrait photography. It was, & is more inexpensive way then having your portrait painted and it is a more available method. People would sit against a background & were lit with natural light from a window. With technology's innovations photographers have the power to take pictures with less exposure time giving them more freedom to move around and create new styles of portrait photography.

Styles

Portrait pictures can be done in a studio where the photographer can adjust the light when capturing portraits. They can change the direction and the intensity. Background lights, kicker lights, fill lights and the main lights are a few of the various lighting terms.

The main light is the primary light source. The main light is generally positioned above or below the subject and at a 45 degree angle.The main light can create shadows so the fill light helps to eliminate them. The kicker light is the light that brightens up the hair of a subject. This will help to add depth & to show the separation from the subject & the background. A Background light brightens the background & can add effects to the backdrops.




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