The photo tip for today is about using “short lighting” and “broad lighting” patterns in your portrait photography. Flat lighting will ruin your portrait photography! Caution: An on-camera flash aimed at the subject will produce flat lighting. Bounce the flash off the walls, ceilings, off a reflector or something else. Never aim it directly at your […]
Today’s photo tip is about pet portraits and how to get the animal’s attention. Pet portraits can be some of the most fun photography you do. As an added bonus, it’s a great photography training ground. “Never Work With Kids or Animals!” Or so says the old show business expression… Why? Because they steal the […]
Use the “halo light” pattern in your photo lighting. Here is a photo tip I’ve recently read that I disagree with: “When photographing people, always make sure to avoid direct sunlight in the background of the photo. This will make odd shadows and add an undesirable element to the picture. Position the people so the […]
In a previous article, I discussed shooting with the light at the subject’s back, creating a “halo” lighting pattern. Aside from being a particularly stunning light pattern, it automatically eliminates one of the biggest problems we have as photographers: squinting and closed eyes. With the light coming from the rear, the face is in shadow, […]
Today I have a photo tip that actually breaks the rules. I’m going to talk about including hats in portrait photography. Hats can say a lot about a person’s personality and are a good prop to use – if they actually DO fit the subject’s personality. But, be careful of the lighting. You don’t want […]
Here is a secret weapon to add to your camera bag. It’s another simple tip that can take your nature photos to a whole new level! Flower photography is what got a lot of us interested in photography in the first place. Even if flower photography wasn’t part of you getting bitten by the photo […]
Today’s photo tip is to help you in shooting better pet photos. Pet portraits can be the most fun you’ve ever had with your camera, you’ll meet a bunch of really nice people and it’s one of the easiest ways I know to go “pro” if that is a goal of yours. This tip concerns […]
We see a stunning portrait—maybe hanging on a wall somewhere—and we think, “Wow! My work doesn’t look like THAT!” Then we run out and spend thousands of dollars buying the latest equipment, books on photography lighting techniques, and so on. But it STILL doesn’t work! Here’s why… The best pros and amateurs alike all understand […]
Getting the right photo exposure can be a bit tricky at times. Expose for the highlights and lose the dark areas, expose for the dark areas and blow out the highlights… it’s a never ending battle. Today’s photo tip answers a question about how to get the best photo exposure for different skin tones. I […]
In the past few portrait photography photo tips articles, we’ve been discussing how to light a portrait. So far, we’ve covered how and when to use four different lights. The basic three light set and the first specialty light, the “hair light”. Today’s portrait photography photo tip will end our discussion of lighting with the […]
No, my photos are the best, close this forever
