Portraits and People

Article: Stunning fashion photos on a shoestring budget.How to do anything photographic on a shoestring budget, Episode 1

Ahh the economy. It has driven many of us insane trying to figure out how to do more with less. Clients constantly approach us asking for miracles with shoestring budgets. A fine example is shooting anything fashion related. Editorial work these days pays almost nothing if you are lucky or nothing at all for the most part.

Article: Putting the Best Face Forward.Posing for Portraits, Part V

When a person has a portrait made, they often ask the photographer to make sure they “get their good side.” But do people really have "good" and "bad" sides? You betcha!

Article: Recreating 1920's Portrait Lighting.A digital riff on a classic look

In this lesson, commercial photographer Mark Rockwood walks us through his portrait-making process and discusses his approach to modern and classic lighting techniques.

Article: Holiday Parties: Grab the Good Times.Picture-taking tips for capturing celebrations

The end of the year is filled with celebrations – Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year’s, office parties, and more—and that means a busy time for shutterbugs. We all want to capture those fun-filled moments with our cameras. Just like the parties themselves, planning is the key to success.

Article: Portrait Photographer Sue Bryce—AdoramaTV.reDefine with Tamara Lackey

In this episode of reDefine, we caught up with the very talented Sue Bryce, Australia's Portrait Photographer of the Year.

Article: Posing a Large Wedding Group.Posing for portraits, Part IV

Posing groups of people is always a challenge. Photographing groups at a wedding is an even bigger challenge because not only can the groups become large but also there are usually time constraints.

Article: On-Location Posing Tips.Posing and Portraits, Part II

Portraits—no matter where you make them—are all about light, so start by searching for places where the light looks good.

Article: Posing, Costumes and Hair.Posing and Portraits, Part 2

Costumes add an element of fun to portrait sessions, and can put inexperienced subjects at ease in front of the camera. That plus knowing the right question to ask can result in a successful session.

Article: Exploring Lighting Options With Indoor Portraits.

Take your portraits to the next level by harnessing natural light, as described in this simple guide.

Article: Basic In-Studio Posing Tips.Posing and Portraits, Part 1

One of the most important elements in creating saleable portraits is knowing how to pose your subjects.

Article: Fashion Photographer Laretta Houston - AdoramaTV.How'd They Do That?

Adorama Photography TV presents "How'd They Do That?" featuring Laretta Houston.

Article: Ring Flash Effects with the OctoDome: extra small.A WebPhotoSchool lesson

How to create the ring flash look without a ring flash.

Article: Portrait of a Makeup Artist.A WebPhotoSchool Lesson

Noted editorial photographer Ian Spanier takes photos that tell a story. Whether he’s shooting images of celebrities, fitness models or doing a portrait, he crafts the shot so that we can learn something about the subject.

Article: Traditional Lighting Setups--Adorama TV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

Mark answers a viewer's question about broad and short light with regard to studio lighting.

Article: Concert Photography: Tips from the Pit.Rock your photography!

The most important aspect of a concert, besides the music, is photos of the band. Attendees seek photographs to relive the show, while those who couldn't go look forward to seeing what they missed. A great concert photographer captures the show from the pit, stage and backstage...if they’re lucky.

Article: Go Live.Are you a music lover? Turn your photographic passion into profit--shoot the piano player

If you are a fan of live music, capturing exciting and potentially profitable images of your favourite performers is well within the range of most photographers.

Article: To Pose or Not to Pose People Part II .Travel Photography

There are times when posing people offers distinct advantages.

Article: Adorama Photographs America: New York, New York.The street photography capital of the world

I've lived my entire life in and around New York City—especially Manhattan—so there are certain common “touristy” locations I take for granted, and tend to ignore: The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square at Night. Instead, I focus on the people, and do street photography.

Article: To Pose or Not to Pose People: Part I.Travel Photography Tips

Travel and photography are natural partners. Forget the postcards: We all want our own images of the world’s great sights. But often what gives our travel photos true personality are the people we include, whether they are our travel companions or the locals who cross our paths.

Article: Group Shots—AdoramaTV .Digital Photography 1 on 1

Adorama TV presents how to set up lighting for Group Shots.

Article: Advertising & Celebrity Portrait Photographer, John Keatley.How'd They Do That?

Adorama Photography TV presents "How'd They Do That" featuring self-described portrait stylist John Keatley.

Article: Portrait Lenses We've Fallen in Love With.Hitting the "like" button on a wide range of portrait options

We asked our Facebook and Twitter friends which lenses were their favorites for portrait photography. Here's what we learned.

Article: Soft Light in the Middle of the Day.A lesson produced by PhotoFlex and the Adorama Learning Center

Many photographers prefer to shoot outdoor portraits either at dawn or at dusk to take advantage of the "magic light" that occurs during those times. But what if your schedule (or your subject's schedule) doesn't permit you to shoot then? Can you still capture your subjects in soft, beautiful lighting conditions?

Article: Mobile Lighting for Outdoor Portraits.A lesson produced by Webphotoschool for Adorama

So you want to take dynamic portraits outdoors but you don't want it to be a huge production with a lot of lighting gear, assistants, etc. Not a problem.

Article: Shooting Beach Portraits at Dawn.A lesson produced by PhotoFlex and the Adorama Learning Center

When it comes to creating spectacular outdoor portraits, early morning sunlight alone is often not enough to generate the "magic" you envision. That's when you need a little help.

Article: Self Portrait Photography—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

In this episode Mark will show us just how easy it is to set up and take a self portrait.

Article: PhotoZAP 54: Baby Face.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The pose and even the drool on the chin all add to this wonderful moment."—Mark Lent

Article: PhotoZAP 52: Local Color.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"I'm not crazy about the way the background jewelry vendor's head interferes with the main subject's face."—Jack Howard

Article: Sidewalk serendipity.What's so great about street photography? Plenty!

You'll never get rich doing street photography. And unless you're Martin Parr, Joel Meyrowitz, or Jeff Mermelstein, you probably won't become famous, either. But you'll hone your skills as a photographer, and grow as a person.

Article: Picture-taking techniques - Outdoor portraits in the sun.What gear you need to get great outdoor pictures, and how to fight harsh outdoor sunlight...and win!

Whether you're traveling, enjoying a backyard barbecue, or recording your graduate's moment of glory, everyone ends up shooting outdoor portraits. And most are less than satisfied with the results. But a few simple picture-taking tips can soften and flatter those harshly-lit, squinty-eyed faces.

Article: How to master dog photography.Want to get better photos of your pet pooch? If only your pup could talk...

The poop on perfect pet pix from the point of view of an expert.

Article: Celebrity Photographer, Ab Sesay - AdoramaTV.How'd They Do That?

Adorama Photography TV presents "How'd They Do That?" featuring Ab Sesay. In this episode, Ab Sesay explains how he uses hard light in his portraits. He also talks about capturing unplanned moments behind the scenes.

Article: PhotoZAP 46: Street Portrait.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The photographer is asking for something that the subject doesn't really want to give up."—Joe Gioia

Article: 10 Tips For Taking Better Photographs of Your Young Child .A New York-based children's photographer shares her secrets

Whether you use a compact camera or pro rig, if you follow these easy tips you can consistently get amazing “keeper” shots of your infant, toddler, or young child.

Article: Multifaceted Reflectors Have Many Uses.Lighting accessories

Reflectors are available in many forms but my favorite is the circular, collapsible types that are easy to carry.

Article: Environmental Portraits: Jason Wallis — Adorama Photography TV.How'd They Do That?

In this episode Jason Wallis tells us how he shoots amazing environmental portraits. Jason also gives us some tips for traveling to foreign countries with a lightweight studio lighting pack.

Article: Photographing local people.How to avoid embarrassing situations while trying to take pictures in other countries

Do as I do now and not as I did then, and maybe a certain street flower lady in La Paz, Boliva won’t swat you upside the head with a bouquet of gladiolus.

Article: PhotoZAP 42: Hello, Newlyweds!.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"This is a good example of trying to make the photo 'say something', rather than letting it speak for itself."—Joe Gioia

Article: Depth of Field - AdoramaTV.Digital Photography One on One

AdoramaTV presents Digital Photography One on One with Mark Wallace. In this episode Mark talks about Depth of Field and how aperture, focal length and distance from subject impact your depth of field.

Article: Setting up simple studio lighting – Adorama TV.Behind The Scenes Video

In this episode, Mark explains a very simple lighting setup for shooting portraits.

Article: Single-light portraits.You don't need multiple flashes to create great portraits

While the strobist movement encourages the use of multiple wireless networks of flashes to blast away and create stunning portraits, a single flash may be all you can afford. Not to worry: There's a lot you can do with one light source.

Article: Retouching Portraits in Photoshop.Retouching Portraits in Photoshop

Even when you don't have control of lighting, you can still make flattering and natural portraits in Adobe Photoshop.

Article: How to build a portfolio.Put your best work forward

There is one truth in the world of portfolios: Every photographer, regardless of his or her experience level, has a unique opinion about what makes a great portfolio and what should be included.

Article: Shoot Better Environmental Portraits.Place your subject in a setting that tells part of their story

From finding the right location to using elements that say something related to the sitter, there are many ways to create successful environmental portraits.

Article: How to photograph a birthday party.Hint: Treat it like an active group portrait

If you want to rise above simple birthday party snapshots to show really great, professional-looking party pictures, here are some tips to try, and pitfalls to avoid.

Article: How to photograph a newborn baby.Yes, you can get great pictures at the hospital

Expecting a baby? With the right preparation, you can take home not just a bundle of joy, but a bundle of joyous photos of your newborn.

Article: PhotoZAP 39: White-Out.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“High key effects can be cool and fun, but I'm not really sure if it works for this image.” —Jack Howard

Article: What color is your seamless background?.It's all about hue

If you’re just getting started in portrait photography—or even if you’re a seasoned pro—seamless, solid-colored paper backgrounds on rolls are a budget-friendly way to isolate and emphasize your subjects. Here's some useful background information.

Article: PhotoZAP 29: Dude!.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“This image is simultaneously a very charming kid photo and disturbingly incongruous.”—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 28: Simply Red.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The photographer has captured his young daughter in a natural, unposed, and thoroughly unselfconscious way.”—Monica Cipnic

Article: PhotoZAP 26: Welcome to my world.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“While the amazing clutter in the woman’s apartment is an essential part of this picture, I think the photographer could have organized it better.”—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 25: On The Ball.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“This very symmetrical image almost succeeds. It is thoughtfully composed and exposed, with wonderful use of background. But little details bother me.”—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 17: On a Pedestal.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The photographer was so focused on nailing the white balance that he forgot about framing the shot tightly and cleanly.”—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 16: The Shadow Of Your Smile.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The lighting draws my attention right to her nose.”—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 10: Flower Power.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The vibrant blooms of the azaleas fill most of the picture, especially in the foreground, and overwhelm her face.”—Monica Cipnic

Article: Jumpin' Portraits!.Get your subjects' feet off the ground

Want to add energy and something different to your portraits? Don't just let your subjects sit there--get them to jump! (Bonus: this is a great way to get restless children to channel their energy into great airborne poses.)

Article: Should grandma's face be as smooth as a baby's?.Cure Photoshop addiction!

Today, we wrestle with the question: Is it OK to retouch wrinkles or should you leave them alone? Imagine making Grandma look like a Hollywood starlet. Don't you think there's something wrong with that?

Article: Your Turn.Our Favorite Reader-Submitted Photos (So Far)

I love looking at photos shot by readers who’ve read our tips and how-to articles and put them into practice. A steady stream of images has been coming into my e-mail in-box recently—mostly baseball shots, along with some portraits and many macro photos mixed in for good measure. It’s time to share the best of ‘em.

Article: Rainy day indoor picture-taking ideas.Three photography projects you can do indoors while it's raining

The price of gas is high, so you’re spending vacation at home. And now, it’s raining. Could it get any worse? Or...could it get any better?

Article: First food and nap, then photos.How to avoid grouchy little subjects

A contented baby will smile, laugh and play. A hungry and/or tired baby will cry, squirm, and generally won’t be very cooperative or photogenic.

Article: How to dress for a family photo.Matching colors help unify the image

If you’re going out for a family photo, doing it yourself, or are photographing other families, there’s one visual element that will tie the photo together in a nice, neat bow: clothing.

Article: Baby mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Kids are fantastic photographic subjects. But babies and toddlers can be challenging to photograph for many, many reasons.

Article: How to photograph a silhouette at the window.A way to simplify a composition

Silhouettes are a great way to simplify a photo: They reduce an image to dramatic areas of light and dark, lines, and not much color. One of the best places to shoot a silhouette is against a window.There are several ways to expose a silhouette; here are two:

Article: Stack the Composition.Add layers of depth to your photos

"Stacking the Composition" is a technique, often used by photojournalists and by wedding photographers who take a photojournalistic approach to their subject, in which one or more secondary subjects are placed strategically within the photograph, usually at a different plane.

Article: Reflection-Free Eyeglasses.A clear view express way

If the person you're photographing wears eyeglasses, you've got a problem: How do you keep reflections out of them?

Article: Shy about photographing strangers? Get historical.From renaissance fairs to pre-colonial villages, historical reenactments are target-rich environments

"Who might you be?" I asked the gent in the ruffled shirt and green jacket. "Why, I'm Thomas Payne. Would you like to sign the Declaration of Independence?"

Article: Picture-taking techniques: Outdoor portraits, Part II.Why the best outdoor portraits are made in the shade

In this second installment of a two-part series on outdoor portrait photography, we search for the best outdoor light, and found it in the shadows.

Article: Does Face Detection Technology Really Work?.Let's find out!

Can this feature actually improve your people pictures? Here's the surprising answer!

Article: Make photographing your family a top priority.Thanks For The Memories

Dedicated to my father, Seymour Resnick, of blessed memory, January 15, 1920-January 14, 2007.

Article: Career Jumpstart: Getting started in wedding photography.Thinking of a career in wedding photography? It ain't easy! Here are some things to keep in mind

Over the years, the wedding business has really boomed. People are spending more and more time and money to create their dream weddings. Part of that dream often includes fabulous photographs for the couple and their family to commemorate this monumental occasion.

Article: Take a risk.How I started dragging the shutter--while moving my camera--at weddings

Caution: Before you attempt the technique described in this article at a real, live wedding, make sure you've shot all the standard wedding pictures--or that somebody else has that covered. It's important to make sure you've taken the pictures that are expected of you before you do the unexpected.

Article: The Portrait Photographer's Notebook: The Hair Light.Add pop to your portraits, and don't forget the barn doors, snoots, and grids.

One of the best ways to add sparkle to your portraits is by using a hair light.

Article: Portraits Without a Studio.It's amazing what you can do with 72 square feet of shooting space

Much of my portrait and fashion photography is done on location, but living in Colorado sometimes the models (and the photographer too) just aren’t in the mood for cold weather and snow. That’s when a studio comes in handy.

Article: The Portrait Photographer's Notebook.The eyes have it

It is said that a peoples’ eyes are the windows to their soul. I believe this is true, and because eyes are the most expressive facial feature, they deserve as much prominence as you can give them.

Article: The Portrait Photographer's Notebook.Reining in a Roman nose! Or how to minimize a prominent proboscis

There’s an old photographer’s joke about the bride who had a Roman nose.

Article: In praise of flash brackets.It's the wedding photographer's best friend!

No matter how you look at it, wedding photographers are dependent on electronic flash.

Article: The Wedding Photographer's Notebook: Background Flash Units.Want to banish the coal-miner’s-helmet-light look? Add background flash!

While a flash on your camera is the easiest, most compact way to insure getting sharp, properly exposed, photographs when shooting moving subjects in dark rooms (sounds like a wedding!), it is also true that the quality of the lighting this type of setup creates leaves much to be desired.

Article: The Wedding Photographer's Notebook Duets.Don't create one photograph when two is what you need

The multiple exposure approach

Article: The Wedding Photographer's Notebook.Variety is the Spice of Life...and Wedding Albums!

There was a time when wedding photographers shot two kinds of bridal portraits: full length and bust length. The reasons for this were technical, physical, and economic. The resulting photos are often beautiful, but after seeing a bunch of them, another descriptive word might also come to mind…boring!