If you are a guy nearing your college graduation day, you will be looking to capture some amazing images of this day which will happen only once in your lifetime. So it is essential to ensure that you get the best pictures to record your memories. In this guide I will describe and show the best college graduation picture ideas Continue Reading
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Posts Tagged ‘Ideas’
College Graduation Picture Ideas for Guys: What Works
09
Oct
13 Child Photography Ideas to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing
19
Aug
The post 13 Child Photography Ideas to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.
Children are some of the most rewarding subjects you’ll ever photograph. They bring a sense of fun, excitement, and wide-eyed wonder to a photo session – but photographing children can also feel overwhelming and even a bit chaotic, especially if you’ve never done this type of work for clients before.
These 13 child photography ideas will give you lots to think about before your next session, and can hopefully serve as a starting point for you to think about your own style and techniques, too.
Let’s dive right in.
1. Ask the child to bring a prop
Doing child photo sessions can be difficult, but imagine what it’s like for the kids. They’re in a strange location with parents fussing over their clothes, while other people are making faces and telling them to smile. It’s positively overwhelming!
One thing you can do to give the children a sense of calm and peace? Encourage them to bring a prop. Let their parents know beforehand, so they can help the child pick out something special and meaningful.
Stuffed animals, a favorite toy, or even just a photo or some artwork from home can go a long way toward making a photo session fun. These help children feel at ease, and while you can of course bring your own props, they just don’t have the same sentimental value as a prop that means a lot to the child. Years down the line, these props will help add a sense of context to the photos you took, plus parents will enjoy looking back at their children with their favorite toys or dolls long after the actual props have been relegated to a box in the attic.
2. Let kids be kids
Kids see the world differently than adults. They find joy in little things, wear emotions on their sleeves, and march to the beat of their own drums. I have seen many photographers throw up their hands in frustration when working with children because the kids won’t listen to directions. I can certainly relate, especially since I have children of my own! It’s enough to make you want to give up on family photography and work with, say, inanimate objects.
But in these situations, the best advice I have is to just embrace the randomness that kids bring to a photo shoot. Let them be who they are, even if it’s a little goofy, eccentric, or out of the ordinary. Be ready to capture some photos with your camera on its high-speed continuous mode, and don’t be afraid to get your hands or clothes dirty in the process. (I’ve long since learned to wear comfortable pants and sandals to family photo sessions, and to put them in the laundry as soon as I get home!)
The best-laid plans of mice, men, and photographers often go awry, but these fun moments are when you can get some of the most memorable pictures from a photo session.
3. Show their personalities
Every kid is unique, and they express themselves in many different ways. One thing you can do to make your photos stand out is to encourage the kids to let their sense of individuality shine through. While the results might not be your own personal favorites, parents love images that capture a sense of who their kids really are.
So whether the child is making a silly face, doing an odd pose, or even picking their nose, moments that capture genuine personality often end up making for the most memorable photos.
By the way, personality-focused photos are a great way to build rapport with children. Kids often come to a photo shoot with a healthy dose of trepidation and skepticism, especially if they have been bossed around by other photographers at previous picture sessions. But if you let them show their personalities, they will usually loosen up and trust you a bit more, which helps when it comes time for more formal pictures, such as group shots or headshots.
4. Photograph the shared special moments
Authenticity is a special thing. As photographers, we often aim for specific results, and while the resulting shots might be great on a technical level, these formal images can be bereft of substance and emotion. I always try to find a way of capturing special moments, especially between parents and kids, even if the resulting images don’t follow the traditional rules of photography.
Things like holding hands, a warm embrace, a special look, or a shared laugh help peel back the shiny veneer of perfection we often strive for, and instead let us capture something real. You can’t fake these moments; you have to be prepared with your camera so you can capture them if and when they happen.
In the photo above, I captured a grandmother holding her new baby granddaughter, and even though the child is sleeping and most of the adult’s face is not visible, the image tells a story that goes well beyond “Look over here and smile.” In the end, this was one of my clients’ favorite images from the entire session.
5. Go for a walk
Do you shoot photos on location? Heading out for a walk is a great way to embrace your surroundings while also capturing some really interesting shots that parents and kids will appreciate for years to come. Have your clients take a short walk and document the excursion with your camera. Take shots from the front, from behind, and even from above (if you can find a high vantage point to shoot from).
One of my favorite types of walking shots involves parents holding hands with their kids. This conveys a sense of care and tenderness while also ensuring your subjects are all on the same focal plane. A zoom lens isn’t required, but it certainly is useful, as you’ll spend less time chasing after people and more time taking pictures. Make sure your camera is on its high-speed continuous shooting mode, since you might need 20 or 30 shots to get one that you really like.
And if the children aren’t old enough to walk on their own, just ask the parents to carry them (or give them a ride on their shoulders) for some equally memorable images.
6. Run for it!
This is a tried-and-true technique for getting some outstanding images, and it’s a great way to impress your clients with photos they certainly can’t capture on their own.
Use a zoom lens (preferably a 70-200mm f/2.8 or f/4) and a high-speed continuous shooting mode. I also recommend Auto ISO with a minimum shutter speed of 1/500s. Back-button focus helps, but most modern cameras have such good autofocus that you can usually just rely on that.
Then stand far back from the kids and tell them to run toward you on the count of one…two…three…GO!
Start with your lens zoomed in as far as it will go, then slowly decrease the focal length as the kids run toward you. You only have 5 to 10 seconds to shoot before the children rush past, but that’s usually enough for some great shots. Your number one goal here is to get as many pictures as possible and sort them out later.
Most of your shots won’t be too noteworthy, but some will be amazing and one or two will likely end up printed, framed, and hung on a wall. I recommend briefly reviewing your photos as the kids are catching their breath, and if you’re not certain that you got some good shots, just tell the kids to repeat the exercise.
7. Let the kids play around
This one isn’t always easy to pull off, but if you can catch kids while they are playing, laughing, or joking around, it’s like striking photographic gold. Some photographers choose locations that are more conducive to this type of freeform play, but unless you have your own private playground, it’s not always the simplest thing to do.
Instead, I try to laugh and joke with the kids by telling them a funny story or asking them to do something silly, which often leads them down their own creative rabbit hole.
For the photo above, I told the boy to whisper a joke in his sister’s ear, which made both of them giggle. Then I stepped back and started taking pictures while she told her brother a joke. They went back and forth like that for a while, taking my initial idea and running with it way beyond what I expected.
The kids had a great time just messing around, and I was able to get some photos that their parents absolutely loved.
8. Take photos from above
Want to take unique shots that will make your clients call you for repeat photo sessions? Bring a ladder along with your camera gear.
Then stand up high – make sure to be safe! – and get some shots of the kids from above. These can be slice-of-life images with the children playing or reading, but I also like to have them look up at me and smile while I take their picture.
One nice thing about overhead photos is that you don’t need any fancy camera gear (such as wide-aperture lenses). Background blur isn’t an issue since the kids are so close to the ground or floor, and the kids usually aren’t moving around too much, either.
This means you can get outstanding images with a basic camera and kit lens. The uniqueness of these shots comes from the camera angle, which is something a lot of people don’t really think about. It’ll make the resulting shots memorable and unique, which your clients will greatly appreciate.
9. Get a group hug!
The key to a good group-hug photo is timing. It’s not difficult to have all the kids get together – just tell them to pile on or around the largest child, then start taking photos! The tricky part is knowing when to do it.
If you shoot a group-hug picture early in a photo session, you won’t get the kind of genuine emotions you might otherwise capture. If you get the group hug picture too late, the kids and their parents will be tired and may not be in the mood. However, if you can snag a group hug at just the right time, the results are amazing.
That’s why I like to do group hugs about halfway through a photo session. It’s nice to get to know the families first, do some individual shots, and get photos of the kids with their parents. Then, after about 15 or 20 minutes, everyone is more comfortable – and your clients, especially the younger ones, start to lose a bit of steam. That’s a great time to get some shots of all the kids together!
Doing a group hug injects some much-needed energy into a photo session, helps the kids and their parents relax for a bit, and sets the stage for a successful second half.
10. Read a book
Every kid has a favorite book. Whether it’s a picture book, a novel, or even a coloring book, these treasures work wonders for your photography. It’s easy to get kids to smile and laugh when you ask them to read their favorite story, and you’ll get the opportunity to capture photos of them lost in their imagination as they turn the pages.
One of the biggest benefits of photographing children with books comes years later and is not readily apparent during the photo session. You see, when parents look at the photos after time has passed, seeing their kids reading their favorite books always brings back a rush of emotions.
11. Bring a four-legged friend
There’s one surefire way to add a lot of excitement and emotion to a children’s photo shoot: let them bring a pet. When you involve a cat, dog, lizard, or other animal friend in a photo session, you will get plenty of big smiles, genuine emotions, and great shots.
Pets put children at ease and give them something to focus on besides you and their parents, plus these pictures often make for great memories years down the road. However, photographing with pets carries some important risks, so you need to make sure you are prepared.
Pets, even friendly ones, can get nervous and start acting up during a photo session. I have never been bitten by a dog or other animal while shooting, but I have had them nip at me and my camera gear.
Animals can also be moody and uncooperative, which stresses out the parents – and even the children – at times. Generally, what I recommend is involving pets in a small portion of a photo session but not the whole thing.
Have a family member or trusted friend bring the pet in for a few minutes. Shoot some pictures, but then have them take the pet back home. That way, you get the benefit of shooting photos with pets without any of the hassles, and you and your clients can be happy with the results.
12. Get a classic headshot
There’s a temptation among photographers to try always try something new, break the mold, and chart their own course through the uncertain waters of child photography. And while that’s often a good thing, there is a time for everything under the sun, and this certainly applies to photography.
In other words: when you’re taking photos of children, it’s great to try new, creative, and innovative ideas – but it’s also good to include some of the staples of the genre, such as the classic headshot.
These photos aren’t complicated, but they are often overlooked by new photographers who are eager to try new things. In truth, you can’t go wrong with a traditional headshot, and many of your clients will expect these types of images along with the other, more creative photos you are able to capture.
To get good headshots, use a wide aperture between f/2.8 and f/1.8, make sure your subjects are evenly lit, ask them to look at you and smile, and start pressing the shutter button. If your subject’s attention keeps wandering, have a parent or sibling stand directly behind you (and if your camera has it, use eye-detect autofocus).
The resulting pictures won’t win awards for creativity, but they will look great when printed, framed, and hung on the wall (which is where many of your clients will end up putting them!).
13. Use an initialed prop
Remember how I suggested you use a child’s prop? For a fun twist on this idea, ask your clients to bring something with the first letter of their child’s name on it. The object doesn’t have to be fancy, and you might even consider getting your own array of objects as a backup, just in case your client doesn’t have anything that works. The point is to add a bit of personal flair to your child photos – to give them a little extra pizzazz that they might otherwise lack.
This approach works best with very young children, generally no more than 18 months old. If you go much beyond that, it starts to look a bit cheesy and forced, though it can still work with the right prop (say, a t-shirt or jersey that prominently displays a first initial).
My favorite technique is to use simple wooden alphabet blocks. You don’t need to spell out the child’s entire name; just adding their first initial goes a long way toward making a standout photo. It also sends a message to the parents that you care enough to go the extra mile, and this helps lead to repeat business and referrals.
Child photography ideas: final words
My most important rule when taking pictures of children is to make sure they have fun. If the kids are angry, bored, or irritated, it will certainly come through in the photos – and the same goes for you. (After all, a surly photographer is not going to get great shots!)
These 13 child photography ideas should give you plenty to think about as you approach your next session, but at the end of the day, make sure the experience is enjoyable. Relax, take a breath, lighten up, and have a good time. A positive attitude is one of the best things you can bring to any photo event, especially when children are involved.
What about you? What are some of your favorite child photography tips and tricks? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
The post 13 Child Photography Ideas to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.
12 Creative Photography Project Ideas to Get You Motivated
03
Aug
The post 12 Creative Photography Project Ideas to Get You Motivated appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.
Looking for some fun, creative photography project ideas to get you inspired and excited about taking photos?
It’s always good to be involved in a photography project, and in this article, I’m going to share 12 of my favorite project ideas, including 52-week projects, 365-day projects, and more.
So if you’re ready to find the right project for your needs, then let’s get started!
Before you start your creative photography project
As with anything in life, once you have a project idea, it’s important to think it over and make a clear plan of action. This is a big step toward being successful. So if you have a project in mind, before you actually start snapping photos, consider the following points:
- Give yourself time. Keep in mind the amount of free time you have. Is it realistic for you to complete the project? There are some projects that take a real time commitment; make sure you have a good plan in place if this is the type of project you decide to tackle. And ask yourself: Are there any important events over the next few weeks, months, or year, such as a wedding or a house move, that might make it difficult to finish?
- Plan out all the details. If your project is long term, perhaps lasting a whole year, then make a plan for how you’ll achieve it. A 365 project is especially demanding, as you need to take a photograph every day. If you can, plan out every day of the project – and make your plan prior to getting started.
- Allow for the unexpected. There will be times when you get sick, come home late, or your drive or motivation isn’t quite there. The plan you make for your project should include some easy days. Think of it as cooking ahead and having some frozen food in the fridge ready to reheat. In photography, there are always a number of photos that are very easy to take but still look striking. Keep some easier photos held back for times that you need a break.
12 creative photography projects to energize your work
As a year is 12 months long, I’ve included 12 project ideas (though some of them will take all year, whereas others might only take a weekend). Pick your favorite, or – if you’re ambitious! – choose more than one!
1. The 52-week project
This is a year-long project where you take one photograph per week. Tackling such a lengthy project is demanding, but if you can plan out some (or all) of your shots before the project starts, you’ll be a lot more successful.
Note that you can always customize the project to keep things more interesting and/or cohesive:
- You can have a monthly theme. This might be a month of portraits, a month of landscapes, a month of spring, and so on.
- You can have a weekly theme. The first week can be shadows, followed by camera rotation, with digital blending after that, etc.
If you want to do regular photography but you’re not quite ready for a daily project, the 52-week project is a great one to pick.
2. The 365-day project
This is an intimidating project to take on, which is why many people go for the 52-week version listed above. However, like a relationship that requires a major time commitment, the reward for this project is often worth it.
Now, the original 365 project required daily self-portraits, which made it even tougher to complete. But a lot of people simply look to take one good photograph per day, be it a landscape, portrait, or macro shot. If you’re not sure how to get started, here are a few ideas:
- The self-portrait 365 project. Take a selfie every day for a year.
- What’s on your plate? Photograph your meal every day.
- Life at sea. Show the different aspects of sea life. This is a diverse project that can include seascapes, macro photos, fishermen, and underwater photography (if you have the gear).
3. Follow one consistent theme
Want to really focus your mind (and hone a specific set of photography skills)? Choose a theme, and only take photos aligned with that theme.
This creative photography project can easily work as a 365-day or 52-week project. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Concentrate on a single technique. Take photos with a crystal ball, using an infrared camera, etc.
- Have a topic for inspiration. Look at everyday objects and occurrences, then pick a topic that interests you. You might photograph only Chinese food, for example. Or you could do a clothes-related project – you could photograph only denim, or if you’re in Korea, you could photograph hanbok.
- Photograph at the same time every day. Pick a time of the day and photograph only at this time. For instance, you might shoot every day at 6 PM, which will offer plenty of interesting light (plus, it will change throughout the year).
4. Limit yourself to 24 photos
Photographers who photograph film know all about restraint – they will attest to the importance of really considering every photograph. So why not put yourself in their shoes and limit yourself to a certain number of shots per outing, day, or week?
The specific limit is a personal choice, but make sure the number isn’t too large (you want the project to involve some actual work, after all!). Personally, I like the idea of 24 shots – this hearkens back to the days of film – though you can also do 36, 20, or even 10.
To really emulate the feeling of shooting film, try only capturing 24 photographs for one week (no deleting)! With this project, every time you hit the shutter, you need to know you’re photographing from the best possible angle and with the best composition. Learning to successfully shoot with restraint will improve your work in leaps and bounds.
5. Use the title of a song or album
Delving into other mediums can be a great way to come up with a cool creative photography project. A lot of people take a photo, then make a title to go with it – but a better approach for creativity is to know the title of your photograph before you hit the shutter button.
In other words: You determine your photography concept in advance based on your shot title. Then you problem-solve to get the result you need.
You can get your titles anywhere, but I recommend looking to your favorite music album or song. Here are a few additional ideas:
- The project could use an artist’s album titles
- You could choose song titles, then turn them into photo titles
- You can use the lyrics in a song to inspire photos
6. Use only one (prime) lens
Most photographers own quite a few lenses, not to mention zooms with huge focal length ranges. And while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you may find yourself becoming lazy over time – using your zoom lenses, staying in the exact same place, not making a significant effort to really work a scene.
That’s where this photography project idea comes in handy. Simply shoot with a single lens for a day, a week, or a month, and you’ll quickly appreciate the value of careful composition, zooming with your feet, and more.
A really good lens to get started with is the nifty 50 (i.e., a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4). The fixed focal length will force you to consider composition more carefully, and you’ll get a perspective similar to the human eye.
Of course, you have plenty of options, and any lens you could choose will have its merits. If you want to get really creative, try using a fisheye, tilt-shift, or macro lens.
7. Only use a smartphone
Who says your creative photography project should be high-tech? There’s a lot to be said for stripping your photography gear down to the basics, and your smartphone is perfect for this.
There are plenty of camera apps that can give your smartphone DSLR-like functionality (and you can buy clip-on lenses if you’re looking for added flexibility).
That said, the purest smartphone project will only use your phone’s basic camera app. So don’t be afraid to pack away your fancy cameras and use your smartphone’s native camera app for a week. Focus on what you can do with composition, light, and a perfectly timed moment of capture.
8. Find a story
No matter where you live, you can find a story to tell, though it will likely differ depending on whether you’re in a city, the country, a hot climate, or a cold one. Is your local area famous for any type of food? Are there any famous landmarks such as castles or temples nearby? How about an annual festival?
Once you’ve settled on your story, approach it in the way you’d photograph on assignment for a magazine. Try to tell the entire story. Use a variety of techniques and shoot a variety of subjects.
At the end of the project, you should spend some time picking a final set of photos – not necessarily the best individual shots, but the images that best tell a story. If you get a good result, you might even consider pitching it to a magazine!
9. Learn a totally new technique
Once you know how to use your camera, it’s easy to get complacent – to shoot with the exact same techniques, the same settings, the same rhythm. So why not try focusing your project on a new technique?
Learning a new technique can be both exciting and intimidating. It may also require a significant time commitment. There are not many creative photography projects more energizing than learning something brand new, though. Here are some fun techniques to consider:
- Digital blending. This technique will improve both your landscape photography and your Photoshop skills. There are aspects of blending that are tough to master, but it will absolutely be worth it.
- Crystal balls. Using a glass ball as a type of external lens is a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to create some unusual photos.
- Light painting. This is a hot topic in photography. Will you learn to take zoom bursts? How about making light orbs? Will you use a Pixelstick?
- Drone photography. This is another photographic genre that’s becoming increasingly popular. Invest in a drone, shoot with it regularly, and you’ll be on the cutting edge of photography.
- Hyperlapse. Take a series of photos and turn them into a video. Some of the most creative photography projects out there use this technique!
- Off-camera flash. Many photographers struggle to master flash; take the time to learn it, and you’ll go a long way.
10. Have a potluck photography party
Everyone’s been to a potluck party – they’re the ones where everyone brings along their own food. And the collaborative nature of potluck parties makes them perfect for getting together with other photographers as part of a creative photography project.
How do you organize a potluck photography party? Each person should bring along the following:
- A camera body and one camera lens
- One prop or piece of camera equipment
While everyone will use their own camera to take photos, the idea is that the prop or piece of equipment can be shared – so you might end up with one tripod, or one umbrella, for the entire group. And at every event, the available equipment will be different, offering different image opportunities.
You can come up with a theme for the potluck that everyone must follow, or you can have a theme for your own shots. This one’s a very open-ended project idea, so have fun with it!
11. Follow an A-Z photography list
This type of project can be extremely fun. All you do is photograph the alphabet!
You might start by writing out a list of topics you want to photograph (one for each letter). Or you can take a more spontaneous approach and photograph each letter as you encounter it.
This is a fun game that can be used for group photowalks, or you can play it on your own – when traveling, or simply when out with your camera.
12. A day in the life
A day in the life is a good, short project to work on – because it only lasts one day! Simply find someone whose life you want to photograph and ask them if you can tag along for a day.
Of course, you don’t have to stop there. You can always do a series covering different people. And the project doesn’t have to be about people; life is everywhere, so you could follow your pet or even photograph a natural area.
That said, the best projects do tend to be about people and their lives (a day in the life that looks at different people’s professions is a great choice).
Get started with your creative photography project!
Well, there you have it:
12 photography project ideas to get you motivated! Hopefully, you found at least one or two of these ideas compelling – so pick your favorite, make a plan, and then dive in!
Now over to you:
Have you tried a photography project before? Do you have any favorite projects you’d like to share? Also, which project from this list do you plan to do? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post 12 Creative Photography Project Ideas to Get You Motivated appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.
14 Senior Picture Ideas to Get You Inspired
09
Jul
The post 14 Senior Picture Ideas to Get You Inspired appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.
High school senior portraits are some of the most exciting and rewarding projects for any photographer. Stress levels are low (compared to wedding photography, anyway!), and these young seniors are happy, excited, and looking forward to the future.
You are photographing your subject at a unique point in their lives, and even after doing this for years, it’s still one of my favorite types of photography. If you have never done a high school senior photo session, or you’re a seasoned photographer seeking some inspiration, here are 14 senior picture ideas to jumpstart your creativity and give you some new directions to try.
1. Get the classic headshot
Creativity is always good, but I recommend making sure your bases are covered before really cutting loose.
So start your session with some classic headshots. This has several key benefits; first, it puts your client at ease and helps show them you are a serious professional who knows what you’re doing. Additionally, headshots can help break the ice and serve as the jumping-off point for some more fun ideas later on.
Plus, a headshot gives the senior a nice photo to use in the yearbook or as a social media profile picture. Headshots won’t win awards for originality, but they serve a valuable purpose, and no high school senior photo session is complete without a few!
2. Use backlighting to spice up your portraits
In a studio setting, it’s generally a good idea to position the primary light source, also known as the key light, behind you so that it’s illuminating the face of your subject. However, it’s also nice to have another light source behind your subject to provide a bit of backlighting and create a glowing effect around their head.
When you’re out in nature, you can accomplish this by shooting late in the day and positioning your subject so the sun is behind them. This creates a fun, dynamic look that can really elevate your portraits – and it’s an effect that can’t be easily faked with a social media filter.
3. Involve the senior’s four-legged friends
When I’m doing portrait photography, I like to be in control of the situation, so including pets always adds a bit of stress that I don’t really appreciate. However, high school senior pictures aren’t about me – they’re about the clients! And if you can learn to loosen up a bit and let these young students bring their pets along for the shoot, you’ll get some great results.
After all, pets put people at ease, and they also add a fun element of serendipity to the situation. You won’t always get award-winning shots, especially if the pets aren’t cooperating, but you will get pictures your clients will love. Just make sure someone else is with you, such as the senior’s parent or friend, to help corral the animals and then take them home after their part in the photoshoot is over.
4. There’s no place like home
I almost always do high school senior pictures out on location, but you can also get great results in the senior’s backyard. In fact, you’ll often find some interesting options at their home for sitting, posing, or family member involvement that just don’t materialize at parks or on bridges.
I don’t recommend doing all the pictures at the senior’s home, but you might be surprised at the results you can get if you keep your eyes open. Also, starting the photoshoot at the student’s house helps build a sense of trust and can lead to some great conversations; this can be helpful down the line if you need things to talk about while shooting elsewhere.
5. Bring on the band
Many high schoolers play instruments, which can easily be incorporated into a senior photo session. Some of my clients have told me that these shots ended up as their favorites, and I often feel the same.
Therefore, when you sit down with seniors to discuss the session and explain your process, let them know that they are welcome to bring their guitar, clarinet, trumpet, or even a drum set! It might add an unexpected challenge to the session, but the results are worth it, and it’s a great way to build a positive reputation among your clients and their friends.
6. Get formal with a cap and gown
Much like headshots, cap-and-gown photos won’t win awards for creativity, but they’re classic images your clients will appreciate years down the line.
So ask your client to bring graduation regalia to the photo session and get a variety of shots with them all dressed up. The pictures will look great on invitations and announcements, and parents love to buy prints and hang them on the wall.
7. Show some sibling love
Do your high school senior clients have brothers or sisters? If so, ask them to take part in the photoshoot! You probably won’t want them for the whole session, but bring them in at the beginning or the end to add variety.
Get some shots of your subject and their sibling hugging, joking, or just talking; this can add a great deal of levity to what is sometimes a stressful situation, and you might also capture some candids that everyone really likes.
Plus, these sibling shots are always a favorite among parents, which will lead to more business for you down the line when the other children need photos as they grow up.
8. Invite their parents
Lots of photographers focus solely on the high school seniors, but if you’re looking for an added element to make memorable pictures, then ask the parents to pose for a few shots, too!
You don’t have to go overboard; just grab a few shots at the beginning or end of the shoot, and parents will love it. After all, the adults in these students’ lives always appreciate the chance to be involved. In a few short months, their babies will be off to college, and these photos will create some powerful memories that will be cherished for years.
Group photos also help build a sense of trust between you and the parents and send the message that you know what you are doing and are serious about your craft. That leads to repeat business and can help generate some powerful word-of-mouth advertising, too.
9. Take a stroll for great shots
If you’ve run out of ideas and aren’t sure what to do with your high school seniors, here’s some simple advice: just have them take a walk!
Find a spot with good lighting – like an alley or covered pedestrian path – and have your subject walk toward you while you capture a series of photos. This technique works great with a telephoto zoom; start by zooming in all the way and then slowly zoom out as your subject closes the gap (you can slowly step backward if you need to).
You’ll end up with a lot of pictures to wade through, but even if you only keep two percent of the walking-style shots, they’ll likely be extremely memorable.
10. Showcase the senior’s talents
Many high school seniors have special talents and skills they like to share with others, and these are great to keep in mind for photo sessions.
Invite your client to bring their skateboard, scooter, or unicycle to the shoot. Get some photos of them hitting a golf ball, swinging a tennis racket, or shooting a basketball.
Even if the talent doesn’t involve a lot of physical movement – e.g., writing computer code – you can still find creative and interesting ways to showcase it, and it’ll give the senior some photos they’ll cherish years down the line.
11. Explore the downtown
You might be surprised at how many great shots you can get by wandering through the downtown of any city. From small towns to suburbs to large metropolitan areas, downtowns are rife with brilliant colors, interesting backgrounds, and great lighting conditions (even in broad daylight).
You can usually find a building or an awning that provides plenty of shade; that way, you can shoot photos without your subjects being blown out by harsh sunlight.
12. Visit the classic local spots
Where I live, there’s a spot that’s always brought up when I’m discussing photo sessions with clients: a set of metal steps next to a certain building downtown. Clients love to get their pictures taken on these steps, but when I first started out, I saw them as a crutch. A cliché. A relic of the past that should be forgotten. Why go to the downtown steps when there are so many other interesting picture locations? Then I got over myself, embraced the idea, and my clients have loved the results.
There’s probably a similar spot where you do senior portrait sessions, too: an overused location that makes you roll your eyes when it comes up in conversation. My advice is to embrace the tradition and just go there anyway, at least for a few shots before heading elsewhere. Even though you might not personally think it’s a great spot for senior photos, your job is to get the best possible photos of your clients.
13. Explore a botanical garden
Most urban areas have some type of public garden, and these always work great for high school senior photos.
Of course, don’t just take the same standing-in-front-of-flowers shots as everyone else. Get off the beaten path a bit and try to find new ways of looking at familiar spots! Search for greens and oranges that will make your client stand out, or work with the seniors beforehand to plan their wardrobe accordingly.
Take a stroll by yourself or with a friend before you do the photo session and look for interesting lighting conditions or hidden locations that people normally ignore.
Finally, look on social media for hashtags commonly used at these locations for fun portrait ideas to try, or – better yet! – so you know the cliché shots to avoid.
14. Above all else, have fun!
When I first started doing high school senior pictures, I was so focused on the images that I left out the element of enjoyment. I was a serious photographer with a serious job to do. I quickly learned to loosen up, laugh a lot, and have fun with my clients. These young students are on the cusp of a very important time in their lives, and as a high school senior photographer, you have the incredible opportunity to catch this critical moment before it slips away.
So enjoy it! Laugh with your clients, talk with them about college or other post-high school plans, and get to know them throughout the session. Your photos will look better, your clients will enjoy their time with you, and you’ll get lots of referral business as a result. Studying techniques, locations, and posing tips is great, but if you and your clients aren’t having fun, then you’re doing something wrong.
Senior picture ideas: final words
These senior picture ideas are a good way to get inspired, but ultimately the success of your photo sessions is up to you. Use this article as a starting point but try your own ideas, find your own style, and do what works for you and your clients.
It also helps to find a friend or family member who can help you practice so you’re better prepared during the actual photo sessions, and this article should give you some good ideas to try!
Now I’d love to hear from you:
What tips have you found that work well when you are photographing high school seniors? What pitfalls or mistakes have you made that you want others to avoid? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Senior picture FAQs
What should I tell my clients to wear for high school senior pictures?
Don’t get too picky. Solid colors are great, but I have had the best results when my clients are relaxed and enjoying themselves. Instead of colors, think of styles: formal, casual, etc., and have your clients dress appropriately or give them the opportunity to change outfits. And of course, make sure to have them bring their cap and gown if they have it!
How long should my high school senior photo sessions last?
This can depend on many factors, but in general, your photo sessions should be about an hour. That’s almost always enough time to get the photos you’re after, though you can take longer if you need to factor in location changes, different outfits, etc. Just remember that the longer things go, the more likely your clients will become tired or bored, and you risk losing the energy and excitement that happens early in the session.
What time of day should I do high school senior photos?
I like to shoot these types of pictures in the evening when the sun isn’t high overhead. The lighting is usually softer, and you will have an easier time finding locations that are evenly lit.
How can I find new and exciting spots for high school senior photos?
If you’re struggling to find new locations for your photo sessions, just get in your car and drive around. Start with parks or other public spaces. Have you examined them from every angle? Are there new spots in these locations you haven’t considered? I have found some of my favorite photography spots completely by accident (all it took was a little driving around town). Just make sure photography isn’t prohibited, and that you have permission before you start taking pictures!
The post 14 Senior Picture Ideas to Get You Inspired appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.
12 Phone Photography Ideas for Fun Photo Outings
25
Jun
The post 12 Phone Photography Ideas for Fun Photo Outings appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Anthony Epes.
I will be honest: I didn’t want to love taking photos with my phone. But then I fell in love with having a small, portable camera at hand at all times, and I was both shocked and exhilarated by what my photography could become with an extra piece of kit in my pocket.
And you can fall in love with phone photography, too! That’s why, in this article, I’m going to share 12 phone photography ideas – so you can have plenty of fun with your phone camera and start capturing some amazing mobile photos.
(I’ll also share plenty of practical tips along the way!)
Let’s get started.
1. Photograph the light
“Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.”
George Eastman
If you ask me what I like to shoot, I will answer: light. Light is the number one subject in all of my photos.
I don’t really care what I am shooting; my eternal search and my greatest passion is light. That is why I am not a genre-specific photographer – I always think of light as my subject.
I love light in all of its formations – the subdued winter light when the cloud cover is thick, which creates a feeling of melancholy. Dappled spring light making shapes on a brick wall, which feels fresh and joyful and fun. The hard light of a summer’s afternoon, creating cutting shadows and making the world look flat.
If I were to offer one piece of advice for phone photography, it would be to get to know light. You may think you already know light, but most people don’t notice the endless variations of light all around them.
Become familiar with how light behaves and what it’s doing to your subject, and your photography will automatically take big leaps forward.
Tip: To make sure your photos aren’t under- or over-exposed (i.e., too dark or too bright), you can manually adjust the exposure (brightness). Most good phone cameras allow you to do this. It’s usually as simple as tapping on the phone where you’d like to focus; an exposure slider will appear, and you can make the image lighter or darker from there.
2. Look for interesting textures
Textures make up the world. They are everywhere, and they can be infinitely fascinating.
Exploring textures can help us find beauty in even the most mundane of subjects. I like to look for textures at my feet, on walls, and around buildings. I look for natural textures, too, such as slick shiny stones or porous old wood.
Textures are all around, so explore them with your phone camera!
For me, the key to getting the best shots is to use the natural qualities of our phones to improve the composition. Specifically, phones are amazingly mobile; I am always bending down and shooting reflections in puddles, or delving into corners or crevasses, finding little tufts of grass or cool patterns.
So use the mobility of your phone camera to help you change perspective. Seek new and interesting angles that reveal cool textures!
Tip: Make sure your subject is in focus. (It’s something people often forget with phone photography.) To set the focus, simply tap the part of the scene you want to stay sharp, and your phone will do the rest of the work!
3. Use the rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is one of my favorite compositional rules. It lets you compose interesting shots, and it’s a helpful way to determine where to place key elements in a scene.
So here’s how it works:
Divide the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. You’ll end up with a grid of nine equal parts, like this:
Then place your subjects and supporting elements along the different lines and intersection points. This will prevent your photos from becoming too boring – including a subject sitting in the left or right third of the image, with another element in the opposite space, can be a lot more interesting than a centered subject.
Tip: All phones have a built-in camera grid (i.e., a rule of thirds overlay!). This can be super useful when you’re composing with the rule of thirds. So go to the camera settings, find the grid option, turn it on, and compose away!
4. Don’t be afraid to photograph landscapes
In general, landscape photography is considered very technically demanding, and landscape photographers tend to own some of the biggest, priciest gear available. Yet I was astonished by the quality of the landscape photos I captured in Vietnam with my phone. Of course, it helps to have an astonishing landscape in front of you, but it also has to do with phone cameras and their now-impressive capabilities.
So give it a try and experiment with landscape photography.
I recommend shooting landscapes during the early morning or late afternoon/evening golden hours. I’d also recommend heading out during interesting weather – clouds generally add an interesting texture to the sky, for instance.
Try composing your scene with layers – specifically, it helps to find foreground, midground, and background points of interest to create depth. That’s what I did for the photo below:
Tip: I have a tiny tripod that my kids bought for making stop-motion films. It’s super useful for low-light landscapes (you can combine it with your phone’s self-timer to prevent camera shake).
5. Shoot panoramas
Capturing a panorama on your phone is so easy – you simply activate the Pano setting, and your phone does all the work for you. It will either ask you to move the camera across the scene or to take several photos which it then stitches together. Super cool!
I love panoramas because it’s hard to capture the full scale and wonder of a landscape without seeing the vastness of the location. Panos are particularly useful for city shooting, where it’s often tough to capture the expanse of a view in a single frame.
Tip: It may sound obvious, but for the best image quality, clean your lens. Phones sit in pockets and bags attracting all kinds of dust and dirt, and this makes the lens get dirty, fast. Blow the lens to remove any grit, then wipe with a soft cloth.
6. Take selfies
I used to really dislike selfies. But then I realized they’re a great way to record myself in the places I travel to. I don’t know about you, but I am always the photographer in my family or friend group – which means I almost never have my photo taken!
I also think shooting ourselves puts us more in touch with the experience of shooting portraits and helps us empathize with our subjects. Most people don’t mind having their photos taken, but there are people who are reluctant. So experiencing life on the other side of the camera is immensely useful when trying to put portrait subjects at ease.
Tip: Try shooting yourself in reflections. It adds to the playful feeling of a selfie!
7. Look for color
Color is joy. One does not think of joy. One is carried by it.
Ernst Haas
For me, color is a key language in photography. Color is powerful; it can communicate feelings and atmosphere. It can even tell stories. I love to encourage people to play with color and discover the emotions and meanings different colors bring to their images.
It’s definitely worth investigating what the colors in your photos mean to you!
Tip: If you want to get more control over color and go a little deeper with your editing, use the Snapseed app (for Android or iOS); it’s very powerful, and it’s also free!
8. Drop your expectations about what you want to see
One of the greatest enemies of finding interesting photos is your expectations.
This is especially true when you arrive in a famous location. You might expect to capture certain iconic places. You may even have a few specific shots lined up in your head.
Here’s the problem:
When you have expectations, you are essentially focusing your attention on the obvious. You’re limiting your awareness so that you may fail to see what is truly in the location around you.
If you expect to see certain things, your brain focuses on those things and blocks out other visual information. For example, if you’re going to Paris, you may fixate on obtaining a good Eiffel Tower shot. So you fixate on the Eiffel Tower – yet you don’t see all of the interesting subjects surrounding it, which may offer a better shot, better angle, or better elements.
This problem sounds simple, but I see it time and time again on my workshops: people tunnel-visioned by their expectations. Drop the expectations, focus on finding original shots, and you will see so much more.
9. Take your time, wander, and get lost
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
Pablo Picasso
Without a big camera around your neck, when you go out wandering, you could be anyone doing anything. You can blend into the background and nobody will see you as a photographer. It’s a freeing experience, and it lets you capture more honest, authentic moments.
To me, using a camera phone is all about roaming, getting lost, and figuring out how to photograph the place at which you end up. So take your phone, wander, and have fun. Then try to absorb the atmosphere and life of each place you choose to shoot.
Tip: Investigate your phone camera’s hardware and software. Many phones have added lenses and offer more control with every iteration. So check out your phone manual or look up the specs online.
10. Photograph the moments of life
Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.
Marc Riboud
Did you know that you can use photography to create something extraordinary from your life at any moment? Focusing parts of our life on creating and not just consuming or doing brings so many benefits.
This is where using a phone camera to keep a diary of the interesting moments of your life really comes into play. Personally, I want to savor my life. I want to weave being creative into my everyday activity!
So look around you. Appreciate what’s going on. And photograph moments of interest.
Now, when you always have a camera at hand, it can be tempting to just snap away and record everything you do. I don’t encourage that. Instead, live the moment, be in the moment, and – at times – use your camera to be intentionally creative.
Tip: When I am shooting fast-moving subjects – like my kids! – my phone’s burst mode offers a great way to get the subject in motion. Depending on your phone, you may be able to hold down the shutter button and capture a burst (and if that doesn’t work, check your manual for instructions specific to your phone).
11. Look for emotion
Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.
Don McCullin
Admit it: Most photos you see on social media or on your camera roll are boring. But why?
One very common reason is that they lack any type of feeling; they have no emotional impact. The photos are flat and uninteresting because the photographer was so busy focusing on the technical aspects of shooting, or on the subject and composition, that they forgot to include that magical element of emotion.
Humans are emotional beings, and we communicate through our emotions (just think about how adverts play on our emotions and manipulate us into wanting to buy stuff!).
It boils down to this: If you stand in front of your subject and don’t feel anything, it’s unlikely your future viewers will feel anything, either.
So look for subjects, places, people, things that make you feel something. It’s an easy way to figure out what to shoot. And you can feel any emotion: sadness, joy, awe, excitement, or delight.
Tip: Most up-to-date phones now come with a Night mode, and it helps the camera compensate for limited light. With Night mode on, you can do handheld shooting even at night. On most phones, you need to manually activate Night mode (but iPhones will do it automatically when they sense the low-light conditions).
12. Train your eye with mini-seeing projects
To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.
Elliott Erwitt
There are billions of pieces of visual information around us at all times. But our brains block most of it out – otherwise, instead of getting to the task at hand, we’d be constantly looking around and feeling overwhelmed by all that we see.
While blocking out all this visual noise is helpful for getting things done, it’s not helpful when we are trying to discover interesting shots. We want to see more of what’s around us. We want to open up our awareness.
I recommend using mini-seeing projects to help you do this. Specifically, pick a subject – and take a picture every time you encounter it. Yellow cars, discarded gloves, people with red hair, snail trails; the world is full of items worth noticing!
You’ll soon start to see how much you miss because you are basically just distracted with your life.
I always have something like this going on. I’m currently collecting photos of torn posters, interesting cloud formations, and things crushed in the street. It’s a really fun way to develop your seeing skills.
And of course, phones are a great way to do these mini seeing projects, because you can carry one with you at all times!
12 phone photography ideas: final words
So that’s it for my phone photography ideas! Hopefully, you’ll feel more excited and liberated as you go out and shoot with your phone.
Now over to you:
Do you have any additional phone photography ideas? Do you have any mobile photos you’re proud of? Share your thoughts (and images!) in the comments below.
The post 12 Phone Photography Ideas for Fun Photo Outings appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Anthony Epes.
11 Street Photography Ideas to Spark Your Creativity
11
Jun
The post 11 Street Photography Ideas to Spark Your Creativity appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.
Coming up with fresh, interesting street photography ideas can be a challenge – especially if you’re first starting to explore the genre.
But don’t worry. Because in this article, I share 11 ideas for beautiful photos, all designed to help you get excited about street photography.
Some ideas are a little more abstract than others; some may suit your tastes and others may not. But don’t only consider the ideas you feel comfortable with. Step outside your comfort zone and try something new. It’ll help you grow as a photographer, and it’ll add a richer dynamic to your portfolio of images!
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
1. People connecting
Instead of photographing individuals or groups of individuals, look for people interacting with each other. Aim to capture their relationship. This may be as simple as the exchange that takes place when someone buys a newspaper or street food.
I photographed the ladies below in a street market in Myanmar. The place was packed, and busy, too, with people coming and going. The two women met in the middle of the street and had a good catch-up. I have no idea what they were talking about, but it seemed like they had not seen each other for a while.
Standing close to them, I took a series of photos. They were engrossed in their conversation and quite oblivious to my presence.
2. Bicycles
I think you’ll find bicycles in most cities, towns, and villages, no matter your location. And they make wonderful photography subjects! You can photograph people riding bicycles, or bicycles that have been parked, bicycles with their owners, and bicycles without.
Look at the shapes and lines. Emphasize the wheels, handlebars, or seat. Come in close and consider the details. All bikes are unique and have some special features that you can focus on.
I’ve been photographing bicycles since I got my first camera. By now I have a pretty good collection of bike images.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
3. Shadows and reflections
This idea is a little more abstract, and it’s all about looking for interesting shadows and reflections to photograph.
Note that you can find shadows and reflections made by pretty much anything. And it’s not about the item itself, just the effect of it interacting with the light.
Dark shadows on a bright, sunny day are created by interestingly shaped items. Bikes make wonderful shadows. Trees do, too. Use your imagination when the sun’s out, or at night when passing under a street light.
(Also, think long and hard about whether you want to photograph just the shadow, or whether you want to include the item making the shadow, too.)
Reflections are all around you: In shop windows, the chrome of a classic car, puddles on the pavement after rain. Once you begin to look, you’ll start to see them everywhere.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
4. A bird’s-eye view
Look for locations where you are above the action. Capturing a bird’s-eye view of a street scene offers a perspective most people won’t otherwise experience.
After all, a view from above shows the world differently from how most of us see it.
So how can you achieve the bird’s-eye view perspective? Search for a footbridge or an overpass. Balconies, second-floor windows, and mezzanine floors are also all great places to shoot from above.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
5. Interesting modes of transport
How are people getting around? What are they using to carry their stuff from one place to another? Look for unusual and interesting modes of transport to photograph.
You might find an old person pulling a cart or an entrepreneur with a vehicle crafted to fit their specific needs. Maybe you’ll see a business person in a suit on a scooter or skateboard.
Many cities have public transportation that may seem common to their inhabitants – but it’s unique to the location and very unusual outside of those places.
6. Find the best light
Morning and evening are often considered the best time to take photographs because the light is richer and more flattering. But whatever time of day you can get out and about with your camera, always try to determine where the light is best.
In street photography, you need to study your locations and decide where to position yourself to make the most of the light. You can’t change the light, so you must do what you can to manage it well.
When you can’t get out in the morning, late afternoon, or evening, you’ll need to try harder to find the best light. It’s not impossible, just challenging. Look for where the light reflects and plays off surfaces in an interesting way. Position yourself and wait.
You may be surprised at what you can photograph.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
7. Work one location
Shoot in the same location, over and over again. For a week, a month, or a year. Commit to spending time at the same location regularly – for longer than you think you will need to.
By sticking with a single location, you’ll be forced to push yourself creatively.
Consider what makes the place unique or special. Aim to capture its character. What do you observe happening each time you’re there? Visit at different times of the day and night. How does the light vary? Shoot from as many different angles as possible.
Sure, it’ll seem hard, especially at first. But it’ll be great for developing your eye and your creativity.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
8. People working
Find people doing what they’re good at. Ask permission and offer free prints of your best photos.
When someone’s engrossed in what they’re good at, it’s easy to capture expression and feeling. You may be surprised at what you can photograph just from walking down the street.
Once you’ve found a person to photograph, observe them carefully. Look for peak moments in their activity. Watch for repetition. Capture the most significant aspects of their tasks with the aim of telling a story about what they are doing.
9. Shoot in black and white
Working in black and white is a classic – and somewhat cliché – street photography idea, but I feel compelled to include it. Black and white is easy to overlook. But it’s a great way to produce powerful photos.
Some photos are simply stronger in black and white. Some subjects and lighting conditions just lend themselves to monochrome.
Are you struggling with inspiration? Thinking and photographing in black and white can be the perfect way to get your creativity flowing!
Strip away the color. Pay careful attention to the light and tone. Look to present more feeling in your photos.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
10. Photograph people (and interesting things)
Get bold. Take some street portraits. And if possible, get your subject to pose with a prop.
Why? Props help people feel more comfortable. Plus, when a person’s holding something interesting, their attention will be a little distracted. They won’t be totally focused on you and your camera.
Ask the people you photograph some questions about their prop. Show that you are interested. This can also bring up valuable information, which can then lead to other street portrait ideas.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
11. Local animals
Look for birds, dogs, and cats in the street to photograph. Capture them as they sleep and as they eat.
Find a cat who owns the space it lives in. Look for a dog that wants attention from everyone who passes. Capture birds as they clean up crumbs left on an outdoor cafe table.
You’ll end up with some wonderfully intimate street shots!
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
Street photography ideas: final words
Hopefully, you’re now feeling far more motivated – and you have plenty of ideas worth photographing.
So choose one or two items that resonate with you. If none of the above work, check out the list below, where I’ve included some additional options. Work on a few to see which ones stick. Then go with the flow, and you’ll soon find you don’t want to put your camera down!
My list of additional street photography ideas:
- Environmental portraits
- People and signs
- Minimalism
- Empty streets
- Current issues
- Hands
- Close-up portraits
- Silhouettes
- Slow shutter speed
- Decisive moment
- Street art
- One color
- Shapes (squares, circles, triangles)
- Looking through things (frame within a frame)
- Worm’s-eye view
- Reflections
- Photograph from inside
- One lens
Street photography idea FAQs
What makes a good street photo?
It captures the essence of a place as you perceive it.
How do I start street photography?
Pick up your camera and head out the door. It’s as simple as that!
What are the rules for street photography?
I know of no rules for street photography. But here are a few suggestions: Photograph what you’re interested in. Be polite and stay safe. Make good art.
Is street photography legal?
In most countries, you are allowed to photograph whatever you like so long as you are on public property.
The post 11 Street Photography Ideas to Spark Your Creativity appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.
15 Photo Essay Ideas (to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing)
27
May
The post 15 Photo Essay Ideas (to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.
Visual storytelling is a normal part of our everyday lives, but coming up with good photo essay ideas can be challenging. So in this article, I want to share some topics you can use to create interesting, compelling photo essays.
A single, strong photograph can convey a lot of information about its subject – but sometimes we have topics that require more than one image to do the job. That’s when it’s time to make a photo essay: a collection of pictures that together tell the bigger story of a chosen theme.
Here’s a brief list of ideas to get you started!
© Kevin Landwer-Johan.
1. A day in the life
Your first photo essay idea is simple: Track a life over the course of one day. You might make an essay about someone else’s life. Or the life of a location, such as the sidewalk outside your house.
The subject matter you choose is up to you. But start in the morning and create a series of images showing your subject over the course of a typical day.
(Alternatively, you can document your subject on a special day, like a birthday, a wedding, or some other celebration.)
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
2. Capture hands
Portraits focus on a subject’s face – but why not mix it up and make a photo essay that focuses on your subject’s hands?
(You can also focus on a collection of different people’s hands.)
Hands can tell you a lot about a person. And showing them in context is a great way to narrate a story.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
3. A child and their parent
Photographs that catch the interaction between parents and children are special. A parent-child connection is strong and unique, so making powerful images isn’t challenging. You just need to be ready to capture the special moments as they happen.
You might concentrate on a parent teaching their child. Or the pair playing sports. Or working on a special project.
Use your imagination, and you’ll have a great time with this theme.
4. Tell a local artist’s story
I’ve always enjoyed photographing artists as they work; studios have a creative vibe, so the energy is already there. Bring your camera into this environment and try to tell the artist’s story!
An artist’s studio offers plenty of opportunities for wonderful photo essays. Think about the most fascinating aspects of the artist’s process. What do they do that makes their art special? Aim to show this in your photos.
Many people appreciate fine art, but they’re often not aware of what happens behind the scenes. So documenting an artist can produce fascinating visual stories.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
5. Show a tradesperson’s process
Do you have a plumber coming over to fix your kitchen sink? Is a builder making you a new deck?
Take photos while they work! Tell them what you want to do before you start, and don’t forget to share your photos with them.
They’ll probably appreciate seeing what they do from another perspective. They may even want to use your photos on their company website.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
6. Cover a local community event
A school fundraiser, a tree-planting day at a park, or a parade; these are are all community events that make for good photo essay ideas.
Think like a photojournalist. What type of images would your editor want? Make sure to capture some wide-angle compositions, some medium shots, and some close-ups.
(Getting in close to show the details can often tell as much of a story as the wider pictures.)
7. Fresh market life
Markets are great for photography because there’s always plenty of activity and lots of characters. Think of how you can best illustrate the flow of life at the market. What are the vendors doing that’s most interesting? What are the habits of the shoppers?
Look to capture the essence of the place. Try to portray the people who work and shop there.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
8. Shoot the same location over time
What location do you visit regularly? Is there a way you can make an interesting photo essay about it?
Consider what you find most attractive and ugly about the place. Look for aspects that change over time.
Any outdoor location will look different throughout the day. Also think about the changes that occur from season to season. Create an essay that tells the story of the place.
9. Photograph a garden through the seasons
It might be your own garden. It could be the neighbor’s. It could even be the garden at your local park.
Think about how the plants change during the course of a year. Capture photos of the most significant visual differences, then present them as a photo essay.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
10. Pick a local cause to highlight
Photo essays can go beyond passive documentation; they can become a part of your activism, too!
So find a cause that matters to you. Tell the story of some aspect of community life that needs improvement. Is there an ongoing issue with litter in your area? How about traffic; is there a problematic intersection?
Document these issues, then make sure to show the photos to people responsible for taking action.
11. Making a meal
Photo essay ideas can be about simple, everyday things – like making a meal or a coffee.
How can you creatively illustrate something that seems so mundane? My guess is that, when you put your mind to it, you can come up with many unique perspectives, all of which will make great stories.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
12. Religious traditions
Religion is often rich with visual expression in one form or another. So capture it!
Of course, you may need to narrow down your ideas and choose a specific aspect of worship to photograph. Aim to show what people do when they visit a holy place, or how they pray on their own. Illustrate what makes their faith real and what’s special about it.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
13. Historic sites
Historic sites are often iconic, and plenty of photographers take a snapshot or two.
But with a photo essay, you can illustrate the site’s history in greater depth.
Look for details of the location that many visitors miss. And use these to build an interesting story.
14. Cover a sports game
Most sports photographers aim for a stunning photo of the decisive moment – when the action is at its peak. But nailing shots like that can be very challenging.
So why not focus on something else? After all, sports involve so much more than a single moment. There’s training, preparation, and stretching. There’s the emotion following a victory or a tough loss.
These other subjects, when photographed carefully, can make for an interesting photo essay, too.
15. Photograph your pet
If you’re a pet owner, you already have the perfect subject for a photo essay!
All pets, with the possible exception of pet rocks, will provide you with a collection of interesting moments to photograph.
So collect these moments with your camera – then display them as a photo essay showing the nature and character of your pet.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
Photo essay ideas: final words
Look at the world around you. Consider what you see every day. What aspects interest you the most? Photograph those things.
You’re bound to end up with some beautiful photo essays!
Now over to you:
Do you have any photo essays you’re proud of? Do you have any more photo essay ideas? Share your thoughts and images in the comments below!
The post 15 Photo Essay Ideas (to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.
11 Food Photography Ideas (for Easy Inspiration)
07
May
The post 11 Food Photography Ideas (for Easy Inspiration) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.
Are you looking for food photography ideas to get inspired? You’ve come to the right place.
Professional high-end jobs in food photography often have a producer, an art director, a home economist, and a food stylist – or a subset of these. But if you’re just starting out, or you use food photography for your blog, you have to take care of everything on your own.
These food photography ideas are meant to help – and cover lots of key information, from picking the props to editing the photos. So keep on reading!
1. Use non-reflective props whenever possible
One of the most difficult technical challenges in food photography is dealing with reflections. Usually, plates, glasses, and cutlery are made with reflective materials that can be very tricky to photograph. That’s why I advise you to work with matte props if possible.
Consider the two cups above. To make a good picture with the shiny, ceramic cup, I would’ve spent a lot of time and effort managing the reflections in-camera – and I would’ve probably finished the job in post-processing. But with the matte cup, I had no issues; the downside is that it’s not always easy to find non-reflective props.
Salt-glazed ceramic or terracotta are good choices for plates and bowls depending on the look you want to achieve. As for cutlery, find tarnished silver or wooden utensils. But it needs to make sense with the mood of the photo.
Finally, you can try a matte finishing spray for bottles and glasses. There are some professional options, but you can also experiment with deodorant and hair spray.
2. Practice every chance you get
Practice makes perfect, so you should be practicing your food photography as much as possible.
Going out to eat is a great way to practice because it will give you a different setting as well as challenging lighting. Plus, practice photos are also great for your social media; you can post food photos on sites like Instagram to build your brand and grow your business.
You won’t have much control when shooting in a restaurant, especially if you’re using your phone – but that’s a challenge that will help you improve.
And you can do some things, such as:
- Choose the right camera angle
- Arrange the elements on the table in a pleasing way
- Carefully exercise composition guidelines
Actually, if you enjoy it and you become good at it, photographing restaurant food for social media can be your area of specialization. Many restaurants are currently hiring professional photographers to populate their own social media channels.
3. Pay attention to composition
Food photography composition refers to the positioning of elements (food, bowls, cutlery, etc.) within the frame. It’s an essential food photography factor because it will define how the viewer perceives the entire scene.
There are many compositional guidelines you can use to make your food photography stand out. Keep in mind that these guidelines aren’t universal; while a “rule” may fit one image, it might not be right for the next one. It all depends on the elements in your scene and what you’re trying to communicate.
For example, straight lines and a square composition convey stability, while diagonal lines and triangle compositions make for a dynamic image.
Most cameras have a grid with the rule of thirds, which is a basic composition guideline that suggests you position key elements a third of the way into the frame. However, many camera apps offer a wider selection of grids, such as the golden ratio – so experimenting with your smartphone can be a good way to train your eye.
Keep in mind that you can always improve the composition in post-processing using the Crop tool. In fact, Lightroom and Photoshop offer composition grids to guide your crops.
4. Learn to use – and prioritize – the camera settings
There are three settings to consider when you expose your image: the lens opening through which light travels (aperture), how long the light comes in for (shutter speed), and the extent to which the light is amplified by your camera (ISO). But you must be careful because each of these camera settings comes with other effects that can ruin a photo.
So what should you use to adjust the exposure?
Widening or narrowing the aperture will determine how much of your image is in focus. This is known as the depth of field. So if you have a still subject and you’re using a tripod, first adjust the aperture to achieve the desired depth of field. Leave the ISO at 100, then slow down your shutter speed to properly expose the photograph.
Now, with a slow shutter speed, all moving objects appear blurred. If you want to freeze motion, you have to keep a fast shutter speed. So for food photography scenes with movement, you should prioritize the shutter speed. Then set the aperture based on depth of field concerns. Finally, adjust the ISO.
Note: The higher the ISO, the more noise you’ll have in your photo; the lower the ISO, the smoother and sharper the result (all else being equal). So you should always use the lowest possible ISO.
5. Choose the right angle
Your choice of camera angle can make or break a photograph. There are three main camera angles in food photography:
- The top angle. Most commonly known as flat lay, this is a trendy style on Instagram. To create a top-angle shot, you should have the sensor parallel to the subject’s plane. (For top-angle inspiration, search Instagram for the hashtags #flatlayphotography or #flatlaystyle.)
- 45 degrees. Position your camera at a 45-degree angle from the flat table or surface on which the food lies. This angle mimics the way you normally see food.
- On a level. For this angle, you must drop the camera down to the subject’s level (your lens will often sit just above the table).
6. Choose the right light
The type of light and lighting setup you use will determine the mood and ambience of your food photography.
Do you prefer to do dark, moody shots or light and ethereal ones? Do you like to use artificial light or daylight? Should the light come from the side, the back, or the front?
There isn’t a hard rule that says what’s right or wrong. Make lighting choices based on what you want the image to communicate.
7. Take some macro shots
Macro photography produces magnified food close-ups, and it can be a simple way to add some variety to your food photography.
To achieve macro magnifications, I recommend a macro lens or extension tubes, though you can do near-macro photography with a telephoto lens.
You might capture macro images of a small ingredient, or you can highlight a detail from a bigger dish. It’s a creative approach that can enhance common subjects. Here are a few tips to get you started with macro food photography:
- Always use a tripod. At macro magnifications, even the smallest movement can change the focus and composition. A tripod will lock in your focus and keep the composition consistent.
- Use the rear LCD and focus manually. In macro photography, the depth of field is very shallow. If you want to nail the focus every time, you should forget about the viewfinder and work with the LCD screen of your camera. Then you can zoom in and manually adjust the focus.
- Use the self-timer or a remote release. This will avoid any camera shake from pressing the shutter button.
8. Food is culture, so step out of the studio
As Penny De Los Santos, a former National Geographic, award-winning photographer, says: “A food photographer is a visual food anthropologist. It’s not just about food on a plate; [it’s also about] the moments, the connections, the scenes, the places, the stories.”
Most people think of food photography as a prepped-in-the-studio job or as quick smartphone photos at a restaurant. But photographing a harvest or a food market allows for other types of food photography (that blend with genres such as travel photography and documentary).
So to enrich your food photography experience and to expand your creativity, give this a try!
9. Develop your personal style
Food photography is a vast field with many different approaches. What type of food photography do you want to do? Lifestyle photography? Still life? Product shots?
Another way to think about this is to start with the type of subject you want to shoot. You can choose between raw materials or cooked dishes. In any case, the decisions you make will determine your personal style and aesthetic.
Don’t worry, though; you don’t have to decide everything at first. Once you’ve made a few basic choices, your style will develop as you go. Then you can reflect on it, make conscious decisions, and perfect it with time.
But remember that your editing process will influence your style, so pay attention to it, too.
10. Retouch your photos
If you’re not working with a home economist or a food stylist, you might not have the perfect-looking dish or ingredient every time.
That’s where your retouching skills come into play. In Photoshop, you can perfect the edge of a rough cookie, color the border of a not-yet-ripe fruit, or reposition the cherry on top of a cupcake. You can also get rid of any unwanted reflections.
11. Use presets
Using presets and actions is a great way to speed up your editing and develop a consistent workflow. You can make your own presets, or you can get them from other professionals. There are many options on the market either for free or for sale.
Food photography ideas: conclusion
Well, that’s it:
11 food photography ideas to get your creative juices flowing. So have some food photography fun!
Now over to you:
Which of these food photo ideas is your favorite? Do you have any food photography shots you’re proud of? Share your thoughts (and photos) in the comments below!
The post 11 Food Photography Ideas (for Easy Inspiration) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.
11 Photo Manipulation Ideas (for Beautiful Results)
28
Apr
The post 11 Photo Manipulation Ideas (for Beautiful Results) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.
If you’re looking for some fun photo manipulation ideas to create stunning art, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, manipulating digital photography is a quick and easy process. Want to generate a double-exposure look? Create a tilt-shift effect? Simulate a fisheye lens? All these options and more are accessible thanks to image manipulation programs like Photoshop.
So here are 11 photo manipulation ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
1. Make a tilt-shift effect
When viewing a landscape from a distance, the scene looks uniformly focused to our eyes. However, when we look at a fake or model landscape, our physical proximity to the miniature scene creates some interesting optical effects.
But you don’t need a fake landscape to create this “tilt-shift” effect. With the right lenses, you can achieve it in-camera – or you can replicate the phenomenon in post-processing!
Here is a great tutorial on simulating a tilt-shift effect in Photoshop.
2. Generate an anaglyph 3D effect
Anaglyph 3D renderings are made up of two differently filtered and slightly offset colored images. When viewed through special glasses, the two different colors are seen by different eyes, creating a 3D effect.
Creating an anaglyph 3D image in Photoshop is easy. First, open a photo and duplicate the Background layer twice. Select one of the duplicated layers and click on the FX icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. Select Blending Options – this will open the Layer Style window. Uncheck the G and B checkboxes next to Channels in the central panel. Then click OK.
Next, select the other duplicated layer. Click on the FX icon at the bottom of the Layers panel and select Blending Options again. This time, when the Layer Style window opens, uncheck the R checkbox. Click OK.
Finally, select one of the duplicated layers and nudge it slightly to the left or right using the mouse or the directional keys on the keyboard. The colors in the layers will separate, generating an anaglyph effect.
3. Imitate a circular fisheye lens
Photo manipulation ideas inspired by camera equipment can achieve engaging results. A fisheye lens is an ultra-wide-angle that produces a large amount of distortion, creating distinctive panoramic or hemispherical images.
To create a circular fisheye effect, open an image and select the Elliptical Marquee tool. Set the Style dropdown on the top menu to Fixed Ratio and drag the Marquee tool over the center of the image. Click Filter > Distort > Spherize. Adjust the amount of distortion you’d like in the pop-up panel (I usually leave the slider at 100%). Click OK.
To isolate the Spherized section from the rest of the image, keep the Spherized layer selected. Right-click inside the perimeter of the Spherized layer, then hit Select Inverse.
Next, right-click on the outside of the circle and select Fill. In the Fill pop-up box, make sure the Contents dropdown menu is set to Black, the Mode is set to Normal, and the Opacity is set to 100%. Click OK.
The area outside the Spherized subject will fill with black, isolating the fisheye effect.
4. Combine two images for a double exposure effect
Fern photo: Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | f/2.8 | 1/80s | ISO 100
From the days of early photography, shooters have gone to considerable lengths to avoid ghosting and double exposures. However, some photographers generate multiple exposures deliberately for creative purposes.
Double exposures can be made in-camera (both digitally and on film), but they can also be imitated in Photoshop.
This article demonstrates a simple way to make a double exposure effect in post-production.
5. Simulate an infrared effect
Infrared photography captures wavelengths of light that operate outside the visible spectrum.
While there are several in-camera ways to create infrared imagery, the effect can be simulated in Photoshop, too. Take a look at our article on creating beautiful infrared effects.
6. Create a lens flare
When bright light reaches your camera, it can reflect off different parts of the lens to create an interesting flare effect.
While lens flare is sometimes unwanted, it can have interesting creative applications. In this article, we show you how to add a lens flare to an image with Photoshop.
7. Create a sepia look with Photoshop
Sepia is a warm brown tone named after the pigment derived from the ink sac of the cuttlefish genus Sepia. In photography, the term sepia refers to a form of print toning. The use of sepia in photography began in the 1880s, and today the beautiful warmth of sepia toning is associated with age and history.
To apply a sepia tone to a photograph in Photoshop, first open an image. Create a Curves adjustment layer and adjust the curve to introduce a faded aesthetic:
The next step is to set the Photoshop foreground color to around the #35322e mark and the background color to around #cebbab. Click on the Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel and select the Gradient Map option. This will apply a gradient sourced from the foreground and background color selections.
Select the Gradient Map layer in the Layers panel and open the Properties panel. In the Properties tab, click on the strip of graduated color to open the Gradient Editor.
Once in the Gradient Editor, make sure the Gradient Type is set to Solid and the Smoothness to 100%. Here’s what the window should look like:
Finally, feel free to make adjustments to the Gradient Map (this will change the sepia effect). Once you have finished preparing the Gradient Editor, click OK. And you’re done!
8. Apply an Instagram-like filter in Photoshop
Instagram gives users the option to easily customize images or videos before uploading them to the social media platform. And with varied and eye-catching results, many users have looked to emulate Instagram filters in Photoshop!
If you are interested in applying Instagram-inspired effects to your photography work outside of the social media platform, this tutorial might come in handy.
9. Create a Lomography-inspired effect
Named after the optics manufacturer Lomo, Lomography makes use of the unpredictable and unique optical traits of plastic cameras and alternative processing techniques. And with the rise of digital photography, the Lomo aesthetic has spread to digital manipulation techniques.
While there is no single Lomography look, different Photoshop techniques have been developed to recreate Lomography-type effects.
To produce a Lomo-inspired digital photograph, first open an image in Photoshop. For a more traditional look, you can crop the photo into a square using the Crop tool.
Next, create a Curves adjustment layer. In the Curves histogram, click on the RGB dropdown menu and select Red. Make a shallow S curve within the histogram.
Next, select Green from the RGB dropdown menu and make a slightly more pronounced S curve. Lastly, select the Blue channel from the RGB dropdown menu and make an S curve similar to the green S curve.
Keep in mind that the curves don’t have to mirror each other exactly – what we are aiming for is a well-saturated image with considerable contrast and a distinctive hue. For the best results, I recommend experimenting! You can also add some grain via Filter > Noise > Add Noise.
Lomographic images also tend to have pronounced vignettes. To emulate this effect, duplicate the original image layer. Then, with the Lasso tool selected, draw a loose oval or circle around the center of the image area. Click Select > Modify > Feather. Set the Feather Radius to 250 pixels (the maximum) and click OK.
Next, click on Select > Inverse. With the inverse selection active, create a Levels adjustment layer. In the Levels panel, adjust the sliders to introduce a dark vignette around the edges of the image (the effect will vary from photo to photo, so some experimentation may be required!).
10. Apply a Sabattier effect in Photoshop
The Sabattier effect is one of many photo manipulation ideas that originated in the darkroom. The process involves rendering a negative or print either partially or completely tonally reversed. In other words, dark areas in the image become light and light areas become dark – for an effect known as solarization.
In the darkroom, this Sabattier effect can occur when a semi-developed print or negative is re-exposed to light for a brief moment; the result is a surreal, eye-catching version of the photo.
Of course, you can also recreate the Sabattier effect in Photoshop with two simple methods:
Sabattier method 1
The first technique applies a solarizing filter directly to your photo.
First, open an image and duplicate it. With the duplicate layer selected, click Filter > Stylize > Solarize. That’s it! The image will instantly take on a solarized aesthetic.
For a more classic solarization effect, convert the image to black and white with a Black and White adjustment layer. Different black and white settings will alter the appearance of the solarization, so try a few different presets or make your own custom adjustments.
Sabattier method 2
While the Solarize filter method works well, it doesn’t offer a lot of creative control – it’s just a straight conversion. To make a less destructive and more customizable solarization effect, open your image in Photoshop and add a Black and White adjustment layer (if desired). Create a Curves adjustment layer.
In the adjustment layer, create this curve:
From there, you can adjust the curve for a dramatic look. Depending on the image, you can also reverse the Curves adjustment layer for a more pronounced or subtle effect. Since you’re working non-destructively with an adjustment layer, this process can easily be undone at any point.
11. Simulate a glitch effect
Last (but not least!) on our list of photo manipulation ideas is a glitch effect simulation.
Glitches are flaws in a digital medium. Inherent in our modern technological landscape, true glitch art is made by capturing organic glitches, manually corrupting digital media, or by physically manipulating electronic devices to cultivate glitched imagery. The process can be quite tricky, however – so simulating a glitch effect can be an easier way to convey the fragility of digital media.
To discover how to create a glitch effect in Photoshop, check out our step-by-step tutorial.
Photo manipulation ideas: conclusion
From Lomography-inspired effects to simulated glitch art, the creative possibilities of photography are just about limitless. So if you find yourself in a creative rut, give one of the photo manipulation ideas from this list a try – you never know what new perspectives your manipulations might inspire!
Now over to you:
What are your favorite types of photo manipulation? Share your thoughts (and examples!) in the comments below.
The post 11 Photo Manipulation Ideas (for Beautiful Results) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.
11 Portrait Photography Ideas to Inspire You
22
Apr
The post 11 Portrait Photography Ideas to Inspire You appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.
Coming up with fresh portrait photography ideas is challenging for many photographers. Whether you take a lot of portraits or are a beginner, it’s always best to have a few good ideas up your sleeve.
So here are 11 portrait photography ideas to create great images of whoever is in front of your camera, starting with…
1. Communicate well
Let your portrait subjects know what you want from them. Talk to them about what you are doing with the lighting, props, and background. This will build their confidence in you and show them you are serious about taking some great portraits.
Don’t be shy. Be interested in who they are and how they are feeling. Ask them questions. Show an interest in what they want.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
2. Light based on the mood
Style your lighting to suit the mood of the portrait you are creating. If you want a soft, gentle portrait, use soft lighting and add lights or reflectors to reduce strong shadows.
Alternatively, embrace the darkness and generate a sullen atmosphere by creating a shadowy, dark effect. Purposely underexpose so you create a sense of mystery.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
3. Make use of the environment or isolate your subject
Wherever you are, look around and think about how you can incorporate elements of the environment into your portrait photos. Think about whether showing some of the location will add to the portraits you are making.
If there’s nothing suitable to include in the photo, then isolate your subject. Blur the background by using a shallow depth of field, or find a plain, blank background to position your subject in front of.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
4. Ask your subject what they want
Even if you have some good portrait photography ideas of your own, ask your subject what they want. You may be surprised at what they have to offer.
The young lady in the photo below told me to include ice cream in our planned portrait session. So I bought ice cream. We were challenged by the weather. Even indoors with the air conditioning on full, the ice cream melted too quickly. So we made the most of it!
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
5. Use many lighting and background setups
Think outside the box and use different lighting setups and backgrounds during the portrait session. By controlling the lighting and backgrounds, you can create a strikingly diverse set of portraits.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
6. Take a series of portraits
Take a series of portraits with the aim of displaying them together. Keep the lighting and background the same for each shot and capture a range of expressions and poses from your model.
If you isolate your model on a plain background, you can print the entire series as a single image. Or you can frame each shot on its own but hang the series together.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
7. Photograph your subject’s hands
Hands bring a fresh dynamic and can help add more story to your pictures. You can have the hands holding something, or you can just arrange them nicely.
Giving your subject something to do with their hands will often help them relax. People can feel uneasy when they don’t know how to place their hands. So guiding the hands with some directions or suggestions will help your subject feel more comfortable.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
8. Go with the flow
Sometimes, your subject may have some great ideas that are quite different from yours. Go with the flow and include these. Take the photos they want because they will always be enthusiastic and more expressive when trying out their own ideas.
Even if the ideas your subject suggests are not so stellar, take the photos anyway. This will help your subject build confidence and strengthen the relationship between the two of you.
Then, once you’ve spent some time capturing the photos they want, move on to your own portrait photography ideas.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
9. Capture the moment
Be prepared to capture special moments as they happen. Don’t be peering down at your camera and fiddling with the settings. Instead, engage with your subject. Be constantly aware of what they are doing and how they are looking. You want to be ready when they smile (and even when they grimace).
When your subject is engaged in an activity, getting your timing right can be more challenging. For the street portrait below, I had to move to keep up with my subject. He was demonstrating the quality of the wallets he had for sale. He poured lighter fluid on one and set it alight to show that it was not made of plastic. It all happened very quickly!
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
10. Incorporate some movement
Portraits do not need to be still. Movement can help add liveliness to a photo.
Have your subject walk or jump. You can also get them to turn their head quickly, like I did for this photo:
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
Head movement works best when a person has long hair, but it can be a good idea even for shorter-haired subjects.
Any movement can make way for spontaneity, so don’t forget about the importance of capturing the moment (as I discussed in the previous section). Be ready for anything that might happen.
11. Expose for good skin tones
I’ll add one technical idea:
Set your exposure so your subject’s skin tone is well exposed. This is especially important when there’s a lot of contrast in your composition.
For instance, wedding portraits of a bride and groom can be challenging. A stunning bride in a white dress and a groom looking handsome in his dark suit can make it difficult for you to find a balanced exposure setting. So spot meter off their faces; this will ensure you end up with a good exposure.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
Bonus tip: Show your subject the portrait
Here’s a bonus portrait photography tip:
As soon as you have a few good photos, show your subject. Until you do this, they may not have a clear idea of what you are doing or how you are framing them. But once you show them how good you are making them look in the portraits, they will feel better about themselves. This boosted confidence will only lead to more great portraits.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
Portrait photography ideas: final words
It can be challenging to come up with good portrait photography ideas, so I hope this list was helpful.
The next time you have a person in front of your camera, remember these ideas – and use them!
Do you have any portrait photography ideas? Share them (and your portrait photos) in the comments below!
The post 11 Portrait Photography Ideas to Inspire You appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.
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