As the calendar flipped to 2015, we asked DPReview readers to look back at their photographic year and send us their favorite shots from 2014 so we could feature some standouts on our homepage. The response was overwhelming. We’ve sorted through 1400+ submissions and made selections of our favorites in three categories – people, places and things. Take a look at some of our readers’ best work from the last year. See galleries
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
I’m always amazed when I take professional head shots how every photo shoot presents different challenges. That’s the beauty, and sometimes frustrating part of being a photographer. No shoot is the same.
When you have a model as the subject in front of your lens, being able to nail that shot will be a lot easier. What do I mean by easier? Models know how to pose and appear more relaxed in front of the camera than others. Straight away, you can concentrate on taking photos with little or minimal direction of your model.
Each photographer has their own unique style and methods when taking head shots. But like any genre of photography, the methods used will differ within each speciality. In landscape photography, a wide angle lens is a must and shooting with a small aperture(f/16), plus you are outdoors. Whereas shooting head shots is normally done in a studio with continuous or strobe lighting using a portrait lens.
My favourite focal length for head shots is 70mm lens on a cropped sensor (Nikon 1.5x) so the equivalent is a 105mm on a full frame sensor. A tripod is essential for studio work, and Lighting is key. They are many different setups depending on how you want to shoot your model and how many lights that you have. The background should be neutral if possible (e.g. white, grey, black). Please see the description below for how to practice head shots in your home.
Personally, I tend to work fast as I know most people’s span of attention for a photo shoot is limited before boredom sets in. There is nothing worse than seeing that bored expression on someone’s face reflected back at you on screen. Also no amount of photoshop can replicate someone’s expression or essence. I feel you have to master this technique in camera.
This setup can be easily done in your house beside a large window using one flash (speedlight) on a light stand. Have your subject sit facing towards the flash.
Get the subject to turn from the waist towards the camera, so that their legs are still facing towards the flash. This will mean your subject’s form will not be square to the camera and their posture will be straighter. This makes for a more flattering pose. The eyes are the key feature to portrait shots. So they must be in sharp focus, and preferably have catchlights.
I chose the photo of Didi as one of my favourite professional head shots for the following reasons. I was outdoors, which is always more challenging. The light is always changing and I was at the mercy of the weather (unlike a studio setting where the lighting is constantly the same and it doesn’t rain).
Just before I took this shot, it had started to rain – a light drizzle. I gave my jacket to Didi as she began to feel chilly. This was at the end of a long session. I got her to hold the white translucent umbrella that I brought with me. This was not for the rain but to block out the distracting background and it helped to bounce the natural light around her aided by the shiny material of the jacket – a sort of rim light. Her expression speaks for itself – she was happy and warm!
Do you have a favourite headshot or any other tips you’d like to share? Please do so in the comments below.
The post Tips for Photographing Head Shots by Sarah Hipwell appeared first on Digital Photography School.
Photographs from a fisheye lens look different, which can be a good or not-so-good thing. This uber-wide angle lens let’s you get super close to your subject, yet still see the background. It’s an unusual perspective you can’t get with any other lens. But there are challenges, too. The edges are distorted, which makes some shots look weird, but below, Continue Reading
The post Fisheye Photography: 9 Shots That Work Amazingly Well appeared first on Photodoto.
Getting married but unsure of what kind of wedding photography you want? Flicking through various online galleries, websites, and blogs for inspiration? Never dealt with a professional photographer and not sure of what questions to ask? We profile the top ten wedding shots every Bride should have. From the wedding morning excitement, to when you finally say ‘I do’. We Continue Reading
The post Infographic: 10 Must-Have Wedding Shots for Every Bride appeared first on Photodoto.
Moscow-based photographer Alexey Kljatov is a keen macro photographer, and for the past couple of years he’s been producing closeup shots of snowflakes. His inexpensive homemade rig delivers extraordinary magnification, revealing an incredible amount of detail in the intricate crystals of ice. See his setup and gallery of snowflakes
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
The cringeworthy moment at which one’s accused guilt is captured forever (and often disseminated on the internet) results in a telling portrait of the subject. Mug shots reveal the emotions, personality traits and sometimes visual vestiges of the crime that was committed, and they’re endlessly fascinating for the world at large to look at. Artist Joanne Arnett exploits those qualities in a series of stunning self-portrait mug shots woven on a loom.
Arnett envisioned five characters, from a young celebutante type to a graying businessman, and transformed herself into them using makeup and props she already had on hand. She photographed herself in costume, digitally added the booking information, and then recreated each mug shot using wire and thread.
The artist, who experimented with weaving facilities while studying at Kent State University, translated all the elements of each photograph into a highly realistic textile. The background patterns and colors were carefully researched to reflect the personality of the character displayed.
“Mug shots are taken at a point between conflict and resolution,” says Arnett. “The person being photographed is documented at a time where life has slipped out of control. There is no opportunity to prepare for the picture, and he knows it will be made public. So there is an interesting element of being alone yet also on display.”
Imagine rooms that expanded and compressed depending on occupancy, then stretch your mind to conceptualize a whole home that works the same way – it …
Click Here to Read More »»
Removing colors can have a dramatic effect on an image. These creative monochrome photographers have created breathtaking photos in black and white.
Click Here to Read More »»
Ephemeral, always changing, portraits are about capturing a person in a precise moment of time. Here are 13 creative portraits and 12 portraiture photographers.
Click Here to Read More »»
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
The cringeworthy moment at which one’s accused guilt is captured forever (and often disseminated on the internet) results in a telling portrait of the subject. Mug shots reveal the emotions, personality traits and sometimes visual vestiges of the crime that was committed, and they’re endlessly fascinating for the world at large to look at. Artist Joanne Arnett exploits those qualities in a series of stunning self-portrait mug shots woven on a loom.
Arnett envisioned five characters, from a young celebutante type to a graying businessman, and transformed herself into them using makeup and props she already had on hand. She photographed herself in costume, digitally added the booking information, and then recreated each mug shot using wire and thread.
The artist, who experimented with weaving facilities while studying at Kent State University, translated all the elements of each photograph into a highly realistic textile. The background patterns and colors were carefully researched to reflect the personality of the character displayed.
“Mug shots are taken at a point between conflict and resolution,” says Arnett. “The person being photographed is documented at a time where life has slipped out of control. There is no opportunity to prepare for the picture, and he knows it will be made public. So there is an interesting element of being alone yet also on display.”
Imagine rooms that expanded and compressed depending on occupancy, then stretch your mind to conceptualize a whole home that works the same way – it …
Click Here to Read More »»
Removing colors can have a dramatic effect on an image. These creative monochrome photographers have created breathtaking photos in black and white.
Click Here to Read More »»
Ephemeral, always changing, portraits are about capturing a person in a precise moment of time. Here are 13 creative portraits and 12 portraiture photographers.
Click Here to Read More »»
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
The cringeworthy moment at which one’s accused guilt is captured forever (and often disseminated on the internet) results in a telling portrait of the subject. Mug shots reveal the emotions, personality traits and sometimes visual vestiges of the crime that was committed, and they’re endlessly fascinating for the world at large to look at. Artist Joanne Arnett exploits those qualities in a series of stunning self-portrait mug shots woven on a loom.
Arnett envisioned five characters, from a young celebutante type to a graying businessman, and transformed herself into them using makeup and props she already had on hand. She photographed herself in costume, digitally added the booking information, and then recreated each mug shot using wire and thread.
The artist, who experimented with weaving facilities while studying at Kent State University, translated all the elements of each photograph into a highly realistic textile. The background patterns and colors were carefully researched to reflect the personality of the character displayed.
“Mug shots are taken at a point between conflict and resolution,” says Arnett. “The person being photographed is documented at a time where life has slipped out of control. There is no opportunity to prepare for the picture, and he knows it will be made public. So there is an interesting element of being alone yet also on display.”
Imagine rooms that expanded and compressed depending on occupancy, then stretch your mind to conceptualize a whole home that works the same way – it …
Click Here to Read More »»
Removing colors can have a dramatic effect on an image. These creative monochrome photographers have created breathtaking photos in black and white.
Click Here to Read More »»
Ephemeral, always changing, portraits are about capturing a person in a precise moment of time. Here are 13 creative portraits and 12 portraiture photographers.
Click Here to Read More »»
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
The cringeworthy moment at which one’s accused guilt is captured forever (and often disseminated on the internet) results in a telling portrait of the subject. Mug shots reveal the emotions, personality traits and sometimes visual vestiges of the crime that was committed, and they’re endlessly fascinating for the world at large to look at. Artist Joanne Arnett exploits those qualities in a series of stunning self-portrait mug shots woven on a loom.
Arnett envisioned five characters, from a young celebutante type to a graying businessman, and transformed herself into them using makeup and props she already had on hand. She photographed herself in costume, digitally added the booking information, and then recreated each mug shot using wire and thread.
The artist, who experimented with weaving facilities while studying at Kent State University, translated all the elements of each photograph into a highly realistic textile. The background patterns and colors were carefully researched to reflect the personality of the character displayed.
“Mug shots are taken at a point between conflict and resolution,” says Arnett. “The person being photographed is documented at a time where life has slipped out of control. There is no opportunity to prepare for the picture, and he knows it will be made public. So there is an interesting element of being alone yet also on display.”
Imagine rooms that expanded and compressed depending on occupancy, then stretch your mind to conceptualize a whole home that works the same way – it …
Click Here to Read More »»
Removing colors can have a dramatic effect on an image. These creative monochrome photographers have created breathtaking photos in black and white.
Click Here to Read More »»
Ephemeral, always changing, portraits are about capturing a person in a precise moment of time. Here are 13 creative portraits and 12 portraiture photographers.
Click Here to Read More »»
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
The cringeworthy moment at which one’s accused guilt is captured forever (and often disseminated on the internet) results in a telling portrait of the subject. Mug shots reveal the emotions, personality traits and sometimes visual vestiges of the crime that was committed, and they’re endlessly fascinating for the world at large to look at. Artist Joanne Arnett exploits those qualities in a series of stunning self-portrait mug shots woven on a loom.
Arnett envisioned five characters, from a young celebutante type to a graying businessman, and transformed herself into them using makeup and props she already had on hand. She photographed herself in costume, digitally added the booking information, and then recreated each mug shot using wire and thread.
The artist, who experimented with weaving facilities while studying at Kent State University, translated all the elements of each photograph into a highly realistic textile. The background patterns and colors were carefully researched to reflect the personality of the character displayed.
“Mug shots are taken at a point between conflict and resolution,” says Arnett. “The person being photographed is documented at a time where life has slipped out of control. There is no opportunity to prepare for the picture, and he knows it will be made public. So there is an interesting element of being alone yet also on display.”
Imagine rooms that expanded and compressed depending on occupancy, then stretch your mind to conceptualize a whole home that works the same way – it …
Click Here to Read More »»
Removing colors can have a dramatic effect on an image. These creative monochrome photographers have created breathtaking photos in black and white.
Click Here to Read More »»
Ephemeral, always changing, portraits are about capturing a person in a precise moment of time. Here are 13 creative portraits and 12 portraiture photographers.
Click Here to Read More »»
[ By Steph in Art & Photography & Video. ]
[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]
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