Portrait Photography How To

It’s always interesting to see how different photographers approach the same assignment. Even when shooting similar subject matter, results can vary widely based upon the personal style of each photographer and the equipment they bring to the task

Photographer Matt Higgs says he’s a firm believer that the best way to become a better photographer is to “go out and do things that would normally be outside your comfort zone.” With that in mind he challenged himself to hit the streets and shoot 30 portraits of complete strangers in just two hours. As you’ll see in the video below, he learned a few things along the way.

If you’re looking for a way to create portraits with a unique vibrant look, check out this Photoshop tutorial explaining how to colorize images in Photoshop.

Some photographers shy away from portraiture because they believe this form of photography requires a sophisticated studio with a lot of expensive lighting gear. But in this quick tutorial photographer Mark Wallace demonstrates how to make compelling portraits in a small room with just one light and a mirror.

Many portrait photographers employ a portable light to boost ambient illumination and fill in shadows when shooting outdoors. In the four-minute video below you’ll see how simple diffusion panels can modify the quality of light and give you exactly the look you’re after.

Back in the “old days” of film photography, soft-focus portraits were either achieved using lenses that were not nearly as sharp as those we have today, or with more invasive measures like scratching the front element of a lens. 

Portrait lighting can be an art form in and of itself. But in the quick tutorial below you’ll learn how to create dramatic portraits using nothing more than two basic off-camera speedlights and some simple adjustments.