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Photo Tips & Techniques

Not Your Usual Portrait Tip Article Article rating: 8.53

If you Google “Photographing Portraits,” you’ll encounter page after page of text and pics sharing tips, tricks, and hints. Rather than add to the list of articles that explain and diagram where to place the main light, at what intensity the hair light should be in relation to the main light, and how to feather and gobo the fill, I want to share three bottom line concepts with regards to improving your people pics in the great outdoors. There are numerous variables with which the outdoor portrait photographer has to deal - light, backgrounds, time of day, white balance, angles, and intent of the image. Taking control of these by following the three accompanying concepts will lead to getting better images.

Come in Close: By getting in close and keeping the crop tight, a few of the variables that may otherwise degrade a portrait can be overcome. If the light is harsh, find a small patch of shade, place your subject in that area and zoom in to just the face. The intent of the image is all about the eyes. The words, “the eyes are the gateway to the soul” reigns supreme with a close crop. Let the eyes speak to you. Relate to your subject and wait for the moment they become expressive. Be patient while you continue your conversation keeping the subject relaxed and when the moment of truth arrives, shoot a burst of images. So with the light and intent of the image dealt with, there’s an added bonus when creating a close crop. A cluttered background doesn’t interfere with the subject. Keep the aperture fairly wide. Stop down just enough to cover the depth of field for your subject while simultaneously throwing the background out. If the background is too close to the subject to be thrown out of focus, try to find a different location with a cleaner background.

(©Russ Burden)

Show the Environment: Conversely to what appears just above, there are times when the background needs to be included to tell a story, otherwise known as an environmental portrait. Variables with which to deal - the background, the light, time of day.... in essence, all that I listed in the first paragraph. Most successful photographers are good problem solvers and most problems have solutions. Process what the problems are and do what’s logical to offset them. In the accompanying image of the sailor, I wanted to show him in action. The image was taken in late morning and the light was harsh. To get the best possible image given the conditions, I waited for a few things to fall into place: a) The surrounding backgrounds were confusing so I got down low to use the sky to create a wash of color b) in conjunction with waiting for the boat to be steered to a place with the cleanest background, it coincided with the best light angle to light the sailor’s face. I needed him to be lit from the side in that his hat created harsh shadows across his eyes and nose. c) when the light and background fell into place, this is where I connected with the subject so he’d present his great smile. The intent was completed.

(©Russ Burden)

Capture the Moment: If the eyes are the gateway to the soul, the smile or expression is the gateway to the heart providing a warm, emotional feeling. Waiting for that moment requires persistence and patience. The photographer’s eye must remain glued to the viewfinder waiting for the fleeting instant when it occurs. While it may seem tedious and draining, a realization occurs that the more times you walk away with a winner, the easier it becomes based on the reward. In the accompanying photo of my son with the hose, the moment was special. The instant at which I pressed the shutter was the instant he realized what happens when pressurized water is released via the squeezing of the nozzle. I waited for him to make the discovery hoping it would provide an image dear to my heart. I have to admit that I was a bit worried that the hose may get turned my way.

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.

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