Yes, I know, pet portraits are also a thing. But today we discuss portraits made of people, the universal subject for most portrait work.
Portrait photography is especially challenging to get right. It usually includes more gear and doodads than other forms. In addition to the camera, one must often employ the use of a tripod, off-camera lighting, light stands, light modifiers, color gels, remote camera triggers, and special lenses. And these are just the beginning. Learning how to pose a subject in order to make them look natural, comfortable, at ease, pleasant and eager to participate is an on-going challenge.
The goal of the portrait photographer is to capture the real person, reveal personality, evoke expression and bring forth the essence of the person’s being. And this entails using all or part the aforementioned camera gear and optimal lighting placement to expose the person in the most flattering and artistic manner. The portrait subject may be a group of people, rather than just one. But the same principles apply. Good lighting, good posing techniques and bringing about the personality of the group lead to a successful portrait photography
Outdoor portraits have the advantage of using the sun as the main light source. But sunlight can be harsh, and often must be softened through a light diffuser. Auxiliary lighting may still need to be employed even in the presence of good sunlight, especially if the unlit side of the subject has deep shadow. Alternatively, a light reflector can be used to reflect the natural light onto those shadowed areas. What is nice about outdoor portrait shoots is that the camera can be handheld and dealing with a tripod is eliminated.
Indoor portraits do require a tripod to keep the camera perfectly still. And off-camera flash or other lighting is also essential. Background is especially important for indoor portraits and often call for a sheet of some kind draped behind the subject. Off-camera flashes are usually mounted on light stands and light modifiers are also necessary, such as light boxes or umbrellas.