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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
The most engaging portraits seem to have direct eye contact between subject and viewer, as if the camera were simply a window through which we’re looking. But is it that simple? So much goes into making a good portrait, can success simply come down to eye contact between subject and camera and is it even necessary to concentrate on the eyes for a portrait? There are certainly wonderful portraits that do not focus exclusively on the eyes that illustrate character with other aspects of the body, from posture to hands, but as an introduction to
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
These days, everyone has a camera right in their pocket. Smartphones have long been the go-to camera for quick photos of our friends, family, pets, and of course, ourselves. With features like portrait mode, users can simulate blurry backgrounds and isolate their subject for more eye-catching images. What else could you ever need? What if I told you that with the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Portraiture: It’s one of the most popular and prevalent forms of photography. Although it may seem simple on paper, it comes with its own unique obstacles. Of course, you’ll want to be familiar with your gear. This is essential to all working photographers, but it allows you to focus your efforts on the genre-specific challenges you’ll face.
When photographing people, you’ll find that some folks are photogenic, while others are not. Your job as a photographer is to break down the barriers set by your clients and to put them in the most
by Allan Weitz · Posted
For the longest time, comparing image quality between point-and-shoot cameras and full-frame cameras, or even APS-C format cameras, was a conversation you could have start to finish during the course of an elevator ride. Point-and-shoot cameras were convenient, but the detail and dynamic range of their smaller sensors never measured up to the detail and dynamic range you get from larger sensors. And then one day Sony introduced a new 1" format CMOS sensor, and BOOM! People started having second thoughts about slinging heavy camera bags over
by Jill Waterman · Posted
In his 1997 article “The Problem with Wildlife Photography,” author and environmental activist Bill McKibben wrote, “Without Kodak there’d be no Endangered Species Act.”
While viewed by some at the time as controversial, McKibben’s point has only gained traction in the intervening years. Recent news reports abound with stories of overenthusiastic shutterbugs who do harm to themselves—or worse yet, to their intended animal subjects—when attempting selfies in the wild or trying to capture a prize-winning close-up. Fueled by the power of
by Jill Waterman · Posted
In recent years, several incidents involving careless shutterbugs light painting with burning steel wool gained notoriety in the press, giving legitimate night photographers a bad reputation. With these unfortunate matters in mind, we interviewed a variety of night-photography specialists to compile the following eight tips on safety and etiquette when photographing in the darkness.
Above photograph © Troy Paiva
1. Do no harm and don’t be a jerk
Taking a cue from the Hippocratic Oath, Stu
by Cory Rice · Posted
Photographing groups can be a humbling experience for even the most seasoned photographer. The trick is to create an image that succeeds on an individual and collective level. Depending on the number of people involved, this can entail quite a bit of planning and more than a little bit of luck. Below are a few tips for photographers bold enough to tackle the group portrait.
Choosing the right location is important for any portrait.
Think Big Picture First
Who are you photographing and what are you trying to communicate with your image?
by Cory Rice · Posted
Portraiture is a collaborative process. Mastering the technical skills necessary to make a successful photo is only half of the job for the portrait photographer. The other half is managing and working with people. The best portraits offer more than just a record of how a person looked on a particular day; they provide a glimpse inside of that person. The challenge for the portrait photographer is in creating an environment and establishing a rapport that can accomplish this goal, often in a very short amount of time. The tips below should
by Dawn Wayand · Posted
As a new studio photographer, you may have found your niche in fashion, portraits, or headshots. Perhaps you like macro photography or shooting food and products. Regardless of what you specialize in shooting, you’ll need a studio space. However, many photographers cannot afford the expense of a commercial studio, and will find creating a home studio to be a more cost-effective option.
Above photograph © Robert Olsen
by Allan Weitz · Posted
As a working photographer, the center of the universe is your camera bag and its contents. Your cameras and lenses are the tools of your trade. As you may have noted, both are mentioned in plural because just as you wouldn’t jump out of an airplane without a backup parachute, you shouldn’t attempt to photograph an emotionally spiked, non-repeatable event armed with only one camera. The same applies to lenses, too. The many aspects that comprise shooting weddings—portraits, the ceremony, dimly lit environs, tight, crowded quarters and bright
by Cory Rice · Posted
“I hope we will never see the day when photo shops sell little schema grills to clamp onto our viewfinders; and that the Golden Rule will never be found etched on our ground glass.” —Henri Cartier-Bresson
Above: Apneet Kaur, Rockaways; Photographs © Cory Rice
If the Internet provides any indication of how photography is imagined by its practitioners today, one could be forgiven for thinking a robot capable of churning out flawless pictures. Two characters share the brunt of the blame for the above conclusion: the gear fetishist and
by Jill Waterman · Posted
With the year winding down and arrangements for family gatherings in the works, some advance planning for recording these moments through photographs is a worthwhile consideration. It’s no longer the era of your grandfather’s Kodak, with family members captured stiff as a rail or suffering from red-eye. There are lots of exciting imaging options out there, all of which involve slightly different approaches. In an effort to help you to make sense of the current spectrum, we’ve outlined these seven tips to walk you through the process, and to
by Cory Rice · Posted
There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.” — Ansel Adams
A strong photograph is a marriage of concept and skill. Just as a brilliant idea falls apart in the hands of an inept photographer, even the most beautiful exposure is wasted if the scene it reproduces is not worth looking at. Countless tutorials and gear guides fill the Internet, aimed at tempering our seemingly genetic predisposition for dwelling on the nitty-gritty details of our craft. But what about the big picture? Enter photo theory.
I can already hear the
by David Adler · Posted
So you want to work with raw video, huh? Good. You’re ambitious—I like that. Working with raw video, however, is not something to be taken lightly. It’s a very powerful asset that has been made available to many consumers through a variety of affordable cameras from Blackmagic Design. But raw video takes up a lot of space and the benefits can be a little esoteric or unclear, especially if you don’t come from a stills photography
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Are you a beginner who is about to photograph your first wedding ever? Or, are you a seasoned pro shooter who could pick up a second job critiquing the moistness levels of wedding cakes from hundreds of different bakeries?
Regardless of your skill levels and experience, there is always room for learning new tricks and adding new, great images to your portfolio. We spoke to a handful of wedding photographers around North America to capture their thoughts on how to improve the art of shooting wedding photos.
1. Scouting
One of the most echoed