3 Environmental Portraiture Tips
An Environmental Portraiture aims to show a person in their natural environment. Whether that be in their home, workplace or during one of their favourite activities. By photographing a person in their natural surroundings, you are able to approach them comfortably and truly illuminate their character. Environmental Portraits allow you to really connect with your subject and capture their personality with the trip of your shutter.
Connect with your subject.
An Environmental Portrait showcases a persons true personality through a photograph. How can you as the photographer truly capture that personality if you don't know of it yourself. Spend time talking with your subject. The more you talk to your subject the more you will learn about them and consequently the more comfortable they will become around you. Some people are very shy when being photographed. A good way to combat this is to slowly talk to your subject without holding your camera. Have it near by on a table and get to know your subject a bit first. Once you have engaged with your subject you can hold your camera but not pointing it at them. Hold it in the crook of your arm or have it hanging from your neck. While you are interacting with your subject be sure to watch their mannerisms and body language. When you feel like they are opening up and becoming comfortable, you can start working towards your first frame. During conversation casually ask them to hold a position that you find appealing and shoot it, then continue the conversation with the camera back around your neck or in the crook of your arm. This slow approach to your portraits will often break down any walls your subject may have in regards to being photographed.
Location and Props.
A location that showcases your portrait is just as important as your subject. It does not make sense to photograph the worlds best chef playing chess if you understand what I mean. Locations and back grounds can make your photos just as easily as a heavy handed prop. If using props, try to make them as subtle as possible. There is nothing worse than a forced portrait. Try not to instruct your subject too much. All models need some form of coaching but there is a fine line between controlling and contorting your subject.
Lighting is key.
Making use of the available or natural light on an environmental shoot is essential. Whether your subject is outside or near a window, if they are in direct sunlight, or backlit. All of these factors come into play and will in the end determine how your portrait can be interpreted. As a photographer you can use light to your advantage. Bed sheets as diffusers, white walls as bounce cards, there are hundreds of different household items that can be used to transform the light around you. Knowledge of what light will best suit your subject in their environment is key. Just remember the cute old granny becomes very menacing under godfather lighting.
At thelightroom we have an exciting Environmental Portraiture class approaching on the 24th where you can learn how to put these tips and many more into use with a real model. Follow the link for more details. http://www.thelightroom.com.au/pages/educate/classes.asp?sku=210986&brand=Master%20Class&dept=103
CameraAction's top 10 Landscape Photography Tips
This weekend we have a Landscape Masterclass with professional photographer Trav Munro. Here are a few tips to whet your Landscape appetite.
10. Use a Tripod.
The beauty of Landscape photography is that you can shoot literally anywhere. What this means is that you can lead yourself to some unstable grounds. A sturdy tripod will assure you can get a sharp shot, even in the most precarious of locations.
9. Consider your Horizons.
When the Horizon is visible, make an effort to keep it as horizontal as possible. You don't want to have to crop your image and lose an element in your photo just because your tripod wasn't level.
8. Use a Remote
A remote shutter release will attempt to remove any unnecessary camera shake being transferred from your body to the camera while releasing the shutter. If shooting a long exposure, eliminating camera shake is a top priority.
7. Maximize your Depth of Field.
Depth of Field within Landscape Photography is one of those "Rules of Photography". Most times, you should be attempting to get your entire shot in focus. However, rules are meant to be broken. You can achieve fantastic Landscape shots using a shallow depth of field.
6. Foreground Elements
Using a prominent foreground element in your shot will give depth to the image. It can also be used to add scale or simply give the landscape a sense of location. Flowers, trees, a barn, a car, anything can be used. Get creative.
5. Accentuate Movement
A slow shutter speed can be used to accentuate movement amongst your composition. Waterfalls, clouds and car headlights can bring life to an image. A slow shutter speed of usually more than a second or two is generally enough to begin to see the benefits of this technique.
Top Tip: Neutral Density (ND) Filters placed in front of your lens will allow you to use a slower shutter speed even on a bright sunny day.
4. Use Lines to Draw in your Audience
Roads, paths and rivers can all be used as guiding lines into your Landscape composition. Lines also give your shot depth, scale and another point of interest for your viewer.
3. Compressing your Landscapes
You don't always need to use a wide angle lens to get great landscape shots. A Telephoto lens can be used to "Compress" your subject. The more you zoom into an object, the closer the background will appear to be. For more clarification on this topic have a look at the image below. The only change between all of these photographs is the focal length of the lens.
This weekend we have a Landscape Masterclass with professional photographer Trav Munro. Here are a few tips to whet your Landscape appetite.
10. Use a Tripod.
The beauty of Landscape photography is that you can shoot literally anywhere. What this means is that you can lead yourself to some unstable grounds. A sturdy tripod will assure you can get a sharp shot, even in the most precarious of locations.
9. Consider your Horizons.
When the Horizon is visible, make an effort to keep it as horizontal as possible. You don't want to have to crop your image and lose an element in your photo just because your tripod wasn't level.
8. Use a Remote
A remote shutter release will attempt to remove any unnecessary camera shake being transferred from your body to the camera while releasing the shutter. If shooting a long exposure, eliminating camera shake is a top priority.
7. Maximize your Depth of Field.
Depth of Field within Landscape Photography is one of those "Rules of Photography". Most times, you should be attempting to get your entire shot in focus. However, rules are meant to be broken. You can achieve fantastic Landscape shots using a shallow depth of field.
6. Foreground Elements
Using a prominent foreground element in your shot will give depth to the image. It can also be used to add scale or simply give the landscape a sense of location. Flowers, trees, a barn, a car, anything can be used. Get creative.
5. Accentuate Movement
A slow shutter speed can be used to accentuate movement amongst your composition. Waterfalls, clouds and car headlights can bring life to an image. A slow shutter speed of usually more than a second or two is generally enough to begin to see the benefits of this technique.
Top Tip: Neutral Density (ND) Filters placed in front of your lens will allow you to use a slower shutter speed even on a bright sunny day.
4. Use Lines to Draw in your Audience
Roads, paths and rivers can all be used as guiding lines into your Landscape composition. Lines also give your shot depth, scale and another point of interest for your viewer.
3. Compressing your Landscapes
2. Watch Your Sky
The sky can make or break your photograph. Dramatic clouds can really enhance your landscapes but an overcast bland sky can be quite an eyesore. Use the sky to your advantage. Compose for the sky. If its an overcast day, don't over emphasize the sky. Use your rule of thirds in order to best suit your current situation.
1. Magic Hour
The softest and nicest light to shoot in is generally half an hour before sunrise or half an hour after sunset. Your camera can see a lot more light than the human eye and you will be amazed at the colours your camera will see even when it appears to be dark. Use a combination of a tripod, remote and long shutter speed for the greatest results.
The softest and nicest light to shoot in is generally half an hour before sunrise or half an hour after sunset. Your camera can see a lot more light than the human eye and you will be amazed at the colours your camera will see even when it appears to be dark. Use a combination of a tripod, remote and long shutter speed for the greatest results.
If you would like some more information on the Landscape Masterclass please follow this link over to the Light Room.
Tommy Woodcock and Reckless
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It's through pictures that most of us absorb the greater world. I'm talking about the world outside of our everyday boundaries. Coffee table books are a great example of this. A beautifully bound, big glossy, tactile book of images of a distant dream destination perhaps or a compendium of historic images.
News papers, celebrity magazines, even the television news are all examples of picture delivery that we use to learn about the outside world.
Every now again an image sticks.
It's like... you see the image and a few years later you see it again. Then a bit further on in life, it appears again. And every time you see it, all those memories come trickling back and then those memories remind you of other memories and the trickle is soon a flood. Those images become icons.
This is one of those images. An Australian icon of an image. Tommy Woodcock with Reckless, Melbourne Cup eve 1977.
Hear the story behind the image, straight from the horses mouth, as it were, and many others.
Bruce Postle 'The Image Maker' at theLightRoom March 16th. Proudly presented by Nikon.
'THE IMAGE MAKER' Bruce Postle
I remember stuff - sometimes.I don't remember where I put my keys, I don't remember why I walked into the back room, I don't remember my PIN and I always come home from the supermarket without what I went there for.
But I do remember the long hot summers of my child hood, school swim meets and blue ribbons, my grade four teacher, Miss Campbell, and I remember the day one of my class mates was called out of class on October 15 1970. His Dad was crewing on the West Gate Bridge that fateful day. (His Dad was OK by the way.)
You see, I remember the big stuff.
I recently had the great pleasure of meeting Mr Bruce Postle, Australian Iconic Photojournalist and true gentleman. Bruce remembers a lot of things, but Bruce's life has been one great string of big events.
Bruce has recently compiled a book of big things. It's a book of images spanning his 50 year career in the field. It's a fascinating pictorial history of Modern Australia. For me, it's wander down the memory lane of front page news with all the markers along the way that point to my own life's memories.
But I do remember the long hot summers of my child hood, school swim meets and blue ribbons, my grade four teacher, Miss Campbell, and I remember the day one of my class mates was called out of class on October 15 1970. His Dad was crewing on the West Gate Bridge that fateful day. (His Dad was OK by the way.)
You see, I remember the big stuff.
I recently had the great pleasure of meeting Mr Bruce Postle, Australian Iconic Photojournalist and true gentleman. Bruce remembers a lot of things, but Bruce's life has been one great string of big events.
Bruce has recently compiled a book of big things. It's a book of images spanning his 50 year career in the field. It's a fascinating pictorial history of Modern Australia. For me, it's wander down the memory lane of front page news with all the markers along the way that point to my own life's memories.
Bruce graced us with his presence at theLightRoom, this past week, where, over a glass of red and a beer, Bruce had us enthralled as he revealed the stories behind some of his greatest images.
Bruce's book is now available at theLightRoom. 'The Image Maker' $165.
Images by Bruce Postle – www.brucepostle.com
There are more than 450 images in Bruces book 'The Image Maker', you'll know many of them. See a small sample here.
Put Your Camera Down: Enjoy Photography
We're going to let you in on a secret: photography isn't always about cameras. Sounds a little crazy but today's post is about enjoying - and getting involved with - your subject. Don't forget the feeling behind your artistic passions!
In the beginning a passion for photography can develop from simple pursuits: family, capturing memories, or recording adventure. Curiosity leads to discovering new techniques, mastering old ones, and before you know it you've progressed to the stand-in at weddings and celebrations! It's in this transitional period that technology and technique can sometimes weigh heavily on your mind and prevent you from photographing with feeling.
If you're photographing a group of people make sure to be involved in what they are doing first. Ask questions; talk about them and their interests. Make them comfortable first before raising the camera to your eye. People can often communicate using the eyes and tend to be more comfortable when they can read the facial expressions of others. If you have already built rapport before beginning to photograph it will be easier to direct them while the camera is covering your face. If it's just not working, don't be afraid to ditch the camera for a little while to get them to relax again.
Likewise when photographing in a new location, scout the area without a camera first. Take the time to walk around and get the feeling for where the activity happens; take note of how the light falls and pre-visualise some images ahead of picking up your camera.
If nothing else, photograph things you love, get caught up in the moment, and shoot like nobody's judging. Do it because you love it, not because you have to!
In the beginning a passion for photography can develop from simple pursuits: family, capturing memories, or recording adventure. Curiosity leads to discovering new techniques, mastering old ones, and before you know it you've progressed to the stand-in at weddings and celebrations! It's in this transitional period that technology and technique can sometimes weigh heavily on your mind and prevent you from photographing with feeling.
If you're photographing a group of people make sure to be involved in what they are doing first. Ask questions; talk about them and their interests. Make them comfortable first before raising the camera to your eye. People can often communicate using the eyes and tend to be more comfortable when they can read the facial expressions of others. If you have already built rapport before beginning to photograph it will be easier to direct them while the camera is covering your face. If it's just not working, don't be afraid to ditch the camera for a little while to get them to relax again.
Likewise when photographing in a new location, scout the area without a camera first. Take the time to walk around and get the feeling for where the activity happens; take note of how the light falls and pre-visualise some images ahead of picking up your camera.
If nothing else, photograph things you love, get caught up in the moment, and shoot like nobody's judging. Do it because you love it, not because you have to!
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