Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Portrait Photography - Learn Some More

By Nelson Tan

A portrait, also known as a portraiture, is a photo centering on a person or small groups facial expression while they are in a still position. This is to display the personality, mood and the likeness of the person or group. Portrait photography does not always have to have just the face in the picture, the whole body and background can be included as well. Generally the person or group will be looking strait at the camera during a portrait photo.

Portrait photography, unlike other styles uses unskilled models. Some examples of portrait photography are graduations, special events, and weddings and are usually displayed in private homes.

History of Portrait Photography

Ever since the camera was invented people have been using portrait photography. Having your portrait painted was expensive and not as available. People would sit against a background and were lit with natural light from a window. With technology evolving photographers have the ability to take pictures with less exposure time giving them more freedom to move around and create new styles of portrait photography.

Styles

A professional photographer has complete control over the lighting when taking portrait photographs in a studio. They can change the direction and the intensity. Different lighting terms are kicker lights, fill lights, background lights and the main light. The most important light source is obviously referred to the main light. It is usually at a 45 degree angle of the subject but it can also be positioned above or below as well. The main light can create shadows so the fill light helps to eliminate them. The kicker light is the light that brightens up the hair of a subject. This will help to add depth and to show the separation from the subject and the background. A Background light brightens the background and can add effects to the backdrops.

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