Environmental Portraits Photography Workshop (part 2)
A couple of weeks ago, Rick and I took a Saturday workshop on Environmental Portraiture offered by the Shaw Nature Reserve which is part of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Our terrific instructor was Mark Katzman. I posted some of Rick’s behind-the-scenes photos and a portrait he took of me last week: Environmental Portraits Photography Workshop.
This week, I’m posting some portraits while I relate some of what I learned.
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Rick. Shoot with a wide open aperture to get a narrow depth of field. The subject is in focus, particularly the eye, and the background is blurry.
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Ask the subject to do something, like take his off and put it back on. That can help capture an authentic expression.
Which did you like the best? Are these techniques you could use in your photography?
Thanks to West Metro Mommy Reads for continuing to host our Saturday Snapshot link-up. Check Melinda’s post today for more photographs around the web.
I think my favourite is the picture where he is touching his hat, as the smile looks most genuine and relaxed. Thanks for the tips.
The second photo of Rick is awesome!
Here is my snapshot post.
I like the idea of having the subject look to the side–it makes the photo look so “unposed”–even if it was!
They’re all good, but my favorite is of Rick touching his hat. He’s got a very happy face!
These are stunning Joy. Great tips too – I’ll keep them in mind next weekend for a family christening we’re going to
Oh, love them all…it is great to see the character in their faces…and I agree that having them do something, or look to the side, helps create a more relaxed shot.
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
I like them all!
Great photos, and great tips. I like the idea of getting the person to do something, it certainly worked with your shot.
GREAT tips — thank you so much for sharing!
I always try to shoot with a wide aperture, as I love the blurry background effect. And while I am impressed with all the pictures, I think I am drawn to the one where he is taking off his hat. I will definitely try to remember this tip as I am shooting family portraits this holiday.
I do like the smile from the middle but I especially like the blurred background on the side facing shot…even if it does make me dizzy if I try to focus on that!
These are great techniques. Not sure how I would do the first one but the other two I could do with my digital camera.
Thanks for sharing in your education!
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