Friday, 18 December 2009

Portrait Photography: Basic Info

By Jerry Miller

A portraiture, simply known as a portrait, is a photograph focusing on a person or small group's facial expression while they are in a still position. The personality, moods and likeness of the person or persons emerge out. Aside from the face, portrait photography can also include the whole body & the background of the subject. The person or group is usually looking straight at the camera in a portrait photo.

Non-professional models are used for portrait photography, unlike other styles of the art. Graduations, special events and weddings are types of occasions where portrait photography is used, and later displayed in private homes. Numerous are done on studio with several backgrounds to choose from.

A Bit of History

People have been using portrait photography ever since the invention of the camera. Having your portrait painted was expensive and not as available. Natural light was used from an open window and people would sit against the background. Portrait photography can now be more creative with the way technology has evolve since they can adjust light & move around more.

Portrait Photography Trends

A professional photographer has complete control over the lighting when taking portrait photographs in a studio. They can change the direction & the intensity. Kicker lights, fill lights, background lights & the main lights are a few of the various lighting terms.

The most important source of light 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 fill light is used to help eliminate shadows that are created by the main light. 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. To add effects to the backdrops the background light is used to brighten up the background.

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