Portraiture Project

This week’s project is something for everyone: anyone with a camera and a (not necessarily) willing subject has everything it takes to do portrait photography – you don’t need expensive lighting equipment, backdrops and the like because portraiture is one of those areas of photography that can suit any pocket.

You don’t even need a flash to produce a wonderful portrait, and many pro photographers will tell you that natural light is the best light you can use, not only that but you don’t even need a sunny day, as light cloud coverage defuses and softens shadows like your own free soft box for your own free 3.846×1026 watt bulb (you can’t buy them at B&Q!!).

Should you be the proud owner of a camera with a flash unit, a well balanced flash toward your subject in sunlight can lift the shadows out of eyes and from under hats and the like. Alternatively, if you like the idea of using solar power alone for your lighting, a well placed reflector can produce a similar effect that is very pleasing on the eye, and many things can be used as reflectors, most basically a piece of white paper or card.

Should you happen to have an off camera flash then chances are most of this is old news to you but don’t let that put you off entering a pic or two! Let’s see what you can offer with your kit combo no matter how basic or elaborate, and that goes for the lucky ones with studio setups too! Show us what you can do!!

As far as backdrops go if you don’t have a studio setup, why not step outside and go down to a park or a building of interest to provide you with a ready made and free elaborate backdrop! Remember to keep it un cluttered though as not to draw the attention away from your subject. Should you want to do your portraiture inside why not place your subject against a light coloured wall or alternatively in front of a sheet draped over a wardrobe or similar.

Finally, and most importantly share your setup technique – when posting up a pic give us all of the details about the lighting setup - what lighting did you use, how was it positioned, how did you find the experience etc…

Good luck one and all!! Looking forward to seeing what you can do!!