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Portrait Innovations

Whether you are an amateur or a pro, these pages on portrait innovations will have something to help you perfect your portrait shots.

Top Tips to Shoot Powerful Portraits

© Branislav Ostojic | Dreamstime.com

Portrait Photography Technique

The human form has always been regarded as a source of fascination. Portrait innovations are blooming as the technological means to capture people's portraits evolve, having made the most recent transitions from canvas to film, and then from film to digital.

When you master the basic portrait photography technique, you're on your way to master a distinct genre in its own right - in fact, portrait photography today is a sophisticated art.

What makes a Powerful Portrait?

'I don't know what the magic is... what makes someone open up. I do idealize people. I have to fall in love with everybody a little bit to take their picture.'
~ Matthew Rolston

Opinion is divided on what makes a powerful portrait. Some photographers still prefer the traditional style of portraiture, with soft lighting and focus for a beautiful, dream-like feel. Others opt for a much more edgy look, with bold colors and harsh, high-contrast lighting.

The portrait photography technique you choose is not as important as capturing a part of your model's personality. If you find a way to reveal what lies beneath the social mask we all wear in day-to-day life, you will succeed in making a powerful portrait.

Top Tip for Portrait Photography

Many photographers are challenged by backgrounds in portrait photography. However, playing with depth of field can make all the difference. Blur the background just enough so that it complements and enhances the features of your subject - used well it can create a fantasic contrast.

Take the Portrait Photography Tour

Portrait Photography Tips

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(Go to Portrait Photography Tips)

Here are the top ten portrait photography tips for capturing professional-looking portraits... more

Travel Portrait Tips

(Go to Travel Portrait Tips)

The best portraits communicate something about a person's personality and character... more

Portrait Poses

© Branislav Ostojic | Dreamstime.com

(Go to Portrait Poses)

Avoid the temptation of choosing mundane portrait poses that have been done a million times before. If you keep your wits about you and trust your own judgement, you can push boundaries by adopting a unique style that will make your portraits pop... more

Portrait Lighting

© Jose Antonio Sánchez Reyes | Dreamstime.com

(Go to Portrait Lighting)

Portrait lighting can make or break your photographs. The literal meaning of the word photography is ‘painting with light’. Placing the subject in beautiful light allows you to make their cheekbones stand out or their eyes look bigger – illuminating your model in an appealing way truly can bring the photo to life... more

Also see Portrait Photography: Tips for Using Window Lighting

Portrait Lighting Tutorial

© Constantin Opris | Dreamstime.com

(Go to Portrait Home Studio Lighting Tutorial)

It may appear challenging to shoot a professional looking portrait at home without a studio or specialist lighting, but it is in fact easier and cheaper to do than you might think... more

Portrait Backdrops

(Go to Portrait Backdrops)

Portrait backdrops present both opportunities and challenges to photographers. They can place a subject in context and make them stand out in a way that highlights them wonderfully – or overwhelm subjects and distract from them... more

Portrait Backgrounds

(Go to Portrait Backgrounds)

Portrait backgrounds have the power to make or break a photograph. Usually the golden rule, as in most things, is the simpler the better... more

* How to Set up your Camera for Portrait Photography

* Hand Photography

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Portrait Poses that work a Treat Not rated yet
When it comes to portrait posing, you have one super-important task... to make your subjects look as spectacular as possible.

The best way to succeed ...

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Reader Post: I have really enjoyed browsing this section on portrait innovations. One of the best tips on portrait photography that I have to offer is ...

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Read, reflect and be inspired. If you find something of value on my portrait innovations page, enjoy its gifts and please pass it on to your friends.

SBI!