Portraiture Unleashed

We are fortunate to live in a magical time in the constantly evolving field of photography. Absolutely anything is possible with a quality camera and photo-editing software. While new digital technologies make the creative process unlimited, it also means that we as photographers must continually push to be the very best at what we do. Cameras are affordable to the masses, and our key to real success in the portrait photography industry lies in our creativity and style rather than our equipment and gear. In this book, author Travis Gadsby presents a sublime collection of 60 creativity-inspiring images from a range of talented photographers whose styles and photographic techniques vary markedly. The book is divided into five sections, each of which is centered around a particular creativity-enhancing topic: (1) Quick and Easy: Ideas That Can Be Added on the Fly, (2) Location-Inspired Ideas, (3) Wardrobe-Inspired Ideas, (4) Prop-Inspired Ideas, and (5) Creative Lighting Treatments. Within each section, you’ll find a sumptuous variety of looks (ever considered photographing your subjects underwater, creating sparks with steel wool, recording the movement of a dancer whose body is dusted with flour, or creating steampunk portraits?). You’ll also discover how the portrait concept came to light and will get insight into the strategies the photographer used to pose, light, and style the portrait to perfection. In modern portraiture, it’s sometimes creative postproduction work that makes the image sing. Gadsby shines a light on some terrific image-editing work discussing the tools and techniques used to create the final portrait. With the wide range of creative portraits and specialized applications depicted in this book, you’ll find lots of great ideas to expand your photographic repertoire, reinvent your style, and stay at the top of your game.

We are fortunate to live in a magical time in the constantly evolving field of photography. Absolutely anything is possible with a quality camera and photo-editing software. While new digital technologies make the creative process unlimited, it also means that we as photographers must continually push to be the very best at what we do. Cameras are affordable to the masses, and our key to real success in the portrait photography industry lies in our creativity and style rather than our equipment and gear. In this book, author Travis Gadsby presents a sublime collection of 60 creativity-inspiring images from a range of talented photographers whose styles and photographic techniques vary markedly. The book is divided into five sections, each of which is centered around a particular creativity-enhancing topic: (1) Quick and Easy: Ideas That Can Be Added on the Fly, (2) Location-Inspired Ideas, (3) Wardrobe-Inspired Ideas, (4) Prop-Inspired Ideas, and (5) Creative Lighting Treatments. Within each section, you’ll find a sumptuous variety of looks (ever considered photographing your subjects underwater, creating sparks with steel wool, recording the movement of a dancer whose body is dusted with flour, or creating steampunk portraits?). You’ll also discover how the portrait concept came to light and will get insight into the strategies the photographer used to pose, light, and style the portrait to perfection. In modern portraiture, it’s sometimes creative postproduction work that makes the image sing. Gadsby shines a light on some terrific image-editing work discussing the tools and techniques used to create the final portrait. With the wide range of creative portraits and specialized applications depicted in this book, you’ll find lots of great ideas to expand your photographic repertoire, reinvent your style, and stay at the top of your game.

Published in 2017 in Great Britain by National Portrait Gallery Publications, London.

Sikh weddings are vibrant, ritual-steeped events that can stretch on for days. Each wedding is unique and unforgettable. Photographing them is a joy and a challenge: there are countless facets to photograph — and many moments seeped in meaning and tradition. Documenting can’t-miss moments as they unfold requires a comprehensive understanding of the elements of the wedding, from start to finish. Sohal teaches readers the ins and outs of photographing the Sikh wedding. He offers general guidelines — greetings to use with men versus those to use with women — and moves on to share some pointers regarding general expectations the family will have of the photographer (e.g., never refuse food — that would be impolite; expect to take far more family photos than you may be accustomed to). Next, he describes the major events of the wedding and explains the significance of each. With easy to digest text and gorgeous illustrations, this book is not to be missed.

Wedding photographers are under tremendous pressure to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments—from the bride’s preparations, to the ceremony, to the reception and the exit. They are forced to shoot in low light in every wedding—whether in poorly lit ceremony and reception venues or, later in the day, when the peak lighting has faded. This presents myriad problems and obstacles to achieving beautiful, artfully executed images of the events of the wedding day. In this book, popular photoeducator Brett Florens and contributors provide digital photo techniques and lighting solutions—from reflectors, to LED lights, to flash—that will help you ensure that no important image is lost to poor light or exposure concerns. From choosing and using the best camera settings to scouting locations with interesting, workable light, to creating gorgeous artistic effects, this book provides the skills you need to get THE shot at every stage of the wedding and in any locale.

ING_13 Biographical note

Anyone who has photographed children knows: kids don’t really do posing. But, as the photographer, it’s your job and your responsibility to deliver lasting, impactful images in which kids look great. More importantly, the goal is to create photographs of kids that are authentic, engage their spirit, and convey their unique personalities.

So how do you get beyond the “cheese” smile? How do you harness the wild energy of a kid who won’t stop moving? How do you create energy and dynamism with a kid who just seems…bored and not into it? How do you do all that and achieve a compelling composition with flattering light and the proper exposure?

Tamara Lackey has been photographing children and families for years, and in The Posing Playbook for Photographing Kids, she teaches you her strategies and techniques for successfully posing and photographing children. The book begins with a discussion of “organic posing,” an approach to directing the subject that focuses on making small adjustments that build up to a successful shot. Tamara moves on to the psychology of photographing children, covering how to read your subjects, work with different personality types, and elicit genuine engagement. She also discusses gear, accessories, composition, lighting, and camera settings.

Then, in five chapters that are the real core of the book, Tamara tackles typical shooting scenarios and works through each kind of shoot, explaining what worked, what didn’t, and how each shoot progresses from start to finish. Covering the real-world challenges you’ll face when photographing children, Tamara discusses photographing children in the studio, in urban settings, on commercial and fashion shoots, in outdoor natural settings, and in groups. At the end of each of these chapters, she provides a handy reference guide of poses to fuel and inspire your shoots.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1: Organic Posing
Chapter 2: The Psychology Behind Photographing Children
Chapter 3: Gear and Accessories
Chapter 4: Framing, Lighting, and Settings
Chapter 5: What to Keep in Mind When Finalizing a Shot
Chapter 6: In Studio
Chapter 7: Urban Settings
Chapter 8: Commercial and Fashion Shoots
Chapter 9: Outdoor Natural Settings
Chapter 10: Posing Children Together