Sunday, December 06, 2009

What Is Portrait Photography?

By Justine Miller

A portrait, also called a portraiture, is a picture that shows 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 through. 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 into the camera in a portrait picture.

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 select from.

History of Portrait Photography

Ever since the camera was invented people have been using portrait photography. It was, and is more inexpensive way then having your portrait painted and it is a more available method. People would sit against a background and were lit with natural light from a window. Portrait photography can now be more creative with the way technology has evolve since they can adjust light and move around more.

Styles

A professional photographer has complete control over the lighting when taking portrait pictures in a studio. They can change the intensity & the direction. Background lights, kicker lights, fill lights & the main lights are a few of the different lighting terms.

The most important light source is obviously called the main light. It is usually at a 45 degree angle of the subject but it can also be placed below or above 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 & to show the separation from the subject & the background. A Background light brightens the background & can add effects to the backdrops. - 2361

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