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Recommendations for learning portrait photography?
Jeff Brehm, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Salisbury | NC | USA | Posted: 2:00 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> My "real job" employer (the one which pays the bills so I can afford to shoot sports) likes my PJ-style work so much that it now has asked me to also shoot a variety of business portraits next year. But I've never had any training in the art, and have very little portrait work in my career.
My employer will buy the gear and pay for the training. Any recommendations for good courses that can be done in a week or two on-site or from a distance via the web? |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 2:05 PM on 11.30.10 |
| ->> Like yeah, this is the post you want to show up when a future client Googles your name. Gonna be really reassuring when they see this. |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 2:12 PM on 11.30.10 |
| ->> Go to buisness web sites and look at the photos. go to the book store and look at portrait books. Do not spell like me. Get minimal gear and practice on friends. Do not pay attention to negative people. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 2:29 PM on 11.30.10 |
| ->> Remember "the eyes are the window to the soul"? It's true in photography. If you find a portrait that you like and can magnify the eyeballs enough you can very often see the lighting set-up reflected in the eyes. One light over here with a large softbox, another with an umbrella over there... |
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Jeff Brehm, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Salisbury | NC | USA | Posted: 2:34 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> Louis:
Thanks for the helpful advice. Keep looking -- there are a lot of threads on here from people asking for help in learning a skill where you can copy and paste that response.
David:
I would prefer to learn the way you suggest, but I need a little more intensive, faster regimen. |
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Lane Hickenbottom, Photographer
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Craig Mitchelldyer, Photographer, Assistant
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Portland | OR | USA | Posted: 2:43 PM on 11.30.10 |
| ->> Tell them to google: "Salisbury NC corporate photographer"...because that is said photographers "real job" and they do it everyday, you know, to make corporate portraits so they can eat and pay bills on the side. |
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Mike Huffstatler, Photographer, Assistant
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Rancho Cucamonga | Ca | United States | Posted: 2:45 PM on 11.30.10 |
| ->> Take a look at the Kelby Training online courses. There is a very good collection of videos. Some really good instructors and the videos that I've seen have been well done. It's like $200/year for full access. http://www.kelbytraining.com/ |
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Ric Tapia, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 3:02 PM on 11.30.10 |
| ->> Assist a portrait photographer. |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 3:04 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> Jeff,
My response is directed at them as well. When I am contacted by a photographer that is looking to shoot for me it is now part of my regular workflow to not only Google them but to search there name here on this board and others to get some insight as to who they are.
The web and google is just another tool to verify resumes and what experience folks claim to have. |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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Boise | ID | US | Posted: 3:21 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> Louis- Relax... He has informed the employer of it already.
Jeff-
Practice is the best thing you can do... Find people on model mayhem that you can trade time for CD. Get comfortable with being in control of a situation rather than just watching it unfold. Meet portrait photographers in your area and assist/trade knowledge with them. |
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Bruce Twitchell, Photographer
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 3:31 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> What Mike said. In particular, look at Joe McNally's videos. He does a complete series on shooting corporate portraits and teaches more than what f-stop to use. He discusses subject interactions, how to conduct yourself, etc. etc.
Also, let me recommend you take a look at http://www.timkellyportraits.com/ Tim Kelly, in Orlando, FL is uber-good. He also sells tutorials on shooting portraits.
Also, look at http://www.lbvphoto.com/ This is a guy in Fresno who is just knocking it DOWN! He's young, hip, very charismatic and the women LOVE him. His talent is good, but his real skill is connecting with his subjects. |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 3:36 PM on 11.30.10 |
| ->> your not getting the point... whatever. |
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Scott Evans, Photographer
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Bay Village | OH | USA | Posted: 3:39 PM on 11.30.10 |
| ->> Jeff, if you don't have much time to learn then my best advice would harken back to Jim's post...it's all about eyes. If you do nothing else well in the shot, make sure you are well lit and nail focus on the eyes. I'm by no means a portrait shooter but I have found that simply getting a single light off camera (or bounced if the situation allows...or both) and paying attention to the eyes can produce some very nice images. Another thing is that since I had little experience shooting corporate head shots, I've always felt that keeping my gear setup really simple helped me relax which, in turn, allowed the client to relax and produced a much better image. That's my two cents that doesn't require any real time to learn and that hasn't already been mentioned. Best of luck. |
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Curtis Clegg, Photographer
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Tim Clark, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Nashville | TN | USA | Posted: 4:53 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> Jeff,
see diagram below
****************** Backgroundbackground
************* ***** background light
***** Hair light
big white card ********** * subject
***************************** *** Big soft box full power
******************* ******** camera
************************ big soft box 1/2 power
I tend to agree with Craig. Hire a professional. There is a lot more to making a good portrait than you might think. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 9:06 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> WOW...once again there is so much negative energy here...not to mention those negative people who respond and don't know the difference between "there" and "their" and "your" and "you're."
It never ceases to amaze me when people come here for HELP and get slammed.
His employer likes him enough and feels confident enough to want HIM to do these portraits-that says something. Why hire someone who may be "better" but be a rude person? A rude photographer is going to make the person being photographed feel very uncomfortable.
I can't tell you how many clients I have who complain about the rude photographers they used to use. |
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Robert Seale, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 9:39 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> Louis,
Lighten up Francis.
Maybe your employer (or clients) can google your name and see that you don't know the difference between "their" and there", and "your" and "you're."
Have a nice day. |
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Todd Bennett, Photographer
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Morrisville | NC | USA | Posted: 9:58 PM on 11.30.10 |
| ->> Hey Jeff, Shoot me an email when you get a chance. |
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Jim Cowsert, Photographer
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Dallas | TX | USA | Posted: 10:40 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> Jeff,
Friday Photo School has some good lighting/instruction videos...some free others for a fee.
https://fridayphotoschool.com/dl/
Good Luck! |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 11:27 PM on 11.30.10 |
->> "A picture speaks a thousand words"
that's what I get for posting from my phone with the auto correct feature turned on. |
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Willie J. Allen Jr., Photographer
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St. Petersburg | FL | USA | Posted: 12:21 AM on 12.01.10 |
->> Jeff, I second Robert’s post! Attend a SportShooter Academy workshop. It is taught by some of the best minds in our business in live intense scenarios where you’re given hands on training. I attended two of the lighting breakout sessions. We were taught how to use flash to light a basic portrait. (Which I now use daily) The second was a larger production using studio lighting equipment on location with Matt Brown.
Since you also enjoy shooting sports this will give you a chance to photograph live sports at several different venues. It was a great experience and I don’t think you can beat the value for the money spent on the workshop.
The atmosphere was friendly, upbeat, creative and supportive.
williejallenjr.com |
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Jim Comeau, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 1:13 AM on 12.01.10 |
| ->> Maybe what you're looking for are environmental portraits. Make a scene that you'd like for a "landscape" and then pop a person into it. If you get the geometry right without a person, then it usually works no matter who the subject is. Make a scene, then drop the person in. That always worked for me. |
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Mark J. Terrill, Photographer
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Simi Valley | CA | USA | Posted: 2:28 AM on 12.01.10 |
->> Jeff,
If you or anyone else here want some basic to advanced lighting and portrait tips, watch my brother's videos here on SportsShooter. http://www.sportsshooter.com/special_feature/2003_luau_video/5_min_light/in... There is some very valuable and helpful information here. Joey is someone who has forgotten more about photography than I will ever know.
Mark |
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Greg Foster, Photographer
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Atlanta | GA | | Posted: 9:01 AM on 12.01.10 |
| ->> Jeff, to answer your question about an on-site course, if you could make it down to the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar this Friday, there is a lighting workshop by Zach Arias that I believe focuses on using simple, basic equipment and techniques, and might be a good starting point for you. |
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Wally Nell, Photographer
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CAIRO | EG | EGYPT | Posted: 9:57 AM on 12.01.10 |
->> If all else fails, i.e. you don't have time to go to a workshop or two, do what I did the first time I had to shoot with lighting. I hired an assistant who knew a lot about lighting. I explained to him that I had never worked with lighting before, and had him understand that I would rely on him for the technical stuff.
This was in the mid-90s, and yes I missed some shots due to not being able to chimp, but most of the images were fine. I would imagine with the power of chimping right now, you would be able to see what you are getting and adjust right away if needed.
Failing that, I run some courses here in Cairo, Egypt... |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 5:31 PM on 12.01.10 |
->> Look, I admit my initial response was quite sarcastic, but I was not trying to be negative.
I was only trying to say that posting on the web that one has no experience or training and is looking to learn online, is something that is going to be out there for everyone to read for quite sometime and could affect a future clients decision on whether to use your services.
I have read many posts on this board in the past that are very similar to this original question.
One that comes to mind was,
" I have been credentialed to cover a WNBA game for a publication and I have never covered a basketball game at any level before, any tips or info is appreciated."
Every time this particular name comes across my desk, I recall that post and that was years ago.
Again not wanting to be negative.
Lots of great links out there for training.
Happy Holidays everyone. |
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Mike Anzaldi, Photographer
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Oak Park | IL | USA | Posted: 6:43 PM on 12.01.10 |
->> cool thread.
thanks to those that have posted links. good stuff.
"Every time this particular name comes across my desk, I recall that post and that was years ago."
louis, you've been slapped around enough for your initial post, but i might add that maybe you need to turn to the next chapter when that particular name comes across your desk. i keep reading about this wedding snapper- jasmine star. sounds like this gal picked up a camera for the first time just a couple of years ago. in the time it took my first born to learn to walk, she's become one of the world's go-to photographers for weddings. never used a camera.
12 months is a long time in this business. 2 years is a mature career for some. frustrating, isn't it? |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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