What Is Portrait Photography?

A portraiture, simply known as a portrait, is a photo that shows a person or small group’s facial expression while they are in a still position. The personality, moods & likeness of the person or persons come out. Portrait photography doesn’t always have to be just a face within a photo; the entire body and the background can be included also. When taking a portrait photograph the person or group is usually looking straight into the lens.

Portrait photography, unlike other styles makes use of non-professional models. Some examples of portrait photography are graduations, special events, & weddings and are usually displayed in private homes. Numerous are done on studio with several settings to select from.

History of Portrait Photography

People have been using portrait photography ever since the camera was invented. It was, and is more inexpensive way then having your portrait painted & it is a more available method. Natural light was used from an open window and people would sit against the background. With technology evolving photographers have the power to take pictures with less exposure time giving them more freedom to move around & create new styles of portrait photography.

Methods Of Light

Portrait photos can be done in a studio where the photographer can adjust the light when capturing portraits. They can change the direction & the intensity. Fill lights, background lights, kicker lights & the main lights are a few of the several lighting terms.

The most important source of light is obviously referred to 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 main light can create shadows so the fill light helps to eliminate them. The kicker light is the light that brightens up the hair of a subject. This will help to add depth and to show the separation from the subject & the background. To add effects to the backdrops the background light is used to brighten up the background.

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