Common Mistakes in Headshot Photography

Common Mistakes in Headshot Photography

Headshot Photography is one of the most in demand types of photography since the old times. May it be for corporate, entertainment or modeling industry; you can never go wrong with a good headshot. Sure some can say that a simple headshot can be easy because you won’t need to worry about background, climate or other factors for full body or scenic photographs but that’s not true. In fact, since you’re working on a more specific canvas, you’ll need to be more meticulous. Here are common mistakes in headshot photography:

Lenses

One of the most frequent mistakes is picking up the wrong lenses. Make sure that you are using the correct lens for your headshot. You don’t want to sacrifice the quality of your image, may it be for business or for your hobby. Invest on good lenses , as long as you know what you’re using them for. Anything 85 mm or above will do for headshot photography because this is equivalent to using a 50 mm lens on a 1.6x crop body. One of the recommended lenses is the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, the built in Image Stabilization (IS) adds to its appeal for a more focus shot. Before choosing the best lens, make sure to visit threads and forums. Ask experts for their opinion and select carefully.

Focus

Don’t just focus on the face as is. That’ll be a dull headshot. Some may think that the only focus of headshot photography is the head itself but there’s more to that. For great headshots, make sure to get the focus on the eyes because that’s one of the most important aspects of headshots. This type of photography is more direct since the photograph targets the face of the person; you’ll need to be able to capture the intensity, emotion, depth and beauty of the eyes so it can stand out.

Lighting

Some photographers focus on brighter lights to be able to get that clear shot but for headshot photography, it’s advisable to use diffused lighting because you want show the natural skin tone of the face as well as the balance light and reflection. Also make sure that you have the correct hair light because the wrong one can damage your shot.

Angle

Be careful on choosing your angle because it can make a huge difference on your photos. Some angels can make your face look bigger, longer or even unproportional. Choose the correct angle by accentuating the eyes, lips and smile. For men, capture the masculinity of the face but the depth in the eyes.

Expression

It’s important for the photographer to know how to bring out the emotion or the expression that he wants to see. Don’t use too much technical terms as to why your subject needs to do this or that, you don’t want to get a confused reaction do you? Try different techniques to be able to bring out the best natural look possible or any emotion that you want. Give examples or ask questions.

Rapport

Most of us tend to forget how important it is to build your connection with your subject. To get the best photographs, your subject must feel at ease with you. If not, the picture will look stiff and unnatural. If your subject becomes too conscious, you won’t get that perfect picture. As a photographer, you’ll also need great communication skills to immediately connect with your subject.

Headshot Photography is not easy, rather it’s much more complicated and will still need scrupulous methods. These common mistakes are also the most important factors that one can consider in headshot photography. Patience is also needed especially if you’re just starting. With these pointers, you’ll be able to make it happen.

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5 Beginner Photography Tips On Taking Great Photos

5 Beginner Photography Tips On Taking Great Photos

Photographs can last a life time. This is the reason why cameras never go out of style; rather they just improve in settings and functions to aid people in capturing moments, emotions, and even history. But despite the growing number of photography enthusiasts, not a lot is eligible to take and produce a photo that can elicit a “Wow! That is magnificent” or “That is incredible” response. And though many beginner photography tutorials are already available teaching different photography techniques, photography types, camera modes and so on, many beginning photographers continue to fail in taking wonderful pictures.

Understand the Concept of Composition

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that a good photograph is well composed. And composition is about everything that makes up the entire picture. Frame your scene before pressing the shutter of your camera. Check the placement of your subject. While centering the subject is fine in certain occasions, a good photograph would often have the subject off center, which adds more intensity to your photograph. Also, look for shapes, patterns, and lines as they can make good visual image.

Pay Attention to Exposure 

Another beginner photography tip to create a good photograph is to learn how exposure affects your images. Ever noticed why some pictures appear too dark or too washed out? Exposure is the measuring and balancing of light. And a poorly exposed image equates to being forgettable. Take control of your camera by learning and adjusting the shutter, aperture, or film speed. 

Capture Viewers’ Emotion

Learning beginner photography is fun because it allows you to capture different emotions of a given subject. However, a good photograph must also stir up the viewer’s emotion. So, whether you are up to take a picture of an elderly couple at a park or a starving child in a remote community, think what feelings you aim to evoke. How do you want your viewers to feel when they see your photographs? How intense is the emotion you want to stir up? Determine the feeling you want to affect rather than just shooting what you think is beautiful for you.

Convey A Story Through the Images 

Whether you are using a point and shoot camera or a DSRL, a good photograph always tell a story. Just consider the photograph of high-profiled individuals on the front cover or inside pages of TIME magazine, Reader’s Digest, or Forbes. An image of the person tells “who” the person is and “what” influence or power s/he has for his/her people. Additionally, a photograph of a place inundated by a hurricane tells a story of the calamity that left people at the edge of their lives. Photojournalism gives plenty of this kind and the story that each of the photograph tells sways the viewer’s feelings. 

Say Something About Life

There are too many things that happen in life, and whether you are only taking beginner photography or already in advanced photography, life is going to become an integral part of your subject. And a good photograph must say something about life and not just the action it creates. Show more than just the subject. An image of a marathon Olympics will surely look good in digital prints; likewise, a good angle lets you tell about life challenges and winning it. Additionally, a good image of sunrise can tell a new beginning or something more defined meaning for other viewers.
Photography is an art. The ability to capture and create a good photograph entails learning and experimentation. However, when people enroll for beginner photography courses they commonly associate good photographs with an expensive camera. On the contrary, a good photograph is produced with the elements listed above even before the photographer buys a premium camera brand.

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Photography Gear Essentials for Beginning DSLR Photographers

Photography Gear Essentials for Beginning DSLR Photographers

Joining the bandwagon of beginning photography can be both exciting and overwhelming. First of all, choosing the right camera is in itself already tedious enough because you have to compare features and prices until you find what suits your purpose and budget. And then there’s the leveraging for the camera’s accessories that you needed whether you’re just a hobbyist or rooting for a future profession out of photography. But while you’re still a novice it doesn’t necessarily mean having to purchase half a dozen camera lenses and getting the newest top of the line camera equipment. Because the truth is, what you really need for now are just a few photography gear essentials to keep you going.

A Functional Camera Bag

Photography is not a cheap hobby or profession. The camera and the rest of the accessories you will be purchasing can get quite expensive and having a functional camera bag is naturally the most basic photography gear you should have—after the DSLR—to protect your investments. Lowepro, Kata, and Tenba have some of the great amateur photographer bags. Look for a bag that won’t only accommodate your camera and a few extra charger and batteries; rather, get a bag that has additional room for other useful camera accessories you might buy should you be ready for an upgrade.

Extra Batteries

Extra batteries are indispensable photography gear especially when travelling with your DSLR. In most cases when you’re already too engrossed with taking pictures, the last thing you’d want to worry about is running out of battery and not finding any nearest electrical outlet to re-charge it. So, don’t miss that precious scenery and capturing moments just because your camera’s battery indicator is furiously blinking its last straw at you.

Spare Memory Cards

Just like a camera battery you don’t want to rely with just one memory card and run out of spaces for your photographs in the middle of your shooting session. As an amateur photographer, one thing you would need to learn early is to be always prepared so you can enjoy every minute of taking photos.

A Sturdy Tripod

A tripod is a very common photography gear not just among amateur photographers, but even among professional ones. The use of tripod is best when taking nature shots, portrait or macro-photography. It is also advisable for long exposure shots, slow shutter speeds or low light situations. The price of a good tripod can range between $200 and higher. Gitzo and Manfrotto have several of the most quality tripods for digital SLRs.

Remote Shutter Release

You must have experienced having to re-set the timer of a camera when taking pictures and can be bothersome at one point or another. Having a remote shutter release allows a photographer to manipulate the camera and take pictures from a distance. Whether you want to be in the shot or just the one giving directions, having this photography gear can help you take great photos without needing to deal with shaky incidents that can blur the image.
There are several other photography gear essentials you may find yourself investing into as you become more skilled in photography. Nonetheless, a high price does not always mean an excellent result. Understanding how your camera works, how exposure and composition can make a photograph stand out, and making your accessories work to your advantage to create great pictures are all vital elements to thrive in the industry.

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3 Important Portrait Photography Basics You Need To Know

3 Important Portrait Photography Basics You Need To Know

Portrait or portraiture is one of the most interesting genres of photography. When taken properly, it can dramatically deliver the mood, personality, character, story, and essence of the subject—normally, a person. But more than having an expensive DSLR and a stunning subject, some portrait photography basics have to be learned in order to create a smashing portrait that produces the intended result.

Check Your Camera Settings and Choose the Right Lens

One important portrait photography basics that is often misunderstood particularly by beginning photographers is their camera settings. How you adjust your camera settings greatly affects the outcome of your portrait. If you’re aiming for classic portrait photography, you have to remove anything that’s distracting from the background of the shot. Use wide apertures to produce a shallow depth-of-
field— f/2.8 or f/4. Moreover, lower your ISO settings; otherwise, it can create digital noise on your photograph.
On the other hand, choosing a lens that would flatter your subject is more important than buying every top of the line camera lens in the market today. The rule of thumb for head and shoulder portraits is that the length of your lens should be double the diagonal of the film plane or in the case these days the digital sensor. Among the recommended lens for portrait photography are Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L
IS II USM, Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro Lens, and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens.

Lighting

When it comes to photography basics, lighting is largely emphasized. This is because, no matter how striking your subject is, your prop, and even your location, a poor lighting can destroy the message you want to convey in your photograph. Unlike doing portrait photography in a studio where lighting can be 100% controlled, outdoor location demands a more challenging task. Sunlight will practically become
your major source of light in your portrait, and therefore, you should understand how to use it properly. That means, knowing where to position your subject without going against the light and bringing with you some white cardboard or aluminum sheet you can use to bounce reflected light.

Make Your Subject Relaxed

Engaging your subject in a conversation is one way to make him/her feel relaxed. Sadly, even the most professional model can get fidgety in front of a photo shoot especially if they are uncomfortable with the photographer taking their pictures or with the prop they have on themselves. Find a way to develop a good rapport with your subjects to make them feel at ease and become more open with your
suggestions. Interacting with your subject is an important photography basics tip you would get not only from many photography books but also from the more seasoned photographers.
Portrait photography can reveal a series of emotions to a viewer. As the industry continues to advanced, you will be learning a lot more photography basics that will help you capture the intended expression and message you want to convey. Learn to explore with different angles. Alter your perspectives, and play with the backgrounds so you can go beyond the common styles of portrait photography and produce finer images

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Online Photography Course: Things You Need To Know Before You Enroll

Online Photography Course: Things You Need To Know Before You Enroll

So, you want to learn photography and are willing to invest time and money for courses that will teach you become a better photographer. The only sad truth is, you just can’t find the time to attend a physical classroom, and now, you’re wondering whether taking an online photography course is as worthy as going to and from an actual class.
With the increasing interest in photography, relying on an online photography course is no longer new in the industry. Many people are now taking advantage of the Internet as a convenient venue to learn specific courses without the required attendance to a physical classroom. However, before you decide to enroll to any online photography course yourself, make sure you’ve done your research well, so you don’t end up waste your time and money learning nothing.

Know What You Want To Learn

Have you taken photographs in the past using a DSLR? How familiar are you at this point when it comes to using a DSLR? Can you differentiate composition to exposure? Assessing yourself and your experience is a good way to determine which online photography course is right for you. Whether you want to learn how to take great images or how to make money through photography, take your time in identifying your purpose and consider the areas you want to improve.

Sign Up With Legitimate Online Courses Only

Unfortunately, there are already scam courses online promising to teach people everything they need to know about photography. If you are not careful, you are risking your money without getting anything in return. Do your research by reading photography-related forums and other community-based reviews. Other photography enthusiasts should be able to give you helpful guides and point you in the right direction. Proudphotography.com is one of the legitimate websites that offers online photography course to beginners, intermediate, and advanced level photographers.

Ask About The Coverage Of The Course

Do take the time to contact the facilitators of the company that offers the online photography course and ask the expected coverage. Know the details that will be tackled and whether you’d be given any certificate upon completion of the course. Additionally, know whether there are any pre-requisite courses you need to take before you can enroll with the one that interests you.
Enrolling for an online photography course will certainly allow you to learn a lot about photography. Just make sure to check the legitimacy of the courses offered and the company offering them before you take the plunge. In addition, do not feel obliged in getting the most expensive camera and lenses at a time when you are still learning the essentials of photography.

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Top Photography Terms For Beginning Photographers

Top Photography Terms For Beginning Photographers

Learning photography is never complete without understanding the most basic photography terms such as: ISO, aperture, shutter speed, depth of field, and so on. In fact, these photography terms are perhaps the first things that you are expected to learn before you explore the different techniques and genres of photography. Unfortunately, many beginning photographers and hobbyists of today are more interested in buying the latest DSLR and camera lens than understanding the definition of photography terms that affects a photograph.
Below are some of the terminologies that every beginning photographer needs to know. The way they are applied can either make or break the story or emotion a photographer is trying to capture and convey to his/her viewers.

APERTURE

This is also commonly known as an F stop. It simply pertains to the amount of light being let in through the lens. The size of an F stop affects the portion of a scene that appears in focus in the image. In practice, the lower the number the larger the aperture. An aperture opening of f1.4 enables a high shutter speed and not much in focus. On the other hand, an aperture opening of f2.8 enables almost as high shutter speeds and yields more focus, which is normally great for portraits.

SHUTTER SPEED

Just like aperture, this is one of the photography terms you’d be dealing a lot with from the moment you start learning about photography up to the time you move forward to the advanced stage.  Shutter speed refers to the exposure time a camera’s shutter is open. Ever wonder why some of the photographs you’re taking is more exposed than the rest? The shutter speed works in conjunction with the aperture in terms of controlling the total amount of light reaching the sensor of your camera. The longer your shutter speed is open, the more light it lets into the camera and the more your images become exposed.

ISO

ISO or Internal Organization for Standardization is a numerical rating that describes the sensitivity of a film to light. Using higher ISO makes your camera more sensitive to the light and results to a grainier images. On the other hand, the lower your ISO the less grainier the images will be. An ISO 100 is normally great for day light use, whereas, ISO 400 is good for twilight use.

FOCUS

In DSLR, focus literally refers to what can be clearly and sharply seen in the depth of field. There are different types of focus mode such as: macro; infinity; normal; auto focusing; manual focusing; single focus; and continuous focus, to name a few.

FLASH

This is the burst of light that comes from the camera when a picture is taken. Fill flash and red eye flash are two different types of flash you’d be using in your camera.
Again, these are just some of the commonly-used photography terms you’d be encountering in the industry. Whether you’re doing photography to earn a living or to fulfill a hobby, it’s imperative to know how these terminologies apply so that you can produce better photographs.

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