DIY Network

Outdoor Portrait Photography: Picking a Good Location From "The Whole Picture" episode DTWP-101

Lighting and location are among the most important factors when shooting outdoor portrait photography. These are particularly critical when using a digital camera.

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Without the right light, it's difficult to take a good digital picture -- especially outdoors. Too much sun will wash your subjects out, and not enough will leave them looking "in the dark." Getting the sunshine to cooperate is a challenge of outdoor photography. In this episode of DIY's The Whole Picture, viewers learn how to control the light that mother nature provides, and how to enhance the light for better pictures.

Materials used in this episode:

Digital camera
Tripod
Reflector boards
Wax paper

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How do you take an outdoor portrait that's both natural and captivating? In this episode, professional photographer Erin Manning shows you how. First, she explains how to find the best lighting situation when outdoors. Second, she shows how to manipulate the available light by using reflectors. Next, she explains how to use the fill flash function on digital cameras to further illuminate a subject. Lastly, Erin brings the student back to her studio and shows him how to manipulate the lighting in a digital photograph using photo editing software to make a professional looking picture.

Film vs. Digital

If you've taken digital photographs, you may have noticed that prints made from your digital pictures may have a different look from regular film-photography prints. Digital prints may turn out contrast-heavy, with dramatic differences between light and dark areas. Shadows can appear harsh, lit areas can be overexposed and mid-tone areas can look flat (figures A and B ). Part of this is because most digital cameras don't have the ability to capture the wide range of tone that film cameras can. Those tonal ranges are what give film-based photos their beautiful depth and detail. This becomes especially apparent in taking pictures of people outdoors.

Figure A

Figure B

The range and intensity of sunlight can make it difficult for the computerized sensor in a digital camera to accurately translate the information into a digital image. Digital photo technology is constantly improving, but for the best results in outdoor digital photography, you may need to manipulate the light in controlled ways to achieve more pleasing results.

Photo-Speak: In portraiture, the sparkle in the eyes of a subject is called catch light. This subtle but important detail is highly desirable in portrait photography since it helps make the subject seem "more alive." You can vary the results in the catch-light of your photographs by paying close attention to, and manipulating, the available light.

Following are some more tips and techniques for achieving better results in digital photography.

	Location is key so try walking around before deciding on a final spot.
	Look for a space with a good of shade and sun.

Location, Location, Location

• When dealing with natural light, picking the correct location is key. Direct sunlight will cast harsh shadows and high contrast, while shaded areas will produce a more even lighting.

• If the subject is heavily backlit, the face and features may appear too dark. Also, pointing your camera in the direction may cause lens flares -- those familiar "spots" that can appear on photos from light shining directly on the lens.

• When choosing a location for your outdoor portrait, it's a good idea to walk around and look at the amount of available light in each area. You definitely want the best looking scenery, but sometimes there's either too much light, or not enough, to really capture a well-exposed image. Just don't force it, in the long run you'll take better pictures.

• Try to find a spot where your subject will be comfortable. Direct sunlight may cause the subject squint from the glare. A comfortable place to stand or sit in a relaxed manner will make your subject appear more natural.

• If you're really set on a certain spot, you can also wait for the weather conditions to change or for a cloud to pass overhead, giving you enough cover to grab a shot or two.

• Remember, heavily shaded areas will make your subject darker and less appealing, while places with full sun can create harsh shadows and easily over expose a person.

• Look for spaces with a good mix of shade and sun, usually under a set of trees or up against the house. These spots will give you a wider distribution of light to help illuminate your subject evenly.
  
  
  

  RESOURCES :
  

  PC Photo magazine
  Website: www.pcphotomag.com
  Online version of the magazine devoted to digital photography and related technologies.
  

  The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography
  Model: 002864235X
  Author: Steven Greenberg
  Order this book from Amazon.com.
  Prentice Hall
  Paramus, NJ 07652
  

  Digital Photography For Dummies
  Model: 0764506463
  Author: Julie Adair King
  Order this book from Amazon.com.
  Hungry Minds, Inc.
  

  Complete Digital Photography
  Model: 1584500077
  Author: Ben Long
  Order this book from Amazon.com.
  Charles River Media
  Website: www.charlesriver.com/
  

  50 Fast Digital Photo Techniques
  Model: 0764535781
  Author: Gregory Georges, Cris Rys
  To order this title from Amazon, click here.
  Hungry Minds, Inc.
  

  RELATED PROJECTS: Digital Photography Primer Digital Photography: Controlling Exposure Digital Photography: Printing Your Digital Photos Digital Photography: Transferring Images to Your Computer

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Outdoor Portrait Photography: Picking a Good Location
  	Outdoor Portrait Photography: Using Reflector Boards
  	Outdoor Portrait Photography: Flash and Zoom
  	Outdoor Portrait Photography: Photo-Editing Software