Editor's Note: Last month we accompanied Monte to Sarasota, Florida, where he was making a new series of videotapes. Monte took us to the Ringling Museum and a local Greek Orthodox church to show us his methods of lighting outdoors. This...
I began by posing Danielle (Photo 1) slightly off-center, so that the lights above would not seem to be coming down into her head. I knew that to achieve detail in her gown I needed to turn her body away from the direction of light and then turn her...
I tried it. I liked it. I loved it and so did Kodak. They used this test photograph of mine recently in a 30/30 size to display the quality of their new Portra 800 film. It's also available in 35mm, 120 and 220 rolls.
It doesn't matter if your interest lies in women, men, or children, I'm going to tell you right now that not having a "big" camera is no longer an excuse for not getting...
If you still think of portraits in terms of main light, fill light, and key light, I think you're missing out on some fresh and exciting techniques. While the classic studio portrait is still practiced by lots of amateurs and practically every...
There is much more to black and white photography than simply an absence of color. Maybe we wouldn't feel this way if the first photographs had been made in full color, but that didn't happen and, like many photographers, I grew up admiring the...
At a glance, one might not think that there is a common denominator with these photographs. A closer look will reveal that lighting is the key. Each one has a very similar lighting pattern on their faces. This may be achieved by different means, but...
Some weddings take place in obviously gorgeous surroundings. But it's not always obvious how to take advantage of the settings. Also, it's not easy to get to those backgrounds at the time of day when the light is just right. You simply have to...
What I wouldn't have given for something like this when I was new to the business. Here's a quickie shot list of portraits that you can take the next time you're photographing a wedding.
I used a fixed-lens camera for many, many years--even after I'd become a professional photographer. Then, someone told me that I could never be a professional until I had a camera on which you could change lenses. I remember being glad that my...
So, what does a professional photographer do with his afternoon off? Take pictures. I'd never have believed it, myself, but going to our local art show in downtown Sarasota with a 35mm camera in hand allowed me to see more, possibly, than many of the...