Portrait Photography How To

One of the most powerful yet frequently overlooked tools for outdoor portrait photography is an inexpensive, manual flash. This simple accessory is great for filling in shadows, compensating for backlit scenes, and adding extra punch to your images.

Those of you who follow our website know that Manny Ortiz is both an adept photo instructor and a very fine portrait photographer. Yet, according to Ortiz, knowledge, skill and practice is far more important that talent if you want to become a great photographer. 

If you’re a bit envious of the beautiful portraits made by pros with well-equipped studios, this tutorial is a must-see. That’s because in just six minutes you’ll learn how to make stunning portraits of your own, in a home studio with just one flash and a simple background.

This may be the first time we’ve invoked the laws of physics in a phography tutorial. But fear not, because the "Inverse Square Law" is a simple concept, at least as it pertains to photography, and it can have a big impact on your images.

We’re all familiar with the notion that lenses in the 85-105mm range are the best choices for portrait photography, supposedly because of the “natural” way they render a subject’s facial features. But in the video below, you’ll see why one pro prefers to use a longer telephoto zoom for portraiture. 

Here's a tutorial for photographers who’d like to try their hand at portraiture, but lack the specialized skills and expensive lighting equipment they think are necessary. As you’ll see in this video, all you really need for great results are the quick tips below and a large window.

Shutterbug photographer Jordan Matter is back with another photography how-to video, offering tips on getting the most out of your 50mm lens.