Portrait Photography How To

Background removal used to be an arduous task requiring somewhat advanced editing skills. Thanks to recent developments in Photoshop, however, this task is now so easy that anyone can quickly get the job done.

During his 30 years as a photojournalist, PF Bentley has attained rare access to numerous political figures and sought-after news events. He's known for his skill for getting close to his subjects without intruding on the events he's recording. Of this special talent, Bentley simply remarks, "I can blend into any wall." He rarely uses strobe; instead, he...

One of the most important tasks when editing portrait photos is carefully adjusting the model's skin, so it looks as good as possible while retaining enough texture and other attributes for a realistic look. Typically, that means eliminating obvious blemishes and other imperfections like dry patches or oily spots.

How often have you captured what you thought was a great photo, only to view it on the computer and discover it’s not sharp? If you’re like the rest of us, the answer is “more than one or twice.”

Whether you shoot portraits, wildlife images, or cute photos of your beloved pets, the eyes are the most important element to get dialed with precision. Achieving accurate focus on the subject's iris when capturing an image goes a long way to achieving this goal. But there's much more you can do to accentuate the eyes during post processing.

Boudoir imagery is a unique subset of portraiture that's growing in popularity as more and more photographers learn how easy it is to pursue with the equipment they already own in the comfort of their home. There's no need for a decked-out studio or complex-and-expensive lighting gear if you understand how to take advantage of natural illumination streaming through a window.

Last week we featured a quick primer from the Patrick's Boudoir YouTube channel, demonstrating how inexperienced shooters can capture alluring high-contrast images with a minimum of fuss. Patrick is back again today, this time with a quick tutorial using a seductive kneeling couch pose illuminated by window light.