5 Easy Concepts for Great Portraits in Any Park

Summary

In this video, the host demonstrates five basic portrait photography concepts using two Tamron lenses: 28-75mm and 70-180mm, paired with a Sony a7r4 camera. They explore techniques like backlit shots with foliage, using a reflector for additional light, open shade for soft lighting, shooting through grass for a compressed effect, and positioning subjects against bright background openings. Each technique is explained with practical examples, showcasing how to enhance portraits in any park setting.

Takeaways

• 📸 Use backlit scenes with foliage to create depth and separation in portraits.
• 🌞 Position subjects to capture backlighting and hair light for a more dynamic look.
• 🔧 Adjust camera settings like shutter speed and ISO to achieve the desired exposure in different lighting conditions.
• 🖼️ Frame the subject against bright spots in the background to make them stand out.
• 🤳 Utilize different focal lengths to control the level of background compression and subject framing.
• 💡 Employ a reflector to add fill light and improve the quality of light on the subject's face.
• 🌳 Take advantage of open shade provided by trees to achieve soft, even lighting on the subject.
• 🌿 Shoot through foreground elements like grass to add depth and lead the viewer's eye to the subject.
• 👯‍♀️ Incorporate the subject's interests or talents, such as dance, to create unique and engaging portraits.
• 📹 Experiment with different angles and perspectives to add variety and interest to the final shots.

Q & A

What are the five basic portrait concepts demonstrated in the video?

The video demonstrates five portrait concepts: back lighting with foliage, using a reflector to add light, shooting in open shade, shooting through grass to compress the scene, and shooting into a brighter part of the background.

Which two Tamron lenses were used in the video for portrait photography?

The two Tamron lenses used in the video are the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom lens and the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 telephoto lens.

What is the significance of using a backlit scene with foliage in portrait photography?

Using a backlit scene with foliage helps create depth and separation in the portrait, enhancing the subject by isolating them against the background with a beautiful backlight effect.

How does the reflector technique, or 'reflector bump', improve the lighting in a portrait?

The 'reflector bump' technique improves lighting by bouncing direct sunlight into the subject's face, which adds catch light, cleans up the color of light, and reduces harsh shadows caused by bottom-up fill light.

What is 'open shade' in photography and how does it affect portrait shots?

Open shade refers to a location that is shaded from direct sunlight but still receives soft light from the open sky. This provides even, soft lighting on the subject's face, which is ideal for portraits.

Why is shooting through grass suggested for portrait photography?

Shooting through grass helps compress the scene and adds a foreground element that leads the viewer's eye to the subject, creating depth and visual interest in the portrait.

How does the position of the subject relative to the light source affect the outcome of the portrait?

The position of the subject relative to the light source can create different effects such as backlighting, which can add a rim light around the subject, or open shade, which provides soft and even lighting on the face.

What is the purpose of using a scrim in the 'reflector bump' technique?

A scrim is used to diffuse and soften the direct sunlight when using the 'reflector bump' technique, which helps to create more natural and even lighting on the subject's face.

What are some tips for shooting portraits in a park as suggested in the video?

Tips for shooting portraits in a park include finding backlit areas with foliage, using a reflector or scrim to add light, utilizing open shade, shooting through grass for compression, and positioning the subject against a bright part of the background.

How does the choice of lens focal length affect the portrait photography as demonstrated in the video?

The choice of lens focal length affects the portrait by controlling the compression and background blur. A longer focal length, like the 70-180mm, is used for tighter shots and more background compression, while a wider focal length like 28-75mm is suitable for wider shots with less compression.