Capture it Correctly in your Camera

As I've shown in many blog posts, my personal portrait style is dreamy,

light and airy...with what I call a Monet painting look.

If you like this style, you must capture it with your camera

when you are taking the photo.

I was a television news reporter for fourteen years.  The hardest

part of that job was shooting in the field.  That's when it

was critical for me to pay close attention and

gather all the details and video CORRECTLY.

I had to work closely with the photographer and

 think of every shot I would need while

in the field.

Editing my news stories was my FAVORITE part of the job,

when my attention to detail came together.  I LOVED editing

just like I love editing portraits now.

But, I learned back then...if I didn't do it right in the field...

I would NOT have it in the editing room!

(Please excuse the 90's hair and make up...ha ha!)

The same is true for portrait photography.

Here are my tried and true tips for getting it correct in the camera,

so you can produce lovely portraits in editing.

First, you must know how to use your camera...

ie...understand EXPOSURE or how aperture, shutter speed and ISO

work together.  Learn this first!  There are many books and Internet tutorials

to teach you. 

Once you understand exposure, you can put

that knowledge to work.

Getting great exposure does not necessarily mean

your photos will look exquisite right out of the camera

especially if you shoot in RAW.

This is a photo of pretty Maddie 

SOOC (Which means Straight out of Camera.)

                                 While it might appear dark...it has all the components for

a beautiful portrait.

After editing:

To get these results

I ALWAYS shoot portraits in Large/RAW.

ALWAYS!

RAW is not compressed so it usually needs

editing, but if you used the correct exposure, your

details will be retained.

My favorite portrait lens and the one I used for these photos

is the 50mm 1.4. 

                          I LOVE the wide aperature for blurring the foreground and background!

SOOC:  

After editing:

Notice how icky and dark this next SOOC photo looks, yet it has

all the components to create the perfect after:

No shadows on Maddie's face, the hair is highlighted by the sun,

eyes are in perfect focus and the background is a lovely bokeh.

I planned and noticed ALL these details before

I snapped the photo.

I start with the sun at the subject's back.

Then I walk around my model or have the model turn

 until I notice there are no shadows on the face

 and the hair is highlighted.

I also sharpen the eyes and soften the skin in editing. 

I use my editing tools in Lightroom and PhotoShop Elements

to lighten her face which will always be a bit dark

when backlighting.

By getting it correct in the field...

you get a stunning portrait in editing:

I also look for ways to USE the light...

shining through hair or Maddie's dress

in this SOOC:

Notice no shadows on the face, but

luminous use of the light.

While shooting, I'm always looking at the details

and constantly monitoring those awful face shadows

that are impossible to fix in editing.

SOOC:

After editing:

I usually shoot a bit wide especially if

I'm shooting a full length, so I have

some crop room for various photo sizes.

SOOC:

After editing and cropping:

Shooting with a wide aperture

will give you a shorter depth of field

and thus some spectacular background bokeh.

SOOC with all the elements I need for editing:

No shadows on the face, highlighted hair, eyes in focus

and great background bokeh!

If you got this photo back from the printer,

you would be disappointed:

That's why you MUST learn how to edit

especially if you're shooting in RAW!

After editing:

It works every time!

I LOVE the photo below:

Notice how I cloned out that distracting fence and sky

to give it that dreamy, "I'm walking in la-la land paradise" look.

You can find a TON of tutorials on how to edit online.

That's how I learned...it's really a matter of learning

each technique...one at a time until it all comes together.

If you take the photo correctly in the field...

You will create magic in editing!

I promise!

Also check out these great photography blogs:

Ashley Sisk and Sarah Halstead

Kent Weakley

Jaymi M Photography

Mom Tried It

The Crumby Mummy