Book description
A full-color guide to the art of digital portrait photography
Portrait photography entails taking posed photographs of individuals or set scenery and is the most common photo style among the most novice photography hobbyist to the most advanced photographer. With this easy-to-understand guide, bestselling author and professional photographer Doug Sahlin walks you through the best techniques for getting professional-quality digital portraits.
Packed with hundreds of full-color photos and screen shots, this book discusses best practices for taking formal portraits, wedding photos, event photos, casual photos, and more. You'll examine the difference between using the built-in flash and natural lighting and take a look at the benefits of upgrading to a photo lighting kit and pro backdrop.
Portrait photography is the most popular style of photography
Features helpful information for everyone from beginner hobbyists to advanced photographers
Shares insider tips for selecting equipment and choosing from the various tools for portrait photography
Walks you through working with a wide range of subjects, including children, pets, and wildlife
Discusses lighting and editing images
Takes a look at ways to create a portrait that is suitable for framing
Make sure your subjects are ready for their close ups with this fun and friendly guide to digital portrait photography.
Table of contents
- Copyright
- About the Author
- Author's Acknowledgments
- Publisher's Acknowledgments
- Introduction
-
I. Introducing Portrait Photography
- 1. Exploring Portrait Photography
- 2. Choosing Your Equipment
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3. Getting to Know Digital Photography
- 3.1. Understanding Digital Photography
- 3.2. The Recipe for a Perfect Exposure
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3.3. Mastering Your Equipment
- 3.3.1. Mastering your camera menu
- 3.3.2. Demystifying your camera dial
- 3.3.3. Understanding shooting modes
- 3.3.4. Correcting exposure
- 3.3.5. Using autoexposure bracketing
- 3.3.6. Understanding focal lengths
- 3.3.7. Setting image quality and image format
- 3.3.8. Understanding ISO
- 3.3.9. Creating a perfect portrait
- 3.3.10. Establishing a post-shoot ritual
- 3.4. Editing Your Images
- 4. Becoming a Portrait Photographer
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II. Portrait Photography Techniques
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5. Composing Your Portraits
- 5.1. Using the Right Camera Settings
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5.2. Composing Your Images
- 5.2.1. Composing your picture in the viewfinder
- 5.2.2. Defining the center of interest
- 5.2.3. Positioning the camera
- 5.2.4. Using the rule of thirds
- 5.2.5. Determining point of view
- 5.2.6. Framing your subject
- 5.2.7. Placing the horizon
- 5.2.8. Using lines and natural curves in your composition
- 5.2.9. Using color, shapes, and texture
- 5.2.10. Using selective focus
- 5.2.11. Breaking the rules
- 5.2.12. Feeding your creative muse
- 5.2.13. Practice makes perfect
- 6. Working with Your Subjects
- 7. Lighting Your Portraits
- 8. Photographing Portraits on Location
- 9. Photographing Portraits in Your Home or Office
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5. Composing Your Portraits
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III. Editing and Sharing Your Portraits
- 10. Editing with Photoshop Elements
- 11. Retouching Your Portraits
- 12. Sharing Your Images
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IV. The Part of Tens
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13. Ten Editing Tips and Tricks
- 13.1. Replacing a Background
- 13.2. Creating a Painting Using Corel Painter 11
- 13.3. Creating a Vignette
- 13.4. Adding a Border to a Portrait
- 13.5. Creating a Gallery Print
- 13.6. Converting an Image to Black and White
- 13.7. Creating a Sepia-Toned Image
- 13.8. Simulating a Hand-Tinted Image
- 13.9. Using a Digital Tablet and Stylus
- 13.10. Editing Your Photos Online
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14. Ten Photography Tips and Tricks
- 14.1. Developing Your Style
- 14.2. Creating a Self-Portrait
- 14.3. Creating Makeshift Reflectors
- 14.4. Steadying the Camera without a Tripod
- 14.5. Creating a Homemade Soft-Focus Filter
- 14.6. Using a Neutral-density Filter
- 14.7. Using Second Curtain Shutter Sync
- 14.8. Creating a Digital Double Exposure
- 14.9. Calibrating Your Monitor
- 14.10. Keep It Clean
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15. Ten Resources for Portrait Photographers
- 15.1. Shopping 'Til You Drop at B&H Photo
- 15.2. Checking Out Online Retailers
- 15.3. Buying and Selling Stuff on eBay
- 15.4. Sharing Your Photos on Flickr
- 15.5. Creating Photo Books at Blurb
- 15.6. Finding Inspiration at Photo.net
- 15.7. Researching Digital Cameras at Digital Photography Review
- 15.8. Getting Quality Prints at Mpix
- 15.9. Finding Tutorials at YouTube
- 15.10. Viewing Tutorials at Adobe TV
-
13. Ten Editing Tips and Tricks
Product information
- Title: Digital Portrait Photography For Dummies®
- Author(s):
- Release date: December 2009
- Publisher(s): For Dummies
- ISBN: 9780470527634
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