How to Take Great On-Location Portraits with Your Digital Camera

Learn how to take great portraits in any on location environment.

On location shooting can be one of the most exciting and frustrating aspects of portrait photography. Amateurs and professional photographers encounter many challenges in the field such as low lighting, harsh shadows and awkward environmental elements. Have you even returned from shooting on location to find your images too dark, full of shadows or marred with extreme sunlight? Even your most seasoned photographer has to adapt the challenges an on location shoot can bring. Resolving them can be simple if you incorporate a little planning, some outdoor photography techniques and an adventurous attitude.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• digital SLR camera
• memory card
• light reflector
• tripod (optional)

1. Know Your Camera
   
   Today’s digital cameras come with so many features that it’s often hard at times to know which setting works best for your subject. Moreover, understanding the basic function of your camera can affect your portrait sessions and your final image. Knowing your camera inside and out takes time but more importantly, it takes practice. Reading the handy owner’s manual is merely scratching the surface of your cameras capabilities. With the market for digital cameras being as competitive as it is – advanced photographers are gaining more pro-like features at consumer prices so why not use them.
   
   Take some time to learn all the features your digital camera has to offer. This doesn’t mean you’ll curl up on the couch reading your owner’s manual while enjoying your favorite snack. Get up and get out! It’s time to drive this new gizmo (figuratively of course) and see how she handles. Pick a model – maybe a family member or close friend - and spend the day photographing them indoors and outdoors. Shoot from various angles, lighting situations and if you have more than one, with different camera lenses. Make sure you understand what each setting on your camera means and the type of effect it has on the person or object you’re photographing.
   
   After you’ve completed your test drive, bring your camera back and download your images for review. One of the best ways to improve your camera skills and to learn about your camera is to review what you’ve shot. Understanding how each element (lenses, filters, flash, etc.) affects the final outcome helps make a great photo and a better on location shoot. Once you’ve gotten a handle on the various elements of your camera and you feel comfortable with the settings, ramp up your skills. Spend time shooting in different locations and adverse conditions to give you more experience. This will come in handy when you embark on your first on location session.

2. 
    
   On location shoot at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, NC.

   Scout Your Location
   You’ve become one with your camera and now you’re ready to start scouting the area for an on location shoot. Having the right location for your portrait session is critical to the success of your session and the comfort level of your subject. The best way to find the perfect location is to spend time visiting areas that you may pass on a regular basis. Do you have a favorite park, museum or botanical garden in your area? Check it out. It may prove to be the perfect location for your shoot. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s always best to walk the area at different times. See how the lighting changes throughout the day. Is it cloudy first thing in the morning and sunny by midday? You won’t know until you take time to scope out your location.

3. Remember, the “Light” Reflector is Your Friend
   The most important advice I ever received was to purchase a light reflector. Light reflectors come in all shapes, sizes and colors. I prefer the larger hand held light reflectors that come with multiple options for reflecting and deflecting light. A reflector can add light to a shoot by using either gold or silver tones. It can also deflect light by using the white cover as a shield. During on location shoots, reflectors offer a strong balance of light, adding and subtracting it when necessary. If you’ve never photographed with a reflector, I suggest you add it to your equipment wish list. You’ll thank me later.

4. Control Your Own End Product
   Capturing the best photograph possible often means controlling your end result. Though many of you digital camera fans love the pre-programmed setting, they don’t always love you. Here’s where the “M” dial on your camera comes in handy. Manual settings offer the best options for controlling light, speed and depth when photographing in any situation. I know what you thinking, then why does the manufacturer offer the portrait, night time and sports setting? Don’t get me wrong, we’ve all used these sittings at one time or another but if you’ve moved to the digital SLR world, you did that because you wanted more advanced exposures, image quality and high end lens options. To achieve this goal, you’ve got to step out of your comfort level and become friends with you manual settings.
   
   Not only is this important for your lighting but it is most important when you want to maintain strong white balance in a portrait while controlling the depth-of-field. In manual mode, you are able to set your ISO, shutter speed and aperture, to optimize your subject in the best possible way. Here you are in control and you no longer have to worry about images being too dark or too light. Manual takes all the guess work out of the final image and places the creative freedom in your hands.

5. Expect the Unexpected
   After you’ve studied your cameras settings, learned how to adjust your shutter speed and aperture, found the best location, balanced the lighting with your reflector, and positioned your subject for the perfect shoot – expect the unexpected. Planning for an on location shoot can save you time, money and headache but it can’t save you from the unexpected obstructions, changes in the weather or that last minute event that is taking place right where you planned to shoot. So what do you do? You have a “Plan B”. Make sure you know what’s happening in your neighborhood that day. Select three locations, close together, that will work well for your session. This way, if something does come up, you’re prepared.
   
   Before taking the plunge and setting up an on location portrait session, make sure you incorporate the elements outlined above. With a little pre-planning and a lot of enthusiasm, you’re sure to have a great portrait and a happy client

Resources

• B+H Photo Video Product Resources

[Jolie]

on 10/7/2008 This is really helpful information. Thanks!