Portrait Photography How To

One skill that can make the difference between a good photograph and a great one is the proper use of depth of field—especially when shooting landscapes, nature, and other outdoor images. In the video below you’ll learn how this concept works, and the three key variables for doing it right.

There’s one sure way to take your photography to the next level: Shoot images with a totally different look from those you’ve captured in the past. You can do this by switching up the subject matter, trying a different technique, or composing images from an unusual vantage point—either high or low.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and a beautiful portrait of your partner makes a meaningful gift. If she wants to showcase her figure for more intimate shots, that’s not difficult to do.

Quite a few photographers prefer making portraits with available light—either because they prefer the look, or they don’t own supplemental light equipment. It’s possible to do that indoors, like when using window lighting, but the typical approach is to shoot outdoors.

It's really important to maintain consistent colors when processing your images, especially if you've developed a unique, recognizable style. This is also an essential goal when editing a series of photos from the same shoot.

Unless you shoot portraits in b&w, the tones you apply to an image can make or break a photo—even with a beautiful subject. That's because the color values you use are a very important component of visual storytelling and help convey a variety of compelling moods and feelings.

Photographer Matt Higgs says he’s a firm believer that the best way to become a better photographer is to “go out and do things that would normally be outside your comfort zone.” With that in mind he challenged himself to hit the streets and shoot 30 portraits of complete strangers in just two hours. As you’ll see in the video below, he learned a few things along the way.