Portrait Photography How To

There are numerous “rules” of photography and some are meant to be broken—including a few of the most familiar. But as you’ll see in the eye-opening video below from a trusted pro, you can avoid sabotaging images by using an oft-ignored trick.

We’ve all been taught to avoid shooting in direct sunlight whenever possible, to avoid blown-out highlights, harsh contrast, washed-out colors, unflattering shadows, and models with squinty eyes. In the shooting and editing tutorial below, you’ll earn how to meet these challenges and achieve beautiful photos.

Editor’s Note: The imaging world has lost a spark of brilliance with the passing of legendary photographer and beloved friend Douglas Kirkland at the young age of 88. In his memory we’re re-posting our 2017 article with a selection of Douglas’ iconic images and a video revealing the secrets behind his photos of the rich and famous.

Shutterbug readers know their way around a camera and consistently shoot really nice images. But if you want to make the leap from “good” to “amazing,” the video below is just what you need.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next boudoir shoot, pro photographer Lindsay Adler’s video below is a great place to start. In the tutorial she shows you how to create a vintage pin-up style art nude photo, which should go over well with boudoir clients who don’t mind showing a little extra skin.

Every so often we capture a photo with an unsightly colorcast, like when shooting performances with strong, colored stage lighting. There are numerous other situations in which harsh supplemental light obliterates the original colors of a subject.

Have you every shot a portrait that looked really great, except for a bunch of flyaway hair? Removing these distractions can be a difficult task—unless you know the quick Photoshop trick in the video below.