Portrait Photography How To

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Ron Leach  |  Oct 11, 2017

Most of us occasionally shoot portraits at home, and in the absence of a real studio rely upon a white wall as the backdrop for our shots. For those on a budget, wouldn’t it be nice to do something more dramatic without spending money on a custom backdrop or fiddling around with Photoshop?

Ron Leach  |  Dec 12, 2023

This 10-minute tutorial begins with a question for those of you see captivating backlit photos with beautiful golden tones and think to yourself, "why don’t my photos look like that?" There are a number of challenges with shooting under such conditions, and the tutorial below explains what they are and how to overcome them.

Ron Leach  |  Mar 28, 2024

It's nearly impossible to capture a great photo if the colors in your images are consistently unnatural, gaudy or dull. So if you're struggling with unimpressive color, whether shooting indoors or out, buckle up and watch the 10-minute tutorial below.

Henry Anderson  |  Nov 11, 2019

Many photographers will agree that it can be harder to pose men for portrait photos than women. 

Cynthia Boylan  |  Nov 24, 2015

In this clever seven-minute video, New York-based portrait photographer Peter Hurley offers a simple trick to help you create more flattering portraits.

Ron Leach  |  May 05, 2025

All photographers strive for perfectly sharp photos, and this task can often be difficult depending on the subject at hand and the situation we confronts. Consistently achieving precise focus isn't about owning a great camera, but rather understanding how autofocus really works and knowing how to use it properly and the best settings to use.

Ron Leach  |  Dec 27, 2024

This Photoshop tutorial from NBP Retouch Tools discusses a variety of concepts and techniques for the best ways to give photos a necessary saturation boost while retaining a realistic look. There are several ways to get the job done, some more effective than others, and there's a good chance that your everyday method can be improved.

Cynthia Boylan  |  Dec 03, 2014

Giving a more modern twist to tradition, a team of digital imaging specialists from the Smithsonian Institute created a 3D portrait of President Barack Obama using eight high-resolution sports cameras, six wide-angle cameras, and 50 custom-designed LED lights.

Ron Leach  |  Sep 09, 2021

Photographers often spend big bucks on prime lenses with fast maximum apertures for a reason. But if you can’t afford premium glass, the video below is for you.

Ron Leach  |  Feb 09, 2024

Even if you don't dread sitting behind a computer for hours, editing images from a shoot, there's no reason not to streamline your workflow with fast-and-easy techniques that deliver superb results. That's topic of this tutorial, specifically with regard to processing portrait images.

Ron Leach  |  Jun 11, 2025

Your camera's Spot Metering mode is one of the most powerful options at your disposal, yet this transformative setting is often ignored because photographers don't understand how it works. And that's too bad because, when used properly, it's almost impossible to end up with disappointing images that are either too bright or too dark.

Shutterbug Staff  |  Jan 08, 2023

Show your best images to the world by posting in the Shutterbug Photo of the Day gallery. Here’s the quick and easy procedure along with some tips to help you navigate to the right place, and even some advice about composition and subject matter.

Ron Leach  |  Apr 07, 2022

In the world of photography, as with other artistic pursuits, the term “beginner” isn’t a dirty word. It just means there are a few things to learn if you want to take image making to the next level.

Ron Leach  |  Nov 18, 2022

One question I’m frequently asked is, “Are you a natural-light photographer or do you use flash?” All too often that query stems from a popular misconception that using supplemental light is too difficult or confusing for mere mortals. As you’ll see in the basic tutorial below, nothing could be further from the truth.

Ron Leach  |  May 05, 2025

Today's quick tutorial is for those of you who've tried photographing on the street and were disappointed that the images you captured looked nothing like the compelling scenes you witnessed through the viewfinder. We're going to fix that today.

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