You could also import the photos into a specific Collection in Lightroom, and go to the Maps module to see the locations displayed on a map. There is nothing more frustrating than finding a great place to take some portraits, then not being able to remember where it is. This could be important if you are out in the countryside somewhere. Of course, you can do this with any camera, but the advantage of a smartphone is that most of them have GPS, and this helps you remember, and find, the exact location again later.
You can use a smartphone to take photos of locations to help you remember what they look like. I used a short telephoto lens (85mm, full-frame camera) to separate the model from the background. As she is in costume, I thought the direction of the light was reminiscent of a spotlight on a stage, and appropriate to the style of portrait. This photo was taken in Wellington Botanical Gardens, and the model is illuminated by light coming from above, through the tree tops. So think about whether there is room to set up a light-stand (if using flash) or for somebody to stand and hold a reflector (if using natural light). In this situation you can use a reflector or fill-flash to minimize shadows.
This means that time of day is not so important, but it does mean that the light is most likely to come from above, and may create shadows under your model’s eyes and chin. This is another type of natural light with beautiful qualities.Īlternatively, you might like to shoot on a cloudy day. The light bounces off nearby surfaces, which acts as a giant reflector. For this reason it helps if you do your scouting at the same time of day, so you can see how the location looks in this beautiful light.Īnother option is to take photos on a bright sunny day, but in the shade.
To take full advantage of natural light you should aim to shoot in late afternoon or evening, during the golden hour, when the sun is close to the horizon. Take into account the time of day you plan to do the shoot. Whichever approach you take, it is still important to assess the quality of the light in your given location. Some photographers tend to shoot portraits entirely in natural light others use flash to supplement it.
The second was taken with an 85mm lens (also on a full-frame camera) and shows much less of the setting. The first was taken with a 40mm lens (on a full-frame camera), and shows the setting as well as the model. These two portraits show the differences in the two approaches. But it helps immensely if you know what your approach to the shoot will be, while searching for a spot to shoot. You may also make up your mind, once you have scouted a location and assessed its potential. Of course, it is more than likely that you can find opportunities to take both types of portraits, in the same setting. Also, because longer lenses have a narrower angle of view, you are using less of the setting in your portrait. In this situation the requirements for the background are different, because you are looking for something that looks good out of focus. The second is to use a longer focal length, and shoot with a wide aperture to throw the background out of focus. Either way, the idea is that you use a wide-angle lens to take a portrait, and that the setting is as important as the model. This may be documentary in approach, or it may be more fashion or beauty orientated. The first is to to use a wide-angle lens to take an environmental portrait. Both involve the use of different types of lenses. This is important because, broadly speaking, there are two different ways to take portraits. But how do you find great backgrounds for outdoor portraits? But once you start observing your local area with the aim of making portraits in mind, you will begin to see the potential, even in mundane locations. You probably already know some local beauty spots, and can think of some good places to take portraits right away. Outdoor portrait photography involves going outside, and utilizing the beauty (or the ugliness) of your surroundings.