Environmental Portraits: Learning the Art from the Ground Up

Environmental portraits are different than your average day studio portraits.  They are taken within the subject's environment in which they work, live, or play.  This type of picture can also say something about who the subject is.  There are many reasons as to why photographers enjoy environmental portraits:

• They give context to the subject being photographed
• They make the shot more interesting
• They give the viewer a better insight into the subject's lifestyle and personality 
• It also helps to relax the subject for a more natural feel

Things to consider when photographing your subject within their environment may include the camera settings, lighting, props, background, as well as how you want them to pose.  

Here are a few examples that demonstrate these key elements.

In this picture you can see the elements of lighting technique, natural action and candidness of the subject along with the overall environment attributing to the woman's specific task.  

Photo Credit: Sukanto Debnath

This picture is an example of an environmental portrait due to the all of the texture surrounding the clerk.  His facial expression gives the portrait meaning to the photo as well.  

Photo Credit: Diego DeNicola

There are many different locations where environmental portraits may be taken.  Anywhere you go you can take a picture of someone within his or her natural environment just by asking permission to photograph them.  Some tips on how to capture these photographs can be found on these websites. 

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/environmental-portraits

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/09/AR2006050901061.html

Feel free to share your favorite pictures, thoughts, or locations for environmental portraits!

Finding the Perfect Picture: Learning the Art from the Ground Up

Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film.     - The Focal Dictionary of Photographic Technologies

Photography requires a great sense of creativity.  Finding the subject matter that is unique, interesting, and appealing is very important.  Most photographers have a creative side that they choose to show and develop through their pictures.  When taking pictures look for great locations such as:

• Churches
• National and Local Parks
• Zoos
• Scenic Views/Overlooks
• Bodies of Water
• Nature Trails and 
• Cityscapes

Check out Baylor University Professor, Curtis Callaway's professional slideshow for some ideas on creativity. 

Here are a few pictures that show creativity through unique structures, animals and scenic locations.

This is a picture of a Catholic Church which made for great pictures especially due to its historic architecture.   

Photo Credit: Maddie Gregory

Here is a picture of a meerkat taken at Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas.

Photo Credit: Maddie Gregory

Here is a picture of the view across the Brazos River taken at Lover's Leap, Cameron Park.

Photo Credit: Maddie Gregory

For more tips on creativity with photography visit:

http://photo.net/column/harolddavis/becoming-a-creative-photographer/

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/adding-randomness-to-your-photos

Feel free to share your favorite locations! 

Photography 101

The Basics of Exposure:

There are three elements that factor into a photograph's exposure.

•  ISO - the measure of a digital camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. In a film camera, the sensitivity of the film.
• Aperture - the size of the opening in the lens when a picture is taken.
• Shutter speed - the amount of time that the shutter is open.  

Check out this quick video which gives an overview three elements: ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed.

Each of these elements relate to how light enters the camera. In order to take a perfect picture, one must have an understanding of the three elements of exposure.  The intersection of these three elements determines the overall exposure. 
A change in one of the elements will impact the effect of the others.  When you adjust the shutter, you need to also adjust the aperture accordingly, and your last resort should be an adjustment to ISO as this is usually dependent upon specific lighting conditions. 
Accurately gauging all of the elements in any given situation takes a lot of practice.  

Here are just a few pictures showing what is possible when the photographer has the freedom to accentuate adjustments to these three variables: 

Low aperture can blur an otherwise distracting background:

© www.digital-cameras-help.com

Elevated ISO can shed some light on a dark night:

Photo Credit- Maddie Gregory

High shutter speed can catch all the action:

Photo Credit- Kevin Kopanski

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