Notes on outdoor portrait photography

Introduction: Due to the complex and changeable outdoor environment, it is necessary to consider possible problems or situations during the shooting process before shooting, so as not to cause confusion in the subsequent shooting. Now let me bring you the precautions for outdoor portrait photography, let’s go and find out together! Things to note for outdoor portrait photography

Usually, the precautions for outdoor portrait photography mainly include two aspects: Photography equipment and shooting methods. Sunny days are good days for outdoor photography. Sufficient light and a happy mood are one of the important guarantees for taking good photos. However, it is not always possible to take good portrait photography on a sunny day. There are still many things that need to be paid attention to. Since the May Day holiday is in the middle of summer, the direct sunlight is relatively strong on a sunny day, and it is more difficult to take portrait photos under strong sunlight, so the time is generally chosen from 9 to 11 a.m. on a sunny day. , or 3 pm to 5 pm on a sunny day are good, because during these two periods the sun is relatively low and the light is not very strong. The sun is moderately bright when it is slanting, unlike the scorching sun at noon that easily produces ugly shadows.

Photography equipment

When doing outdoor shooting activities, it is best to carry a zoom lens with a large aperture to ensure better shooting. The focal length of the lens is 85mm-135mm, which is the portrait standard. The lens is best. Generally, a lens with a focal length of 100mm is suitable for taking portraits of people with shoulders. Lenses with a focal length of 135mm or above can take close-ups of portraits.

Selection of metering method

For many photographers, it is often used to use the camera’s spot metering mode to meter the skin and then focus on the eyes. A photography tip. When using spot metering, you can choose to spot meter on the model's face, and then press the exposure lock button on the camera to ensure correct exposure, and then focus and compose the shot.

Shooting Tips

Especially when the model is wearing white clothes and in a white background environment, when the white in the photo does not appear white enough or appears gray, appropriate exposure compensation is required. Because the camera often meters the subject in the center when in automatic mode, the white subject at this time will make the camera mistakenly think that the environment is very bright, resulting in underexposure.

How to choose a suitable outdoor scene

The outdoor scene is like a stage for a performance. Without a suitable stage, it is impossible to show the proper performance effect; similarly, without a suitable outdoor scene It also means that the characteristics of the outdoor scenes cannot be captured. If you only shoot simple portraits, you will lose the meaning of shooting outdoor scenes. The main subject of outdoor portrait photography is people, but people cannot exist alone without the surrounding environment.

Conducive to setting off the subject

A good scene can show the inner world of the character and become a favorable foil for the character's emotions. People-oriented, expressing emotions with scenery, harmonious coexistence of people and scenery, fully stretches and extends the connotation of portrait photography. For example, placing the model in beautiful natural scenery will bring fresh breath to your face; placing the model in a tall building or street can fully demonstrate the character's status in social life.

Shooting Tips

The scene must be able to match or set off the characters, and help express the theme to be photographed, using the scene to express emotions and use the scene to set off the characters.

Conducive to composition

Outdoor scenes can enhance the sense of form of photographic works. Photographers make full use of points, lines, surfaces, colors and other elements in the external environment to compose pictures, making the photos more vivid. Characteristic; unique natural phenomena (clouds, fog, wind and rain) or objects (flowers, grass, buildings) in the environment can make the picture more interesting and fully demonstrate the emotions of the characters.

Shooting Tips

Theme that matches the scene will make the whole picture more dynamic and fully demonstrate the deep emotions between people. The green grass and the docile horses are indispensable accompaniments to the whole painting to express the emotions of the characters.