The cool thing is, this is not only the most beautiful light I can get for my indoor portraits,  it is the easiest to use as well. The only piece of equipment I use besides my camera is a reflector…..when I’m not too lazy to go find it.  I almost always shoot 90 degrees to the window,  so I have a strong direction to the light,  from the side.  I can have a senior looking into the camera and get a dramatic “split” lighting,  then have them look more toward the window,  creating a  ”short” style of lighting, as in the close up of the girl below.

In both of these images right above and below this paragraph, I wanted a higher lighting ratio to contribute to the sense of feeling of the subjects and  go along with the very directional lighting,  or contribute to the emotion of the subject and the emotional impact of the image.  So I chose not to fill the shadows with a bright reflector.  Since this room is fairly small and the walls are all very light, there is a fair amount of ambient light already providing some fill for the shadows.  If  it was a huge room,  I probably would have used at least a soft white reflector back from the subject to get this same lighting ratio.

Window light portrait photography techniques

I can move further into the room and reduce the contrast in the lighting if I want to.  Because the light disperses as it gets further into the room, the intensity decreases.  More of what was the “main” light, the light creating the highlight on the face has dispersed into shadow, actually increasing the value of the shadow side.  The end result is a somewhat lower lighting ratio, as in the image below.  Notice the shadow side of her face is lighter compared to the other images.

If you haven’t been doing it, try doing some nice window light portraits. I think you will be excited about the results.  Don’t forget to plan for your background. Consider everything in the scene and make sure it works in the image.  A distracting background will take impact away from a portrait.  Also,  don’t turn on room lights inside.  If you need to lighten the shadows some, use a reflector.  Finally,  always “custom white balance”  for the window light, using a grey card.

Until next time!  Michael

Got to spend some great time with my 19 month old Grandson Christophe this past week. In a brief moment of irrational thought I planned to spend some time alone doing some watercolor painting. Ah, this was gonna be great. Time by myself. Painting. How long had it been? Finally I sat down ready to put brush to water, and paint, and paper, etc. Within seconds I found all my plans in disarray. Water and paint and paper were everywhere as Christophe jumped in to join me in painting.

What started out to be my relaxing painting time turned out to be, instead, an inspired portrait concept!

Now!  Before you say anything, I haven’t  shot a finished portrait yet, the video was to record the idea. Notice that at many points, we could have captured a still shot that his Mom would have absolutely loved!  That’s  ”emotional impact”

I recognized the opportunity to create a real life portrait, or at least the inspiration for one. I gave him a brush about as long as he is tall, showed him how to dip it in water, then paint, and put it to paper. This little guy was ex-cited! Brush in the water, water all over the table, then to paint, then to paper. Those strokes! Oh My, what determined brush strokes a little 19 month old boy can make as he excitedly discovers……PAINT!

These unplanned moments are the real portrait moments of life. Moments when we see the process of living life acted out as uniquely real as we each are.  They happen when we let kids, ( adult kids too! )  just be kids!  I knew I had to capture this painting session idea. Wouldn’t you know it. My Canon DSLR decided not to work. Fortunately my Android phone did work. I started shooting stills and videos while Christophe painted his heart out. ..

Emotional impact is the magic ingredient that adds tremendous value to a portrait. It is the capturing of a real life magical moment as it unfolds that creates emotional impact and adds value that is priceless. To create great value in a portrait, capture great moments! Capture the magical moments! Moments that illustrate the emotional connection of the subject with what s(he) whatever he or she is focused on. Images like these are priceless. They have “emotional impact.” These portraits really do speak volumes. They are heart warming and soulful moments.

When I look at this video on my phone, I am moved emotionally because this is my grandson.  I see numerous things that affect me emotionally.  But, I want a print of this scene on my wall somewhere. I want to remember this moment and think of Christophe, my first grandchild, every day by seeing this print on my wall.  Next, I will attempt to  stage this scene again, shooting a technically better image that is lit well, with good tone control and a non distracting image. I want to re do it as a well designed image. He was wanting to paint with me on the morning they left to go home otherwise I would have a finished portrait image here for you to see.  I will do a finished portrait of this idea soon and let you know when it is up here to view.

Have a happy new year!

Michael

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Sixteen

The key to facilitating these natural portraits,  is to create an environment where  the subject can be  relaxed, comfortable and expressive.  To that end, I  start by keeping a friendly relaxed studio environment, and let my client know that he or she doesn’t have to do anything at all except relax and have a good time.  From the minute they walk into the studio,  everything is all about them.  The second part is about having my technique down to where I can work without having to think about lighting, f stops, and exposure.  Oh, I’m constantly aware of them, and in control of every aspect of every shot. But to the client I am completely focused on them.

Though I may be adjusting equipment,  moving props and lights , or taking exposure readings, I am engaging the subject in  significant conversation, asking leading questions and actively listening to what they have to say.  It’s important that the conversation is significant to them, even if  I can’t relate to the content,  I must validate this person, in this moment in time,  as an individual who is important in our world.  Her or his thoughts on any subject  matter to me.  I find that after some time,  when someone is engrossed in a subject that is important to them, they just naturally stand, sit, lean,  place their arms and hands, etc.,  in  ways that are the most natural to them  and that fit their current mood and expressions.  It’s common to see quite a range of wonderful expressions and poses happen without any direction required from me what so ever.  Usually I will have been photographing them the entire time and they are barely aware of my camera.  If things aren’t flowing quite well enough or seem a little stiff,  I can usually make a simple suggestion to “sit here” or “lean on this ”  as  I go on conversing with them,  and it will help loosen up the flow.

Portrait of a Musician

To facilitate good conversations, ask questions that cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no.”  Don’t ask, “did you have a

good summer?”  say,  ”Tell me about your summer.  What did you do?  They will go with that, just keep asking questions that encourage them to tell you about something very meaningful.  You will have no shortage of  moments where this person’s real self comes through.

Everything should be done to create confidence and relaxation in the individual.  I don’t have fixed rules as to whether someone else can be in the session.  It’s all up to the individual and their needs. Are they insecure? would they  feel better if  someone else is there? “You bet, what ever you are the most comfortable with”  If  Mom wants to be in a senior session and the senior is obviously stressed by her presence,  then Mom is outta there!  Of course I let her know that we will have more success with the natural style portraits that way.

It’s important to have your technique down very well,  so you aren’t having to think very much about your camera settings,  lighting,  or posing.  You must be able to think about the technical things and make changes without it being noticeable to the client. At the very least, make sure you look like you know what you are doing.  Appearing flustered by difficult lighting or camera settings will really undermine the attempts to create a relaxed environment. Particularly for the senior portrait session where the client must feel like they are having an incredibly good session so in order to look their best in the images.

If you are looking for ways to help getting more effective results in your portrait photography,  give these ideas a try.  I believe these thoughts on working with people can have a very positive effect  on your success! At least I hope so!

Have a great day!

Michael

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Digital Photography Training!

In case you haven’t seen it yet, our photography training DVD is now available on our web site. In this video I demonstrate the key techniques I use for professional images, including shooting in manual mode, exposure techniques, selecting f stops and shutter speeds for specific effects, etc.

Many of you are already familiar with Pamala Newcomb’s beautiful digital photography backdrops and templates, so you understand what I’m saying. But, for those who don’t, I wanted to show you what Pam does, and why so many professional photographers are excited about her work. I’m pretty proud of her too!
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If you don’t know us yet, we are Michael and Pamala Newcomb, from Grants Pass, Oregon. We have had our photography studio here for over 25 years.  We love photography, photographing people, stuff, and nearly everything else, and teaching or sharing what we know about portrait photography and small town studios, with those just starting out!  Welcome to our site and blog.

If you were looking for our store,  you can get there right through here!  The Photo Coach Store

we have been creating digital backgrounds, backdrops, and photoshop psd layered templates for several years. We are called The Photo Coach because initially, the plan was for Michael to write and teach photography techniques from his twenty five year career as a professional portrait photographer. Pam decided to start creating some backgrounds for green screen / chromakey photography and that was so successful, it has kept us very busy. Now, It’s time to get on with our original plan, providing our photography techniques and experience in the portrait photography business, for anyone interested.

Today we are launching this site/blog as a place to share what we do! Just for you! We are gonna enjoy sharing what has worked for us, running a portrait studio in small town America for twenty five years. We hope this will be informative and invaluable to you. We also look forward to corresponding with you and getting to know some of you. So, bookmark us! sign up for a newsletter, and write and share some good thoughts! Oh, and check back soon for the latest additions to our site!

Talk to ya soon!

Michael

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We have a few more new digital photography background products coming along soon! I know many of you are waiting eagerly to see Pam’s latest creations. Hang in there! we will have some new stuff for ya soon.

Have a GREAT day!

Michael