Posted on February 2, 2010 - by Justine Miller

Portrait Photography: Basic Information

A portrait, also called a portraiture, is a picture that centers on a person or small group’s facial expression while they are in a still position. The person or group’s personalities, moods & likeness emerge out. Aside from the face, portrait photography can also show the whole body and the background of the subject. The person or group is usually looking straight at the camera in a portrait photograph.

Non-professional models are used for portrait photography, unlike other styles of photography. Graduations, special events and weddings are types of occasions where portrait photography is used, and later displayed in private homes. Many are done on studio with several backgrounds to select from.

The History of Portrait Photography

Ever since the camera was invented people have been using portrait photography. Having your portrait painted was expensive & not as available. People would sit against a background and were lit with natural light from a window. With technology evolving photographers have the power to take pictures with less exposure time allowing them more freedom to move around and create new styles of portrait photography.

Portrait Photography Trends

Portrait photographs can be done in a studio where the photographer can adjust the light when capturing portraits. They can change the direction and the intensity. Different lighting terms are fill lights, background lights, kicker lights & the main light.

The most important source of light is obviously known as the main light. The main light is generally positioned above or below the subject and at a 45 degree angle.The main light can create shadows so the fill light helps to eliminate them. The light that brightens up the hair of the subject is the kicker light. This will help to add depth and to show the separation from the subject & the background. To add effects to the backdrops the background light is used to brighten up the background.