Before you even set out

Make sure you have the following ready prior to the shoot, it may sound obvious that you need the following but it is the obvious things that are often overlooked!!

• Large memory card
• Spare batteries for the camera AND flash
• Grey card
• Tripod
• Flash diffuser
• Suitable clothes – as silly as it sounds, if your uncomfortable then this will effect your work!
• Set your Camera to shoot in RAW
• Pack a 70mm+ lens

A check list is a good idea that you simply keep in your camera bag, every time you go on a shoot of a certain type, run through the check list to make sure you have everything (imagine turning up to do a shoot and having to explain to a client why you have forgotten your flash!!).

Preparation is key!

Discuss the location of the shoot with your client prior to the day of the shoot.  Ask them if there is anywhere in particular that they enjoy visiting (a couple of places is best to give you a choice). Visit the location prior to the day and carry out a ‘recky’ to gauge the best spots, factors to consider are;

• The position of the sun throughout the day
• Made made objects, such as power lines, signs etc
• Quiet spots
• Natural light reflectors such as white buildings etc
• Repeating lines to ‘frame’ the photo.
• Objects that you can use during the shoot such as benches, fallen tress etc

Explain to your client what they can expect from the day and ask them if there is anything in particular that they are looking for or have seen elsewhere that they would like to try and replicate.  If it is cold outdoors then make sure they wear appropriate clothes………

Warm clothes are obvious but they also should be of dark colours and avoid patterns such as checks, polka dots etc.  If you are shooting photos of multiple people then they should wear similar clothes, I am not saying that they should turn up all wearing the exact same thing (however funny that may be!), but if one is wearing jeans then they all should….you get the idea.

Treat everyone in the photo as your client (even if they are children).  Respect will go along way in getting recommendations and if you upset a child then you’ll probably upset their parent/s and make the rest of the shoot a nightmare.  If you have fun with everyone then this will put people at ease and this will come out in the final photos.  Don’t try and tell people how to pose, instead actually show them, this will make it easier for them to understand, which, in turn will save you and the subject time and also make them feel more comfortable about getting in to position.

Techniques and Settings

2 things to always bear in mind are the ‘Sunny 16 Rule’ and the ‘Rule Of Thirds’;

Sunny 16 Rule

The Sunny 16 rule  is a method of estimating correct daylight exposures when you don’t have a light meter a light meter. The rule can also aid in achieving correct exposure of difficult subjects. Based on incident light, rather than reflected light as with most camera light meters, very bright or very dark subjects are compensated for.

From Wikipedia

Rule Of Thirds

An image is broken up into thirds both hoizontally and vertically. Where the lines cross (known as the ‘power points’ by some photographers) is where you should aim to place the focal point of the shot to get a more intersting shot.  This rule can obviously be broken sometimes, such as when the subject is in the centre of the photo but in these instances a feature on the subject can be lines up with a power point to improve composition.  Try and move the focal point around within the grid to avoid repetitive photographs.

Technique

Firstly set your camera to ‘Continuous shooting’ mode.  Taking one photo at a time is a waste of time and using continuous shooting may help you to capture slightly more ‘candid’ expressions from your subject!  As you are taking multiple shots, a large format memory card is a must.

Next turn OFF Auto White Balance and use manual settings, a table of which settings are best for which lighting conditions is below (from DPhotoJournal);

Temperature………..Typical Sources

1000K…………………Candlelight

2400K…………………Early morning sunrise

3200K…………………Tungsten light bulbs

4000K…………………Fluorescent

5200K…………………Typical daylight; electronic flash

6000K…………………Cloudy Day

7000K…………………Shade

Making your subject stand out from the background is key to a great portrait photo and this can be achieved by using a shallow depth of field (high F-Stop).  This will keep the subject in focus and blur the background, creating a ‘Bokeh’ effect.  At this point it is worth mentioning that manual focus should be used, your camera does a great job of choosing what to focus on and getting it in focus but, YOU may not want to focus on that point in the photo!

Focusing on the eyes will portray the emotion of the subject and create an atmosphere in the scene that gives the photo ‘a little extra something’.  Try and evoke passion and expression in your subject to create different overall moods, with kids this is easy as they laugh at anything, with adults this is a bit more difficult.  If you can make an adult laugh on command then your a comedian and probably in the wrong job, however even getting a natural smile form the subject, rather than a posed one will make a difference.

Avoid direct sunlight, this will not only cause your subject to quint but will also wash out the colours from the photo and may cause lens flare.  Look for shade and stand with your back to the sun (even on a cloudy day!).  You will find that any photos that contain sky will be less likely to be over exposed.

Try and keep the scene simple as you don’t want to lose your subject in amongst numerous other objects and invoke a game of ‘Where’s Wally’!

Cloudy days off a natural sun diffuser and help to enhance colours and shadows.  If you look outside on the day of the shoot  hoping for sun and it is cloudy, DO NOT cancel or postpone the shoot, get out there and use the clouds to your advantage.

Early morning or late afternoon are great times to conduct the shoot as they offer an ever changing level and tone of light and in turn create shadows which can be used to add depth to the photo’s.  Where ever possible avoid midday sun as this is when it is at it’s strongest, not only will this wash the photos out but you might get sunburn!! ;0)

To Flash Or Not To Flash

I have read numerous articles regarding the use of a flash (internal or external).  Some say to use the natural light only and that flash should not be needed and other say that a fill in flash should always be used.  I would say to use your judgement depending on the conditions.  On a lovely sunny afternoon where the light is just right you probably won’t need a flash, however, if like me you live in the UK then these conditions are few and far between then a flash is needed!

Tutorial Videos

Below is a collection of great video tutorials regarding different aspects of Outdoor Portrait Photography;

Outdoor Portraits

Portrait Photography In Sunny Weather Using A Flash

Cross Flash Effects, Outdoor Flash Photography

Analysing A Natural Light Portrait

By Alva Chien

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By Hans-Photography

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By Alva Chien

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By Alva Chien

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By d. jones photo

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By Jchetan

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By James Jordan

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By Muriel215

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By Brainsonic

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By MarkLeo