Digital portrait photography and lighting - Catherine Jamieson

Since the earliest portraits were scratched onto cave walls, we've developed increasingly sophisticated tools for capturing human likenesses. Yet the motivation has changed little
to freeze a human image as an art form, a means of communication, a piece of personal history. Whether formalized with elaborate settings and lighting or snapped at the beach to hold forever the pure joy in a child's face, portraits preserve people. Today's digital technology offers flexibility, economy, and almost limitless tools for perfecting your images, and these experts help you use it.

• Discover the skills you need to move from serious amateur to professional photographer


• Learn how a snapshot differs from a casual portrait


• Identify what you want your portrait to communicate


• Investigate lighting equipment and how to use it in different scenarios


• Use natural or mixed light to create unique effects


• Explore composition, posing, and handling challenges


• Handle props, backgrounds, color, location shooting, and studio shots


• Work with groups, children, and pets


• Perfect image–editing methods and final–touch processes that produce high–quality, professional images


• Find resources that can help you in setting up your own portrait business