Improve portrait photography

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tony09uk

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Tony
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Hi folks, sorry to ask such an obvious sounding question but, how do i go about improving my portrait photography skills? I am practicing as often as i can, but only have myself to practice on as im not able to get any willing models.

I have gone a to a local photography club, but it doesnt seem very good. So im now stuck on my own trying to learn the necessary skills.
 
Hit the streets....take a few cards with you so people have a flickr or web site to visit and ask any person passing if you can take a picture....if they say yes slip them a card and say thank you...I would also explain to the person you doing this it improve you photography skills and portfolio....granted it's scary as hell but its going to be the only way to improve and build the confidence. (says me who's not even tried this my self yet.)
 
Hi,

I've not been at it very long myself and started by taking pictures of my kids and anybody else's kids I could! Every time someone had a birthday party, new baby or smallish event I offered to take photographs for free if they were happy for me to use any good ones on a website (they of course got a CD will all images on). I even managed to get into a local garden party with a few celebrities as I knew the toastmaster (with hosts permission of course). People loved having someone take care of the photography and there were no demands as its a freebie. Gradually I got experience and confidence and built my own website and now have enquiries and jobs coming in. Just in middle of upgrading site and raising prices a little as confidence grows. Loving every minute of it, although terrifying sometimes. Sorry for life-story post! Have a look a site, welcome any comments, good or bad!
Www.jojocooperphotography.co.uk
 
As Dan said hitting the streets is a great way to improve you're portrait shots.
I'm down in London this year on a 1 year work placement and decided to do a mini project of "Market Strangers" (basically anybody who works/owns/runs a stall at a London market). People are surprisingly more approachable than you'd think, I've been turned down a couple times but even then people are really polite about it.

Once you've built up a bit of confidence on the street and feel you want to take the next step up invest in some lights if you haven't already and offer free portrait sessions to friends and family.
 
See if your local Further Ed college has any photography courses on the subject. Just booked myself onto a Portrait Photography saturday workshop at mine, in Surrey so a bit far for you though... Otherwise if you are invited to any event, ask if they want someone to take some pics on the day, I am doing my godsons 18th birthday in an couple of weeks just for the practice.
Regarding photographing strangers, the photography tutor at Esher college (Ian Macaulay) has always said it is amazing what people will do for you if you are carrying a camera!
 
Check with the local photo studios?

They might do a practice evening for a few quid.


A person on here told me about one in Tamworth that was 25ukp for three hours. One model studio lights all set up - just posing and taking pictures (4x outfits).

Gets a bit of practice in - cant use the pics tho :/


Any male/female friends who might pose for you in different places?
 
Like I seem to tell everyone, considering checking out Lynda.com. They have video courses on backlit, natural light, studio and narrative portraiture. You'll also get tips from the legend that is Douglas Kirkland. You can easily watch all the courses with just one month's membership and the information gained is worth way more than 10 or 15 bucks. Well worth the cash: http://www.lynda.com/Photography-training-tutorials/70-0.html
 
Go on PureStorm and/or ModelMayhem and create a profile. Be honest about your ability and setup your search to find NEW, Amateur Local models of both sexes to do shoots.

Even some poor first attempt shot with your 7D are going to give the new models some better portfolio images than the mobile phone holiday snaps most new models will have on their profiles and you can learn your respective crafts together.

Mark
 
iPhoto said:
Go on PureStorm and/or ModelMayhem and create a profile. Be honest about your ability and setup your search to find NEW, Amateur Local models of both sexes to do shoots.

Even some poor first attempt shot with your 7D are going to give the new models some better portfolio images than the mobile phone holiday snaps most new models will have on their profiles and you can learn your respective crafts together.

Mark
Click to expand...

that seems like a great bit of advice! :thumbs: might even try that myself!
 
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