| They key to taking a good picture outside is | | | | Do not use wide angle lenses as they tend to |
| lighting, lighting, lighting! | | | | create distortion in pictures not meant for |
| Start with a good location. | | | | portraits. |
| The time of Day and the weather will contribute | | | | Do not use to low of an f stop. Too low of an F |
| to look and feel of the picture and will make a | | | | stop will not allow the complete area to be in |
| drastic difference. | | | | focus. |
| Use an area with good depth. | | | | Do not use to large of an F stop. Using a larger F |
| Give a good amount of space between the | | | | stop will leave to much of the area in focus. |
| background and the person being photographed. | | | | Use an external flash. |
| Ensure that the area in which the person will be | | | | Even though a fair amount of light is provided |
| standing, is free of objects that will affect the | | | | when shooting in the outdoors a flash can be |
| focus of the picture; trees, bushes, rocks. | | | | used to fill in the small areas that create small |
| Do not work in direct sunlight. | | | | unsightly shadows. |
| Working in direct sunlight creates issues that we | | | | Use a reflector. |
| as photographers cannot overcome. Use the | | | | Using a reflector will enable you to use the light |
| natural shade provided around the area as a | | | | provided to fill in or illuminate the areas not facing |
| natural break in the light. | | | | the light. Using different reflectors will allow for |
| Be aware of your surroundings that can affect | | | | light to be uses to effect the skin. A reflector |
| your light. | | | | may be used in conjunction with a flash to give |
| If shooting in an area that is heavy in greenery | | | | the perfect lighting needed. |
| the light reflected will be a serious hindrance to a | | | | If shooting a planned shoot, encourage contrasting |
| proper white balance. If working in an area that | | | | colors be worn. |
| has a hard surface such as concrete, ensure that | | | | If shooting in an area in which the background will |
| the light bouncing off the ground does hinder the | | | | be mostly green have the people being |
| photo shoot. | | | | photographed wear a lighter color or white. |
| Use the right lens. | | | | If shooting people with a brighter background |
| When shooting a person take caution to how far | | | | encourage a solid color. |
| you are away from your subject. The ideal lens | | | | Encourage people not to wear black as it tends |
| to use for portraits would be a 50mm lens. Using | | | | not be a very photogenic color in the outdoors, |
| this focal length enables you to get close enough | | | | unless the portrait is B&W. |
| to give depth without creating distortion common | | | | If you feel this article was beneficial to you please |
| to wider lenses. | | | | visit my website, and sign my guestbook. |