In the last blog we talked about the importance of having a clean, uncluttered background. Generally speaking, I think that should apply to any photo taken. If you are taking a selfie for business purposes, it is even more important. Really looking at what you have in the frame of the phone camera is what will be reflected in the photograph after you hit the shutter button. Another point we discussed is getting up close and personal. Fill the frame with you! After all, isn't that what a selfie is all about? Take the photo from the bust up. Now that you have your business attire on and you have found the perfect location, let's talk about the LIGHT! Photographers love the light. We seek light in a variety of ways. Sometimes we must create light and other times the light comes from the beloved yellow orb high in the sky. This light can be powerful and harsh. So you must be cautious with it. Light is essential for clarity in creating clean photography.
There are 2 times a day that photographers refer to as the "golden hour." They are shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the daylight is softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. ALL THINGS LOOK STUNNING IN THE GOLDEN HOUR. ALL! Whatever you do, stay away from photographing yourself at high noon because that is when the sun is the harshest and is creates hard shadows. This is not good in my world. Sun streaming through your windows at home can be quite beautiful. Start watching it now. Every evening I look forward to watching the setting sun at home to see if I can capture an interesting photo. It is exciting to me and being that we live where the sun can be elusive, we take full advantage of it when we see it. Which brings me to my next point, when the sun doesn't shine.
Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, I can write a few books about what to do when the sun doesn't shine. You quickly learn
that life goes on anyway. While it can be cumbersome taking photos in the pouring rain, it need not be necessary unless one has the proper equipment to ensure ones professional camera does not get damaged. What we can do is think about planning a session on an overcast day which is actually ideal lighting for a portrait. It's basically mother natures studio in action. The lighting is easy on the skin and eyes and allows one to relax and not have to worry about the sun. Start studying that type of lighting right now and see what you think. It truly is equivalent to being in a professional studio with equipment that is designed after the temperature of natural light.
There are 2 times a day that photographers refer to as the "golden hour." They are shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the daylight is softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. ALL THINGS LOOK STUNNING IN THE GOLDEN HOUR. ALL! Whatever you do, stay away from photographing yourself at high noon because that is when the sun is the harshest and is creates hard shadows. This is not good in my world. Sun streaming through your windows at home can be quite beautiful. Start watching it now. Every evening I look forward to watching the setting sun at home to see if I can capture an interesting photo. It is exciting to me and being that we live where the sun can be elusive, we take full advantage of it when we see it. Which brings me to my next point, when the sun doesn't shine.
Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, I can write a few books about what to do when the sun doesn't shine. You quickly learn
that life goes on anyway. While it can be cumbersome taking photos in the pouring rain, it need not be necessary unless one has the proper equipment to ensure ones professional camera does not get damaged. What we can do is think about planning a session on an overcast day which is actually ideal lighting for a portrait. It's basically mother natures studio in action. The lighting is easy on the skin and eyes and allows one to relax and not have to worry about the sun. Start studying that type of lighting right now and see what you think. It truly is equivalent to being in a professional studio with equipment that is designed after the temperature of natural light.
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