7 Tips for Gorgeous Outdoor Photos!
7 Tips for Gorgeous Outdoor Photos!
Who hasn't taken outdoor portraits at some point in their lives? Consider the following: if you go on a walk with your camera and accompany family or friends, you will sooner or later end yourself capturing portrait photographs, either individually or in groups of people.
Being equipped with a decent camera does not guarantee that you will capture a fantastic photograph, as we must consider a variety of other aspects that are not directly related to the camera, such as lighting and composition. In this post, we will look at a series of suggestions to bear in mind the next time you want to snap a photograph outside, in order to obtain far more surprise outcomes.
1. Seek for shade and stay out of the direct sun
In many cases, we get the impression that portraits turn out better in the sunlight because we have lighter available. However, the fact is that, in most circumstances, taking photographs in the shadow provides more than enough light for the images to come out correctly, and there are also a number of advantages to taking photos in the shade that make the results generally better.
In situations when the sun is projected directly into the face of the person we are photographing, it is usual for the application of light to throw undesired shadows on the face itself, which detracts from the quality of our photography. Furthermore, depending on the angle at which the light is shining in relation to the subject of our shot, it might induce pain, causing our model to adopt ugly faces as a result.
Placing our figure in the shadow will make the light softer and more diffuse; nevertheless, it is important to ensure that the shade is uniform across the scene. For example, if we lay the model beneath the shade of a tree, the light may flow through the leaves in an uneven pattern, resulting in areas of light and areas of shadow on the surface of the model.
This variation in light between the different sections of the face might result in a significant tone contrast in the face, therefore attempt to keep the shadow as uniform as possible if at all feasible.
2. Make the most of cloudy days when possible
Clouds are the most effective diffuser available. As I previously stated, we have a tendency to believe that placing our subject in the light will make for a better picture; yet, as we have seen, the shadows cast in this position are harsh and unpleasant to the subject.
To prevent this, we might seek shelter in the shade or walk outside to photograph people on a gloomy day. The clouds will function as a massive diffuser, making the light considerably more homogenous and softer as a result of their presence.
3. Don't Forget the 5-in-1 Reflector
The 5-in-1 reflector is a photography item that should not be missed. It is not only one of the most versatile materials, but it is also one of the most affordable. This addition allows us to change the illumination both indoors and out, which is really convenient.
If the place where you are shooting your pictures does not have much shade, a reflector will assist you in filling in the shadows on the face as well as softening the light through the diffuser portion of the reflector.
4. Think about bringing an external flash with you
An external flash is another type of lighting device that may be used to boost the lighting of our outdoor portrait photographs. A flash will assist us in softening the contrast between light and shade that may be present on our model’s face, as well as in highlighting it and distinguishing it from the surrounding scene. As an added bonus, it will allow us to have a good exposure for both the backdrop and the face of our subject.
5. Make use of natural reflectors to your advantage
Sometimes all you need to do is pay attention to the circumstances around you in order to get the most out of them. There are several natural and manmade items that can be found in the outdoors that can be used as a natural reflector if you look hard enough.
What we will do with them, as with any form of reflector, is to make the transition between lights and shadows more gradual than it would be otherwise. Take use of natural reflectors such as a white wall, beach sand, water, a white car or truck, or even snow, which are all excellent choices.
6. Experiment with a shallow depth of field
When we photograph a picture outside, no matter how gorgeous the location is, the main goal for the photography is to capture the model's likeness. This implies that it is recommended to distinguish it in some manner from the rest of the elements in the shot, and one effective technique to do so is to experiment with the shallow depth of focus.
Working with a f / 2.8 or f / 4 aperture, we will be able to make our subject stand out against the background clearly. In addition, you may take advantage of the bokeh effect by using big apertures on your camera. With its origins in Japanese culture, the term "bokeh" is used to describe to the aesthetics of the regions of focus produced by a lens that has a short depth of field when taking a shot.
By taking the photo at a certain distance from the background and using an aperture that allows our background to be out of focus, we can take advantage of color combinations in the background to create a very pleasing appearance in our composition without detracting from the main subject of the photo.
7. Make Use of Long Focals
As a photographer, you have probably observed that when you use a lens with a very short focal length, such as using an angular lens, perspective is distorted, making our subject appear unusual because his head looks to be bloated, or that your body appears to be much broader than it really is.
If we want to create unique and amusing results, we should utilize this sort of lens. However, if you want a portrait in which the proportions of the face are preserved and the subject seems attractive, you should choose focal lengths that are more than 50 mm.
Not only will the subject not be deformed when using these long-focal lenses, but the perspective compression will also make it stand out from the backdrop and boost the blur of the background bokeh when using these lenses.
