Free sample · no sign-in neededLight, contrast, posing and communicating with the client – watch a photographer at work for whom portraits are their daily bread.
In portrait photography you have to learn to watch the small details – the ones that make an exceptional difference in quality. With this video course you don't have to learn studio portraiture on your own from your mistakes; you're guided from the comfort of your home. Simply, practically and above all clearly.
Each chapter comes with analyses and comparisons, and you'll also find detailed lighting diagrams in the course. The course suits complete beginners as well as more experienced photographers who want to uncover the mistakes they keep making.
Contrast
Contrast attracts attention, guides the viewer's eye and creates the mood of a photograph. We'll show you how to adjust contrast ratios in a portrait using reflective surfaces so you never hesitate again.
Quality and falloff of light
It all starts with light. You'll see how light behaves and how to use its falloff to your advantage – in portraits it's mainly the shadows that sculpt.
Posing
A technically perfect photo isn't enough for success. You'll learn to give the client instructions and the two basic principles of posing men and women so that your portraits look good.
What you'll learn
- you'll understand how light works
- you'll master a system for posing the client quickly
- you'll learn what makes a man look good and what makes a woman look good
- you'll know how to light a woman and a man
- you'll understand how to increase and decrease contrast
- you'll learn to shoot the face and the 3/4 figure
- you'll understand which details you must watch while working
Who the course is for
- for anyone who wants to master portraits in the studio
- for photographers who need to gain confidence
- for photographers who can already set up lights
- for those whose work lacks punch
Course content
- 01Introduction
- 02On the quality and falloff of light
- 03How to handle contrast
- 04Posing
- 05Communicating with the client during the shoot
- 06One light – female portrait (2 set-ups, head only)
- 07Male portrait (head only)
- 08Female portrait (3/4 figure, standing)
- 09Male portrait (3/4 figure)
- 10Three lights – male portrait, seated
- 11Female portrait (3/4 figure, seated)
About the lecturer
Antonín Lavrenčík
A professional portrait photographer and lecturer from Prague. He specialises in portrait photography, has been teaching since 2014 and emphasises the practical, hands-on side of teaching. He runs his own studio, Ateliér v továrně, in Prague's Modřany district.
