The ultimate guide to portrait photography

99 years ago, Man Ray photographed Kiki de Montparnasse in the studio, her back facing the camera and her head turned over her left shoulder. A few months ago, that portrait made history as the most expensive photograph ever sold at auction, going for $12.4 million. Portraits have a unique ability to capture a specific… Continue reading The ultimate guide to portrait photography

The power of a background in portrait photography

Ever since Irving Penn first started experimenting with white paper backdrops in the 1940s—and later, an old, repurposed theater curtain from the 1950s—portrait photographers have been pushing the boundaries of what backgrounds can look like. Far beyond the scope of the conventional, artists on 500px have found new ways to use traditional studio items—such as… Continue reading The power of a background in portrait photography

Portrait Special: The Light of Life

    In unpredictable lighting situations, wait for your subject to turn towards the light. Photograph/Anirban Brahma     Ambarin Afsar discusses how to control and experiment with the one element that breathes life into every photograph—light. Regardless of whether you are shooting indoors or outdoors, light can make or break your portrait. There are… Continue reading Portrait Special: The Light of Life