3 photo tips to outdoor Portraits

We have all been there, a client reaches out for you to do a photo shoot at high noon and they are clear that it's the ONLY time they can do it. I am going to share with you a few tips and tricks I use to get the best photo possible in the WORST case scenario.

1. Bring Diffusers and hire an assistant. This is the by far the best method in creating rich light in harsh conditions. A diffuser can be anything it's just something the light can pass through in order to... you guessed it, diffuse and create a cloud like effect.

2.) Fill-Flash. I know what you are thinking "But I don't know how to use a flash!" Don't think of it as something that changes all of your settings but rather fills in the gaps of what your settings already are. If you are using AV, TV, or ETTL well you're screwed and I suggest learning more about your camera but for all of you who have jumped on board the M train let's dive in. Say you are shooting at high noon and you keep blowing out your background. You're setting are probably around ISO 100 F4 with your shutter speed maxed out, right? Next time try bumping your shutter speed way down say like 1/80 and your ISO at 100 with your F stop at f11 or even f14 THEN add in your flash.

Start out at 1/128th with whatever length lens you are using if you are using 35mm set your flash accordingly. Then from there it's really a fine game of blending the flash with the ambient light ( Ambient light is controlled by your shutter speed) and the power of your flash which is controlled by the f stop. This allows you to change the light on your subject without changing the ambient light levels which is crucial for great outside portraits.

3. If those other 2 methods don't work for you just find shade, Whether it be cast by trees, buildings, signs, clouds whatever. I waited for a cloud and was able to achieve these results.

Like all great things that happen with photography be patient and wait for the right moment!

See ya next time

-Matt Congdon