Mastering Portrait Photography

Paul Wilkinson FBIPP FSWPP is a multi-award-winning international photographer, an ambassador for Graphistudio, Elinchrom and Pixellu, as well as a judge, trainer, speaker and author in the photography industry. He hosts the popular Mastering Portrait Photography podcast, where he chats about life, the universe and all things portrait photography.Sarah Plater began experimenting with film photography over 15 years ago, transitioning to digital as it became more affordable. She then spent three years working at a high street photography studio, before leaving to concentrate on natural light portraiture. She has written for several popular photography magazines.

Mastering Portrait Photography: The Definitive Guide for Photographers, newly updated by Paul Wilkinson and Sarah Plater, sets out to guide readers through this intricate balance with a clear, structured approach that’s ideal for those at the start of their portrait journey.This new edition refreshes one of Ammonite Press’ bestselling titles, offering an accessible overview of the fundamentals: composition, exposure, lighting, posing and post-production. Wilkinson and Plater write with clarity and enthusiasm, emphasizing that great portraits are created through patience, empathy and a genuine interest in people.The book’s strength lies in how it breaks down the essentials of portraiture into digestible sections. Beginners will find plenty of practical advice here, from choosing the best portrait lens and light source to directing a subject naturally and building rapport.Ultimately, this is a book for photographers who are learning the ropes or refining their early technique. It’s about mastering its classic building blocks that help you feel confident before moving on to develop your own style.

• Introduction Chapter 1 Equipment 8 Cameras 10 Lenses 12 Accessories 14 Lighting 16 Chapter 2 Technical Skills 20 Exposure 22 Aperture 26 Shutter Speed 30 ISO 32 Metering Modes 34 Shooting Modes 38 Focusing 40 Chapter 3 Lighting 42 The Role of Light 44 The Color of Light 48 Natural Light 50 Window Light 52 Direct Sunlight 54 Shade 56 Overcast 58 Golden Hour 60 Portable Flash 62 Studio Flash 68 Chapter 4 Locations 74 Getting The Most From Any Location 76 Indoor Portraits 80 Studio Portraits 82 Natural Locations 84 Buildings & Urban Locations 86 Environmental Portraits 90 Chapter 5 Composition 92 Use & Scale 94 Formats 96 Rule of Thirds 98 Golden Spiral 99 Angle & Viewpoint 100 Crop 102 Visual Balance 104 Space 106 Eye Contact 108 Lead-in Lines 110 Background Patterns 111 Frames 112 Chapter 6 Posing 114 Interacting With Your Subject 116 Creating Expressions 120 Posing Guidelines 124 Posing Women 126 Posing Men 130 Troubleshooting 134 Groups 135 Clothing & Accessories 138 Chapter 7 Working with Children 140 From Kids to Teens 142 Chapter 8 Postproduction 152 The Role of Postproduction 154 Workflow Essentials 156 How To Stay Creative 168 Glossary 171 Index 173 Acknowledgments 176