Unlike location shooting, studio work presents many challenges for photographers. It is not as simple as aiming and taking the perfect shot. There are many elements that factor into taking quality studio portraits in Brooklyn NY. To ensure that your portraits are looking your best, Ten Ton Studio has put together a list of tips for enhancing your studio photo shoots.
1- Use the Right Lens
In order to take high-quality studio portraits in Brooklyn NY, you will need to be acutely aware of which lens to use. There is a lens dedicated to every photographic scene. For instance, a 35 mm lens can let you photograph an entire scene without standing too far back. The problem is that it has a stretching effect, and it could potentially distort the final image. The stretching effect is a common issue with the wide angle lens. So how do you avoid this issue? To avoid distortion, try using a short, telephoto lens. This lens’ type has a softer focus and guarantees that the audience will be drawn immediately to the subject, as there are no glaring distractions from the backdrop.
2- Look at your Height
The distance between you and the subject is not the only factor to consider when getting your subject “photo ready”. Height needs to be balanced as well. Since most portraits look pristine when shot at the eye level of your recipient, you will need to find a workaround. This might mean slightly bending down or getting on one knee. In other cases, a step-stool or ladder could be useful for boosting your height. All in all, it’s about shooting from the right perspective. If the perspective is off, then the entire portrait will not work.
3- Consider using a Light Meter
While in-camera metering is a valuable tool, it does not consider multi-light setups, making it harder to get your exposure or background lighting down on the first shot. By using a light meter, it will take the headache out of lighting setup as the tool helps photographers capture the near-perfect image tone. The light measuring device is a surefire way to know if an image is either overexposed or underexposed.
4- Customize your White Balance
Digital White balance allows photographers to adjust the camera settings so that the colors of the image are seen naturally, without being affected by the color radiating from the light source of the scene. Customizing the white balance is necessary because without it, colors in the images will take on warm or cool tones that could come up while photographing. The phenomenon is sometimes referred to as color cast. Our eyes and brains are proficient at “white balancing” out unnatural hues. Yet, a digital camera only captures what is there, and the final image will ultimately not meet your expectations. Manual white balance is often needed for complex scenes. Thankfully, many modern digital cameras are equipped with an abundance of manual white balance modes to fine-tune the colors, and it also saves you time on other tasks like post-processing.
5- Ensure that the Background is Complementary to the Subject
Long before the shoot commences, coordinate with your client about their dress attire and if it goes well with the purpose of the photo shoot. More often than not, conservative colorways are the preferred choice over loud, flashy colors. The outfit should boost the subject’s photo presence, but not enough so that it takes away from their face. The background should not conflict with the attire color and design. If for any reason conflict with the background arises, try adjusting the color or type of background if possible.
Take Stellar Studio Portraits in Brooklyn NY with Ten Ton Studio
Studio portraits in Brooklyn NY can be difficult to set up, but by following these tips, it will truly make for an exhilarating experience, allowing you to tap into your uninhibited creative freedom. Ten Ton Studio is happy to accommodate your next photography session. Please see our studio services. For more information on booking studio time, contact us today!
