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Meet our portrait experts • All our portrait experts are regular contributors to Digital SLR Photography magazine. for further advice and inspiration to help you improve your photo skills, pick up the latest issue, available on the second Tuesday of every month. for more information, visit: www.digitalslrphoto.com

The basics of exposure • Our jargon-free guide about exposure provides everything you need to know to get to grips with apertures and shutter speeds

SHARPNESS AND EXPOSURE • WANT TO LEARN HOW TO TAKE GREAT PORTRAITS? THEN LET’S GET BACK TO BASICS. YOUR FIRST STEPS ONCE YOU’VE SET UP YOUR CAMERA CORRECTLY SHOULD BE IN MAKING SURE YOUR PORTRAITS ARE EXPOSED CORRECTLY AND FOCUS IS SPOT-ON…

Focusing for perfect portraits

How to expose for portraits

Popular ways to take control of exposure

COMPOSITION • A VITAL PART OF PORTRAITURE RELIES ON GREAT COMPOSITION. IT CAN ADD DYNAMISM, ENERGY AND GIVE A WHOLE NEW TAKE ON AN ORDINARY SNAP. LEARN TO VIEW THE WORLD IN A DIFFERENT WAY, SEEING OPPORTUNITIES WHEREVER YOU MIGHT BE SHOOTING

The basics of good portrait composition

BACKGROUNDS

SHOOT AT A SLANT

DAYLIGHT CONTROL • ONE OF THE TRICKIEST ASPECTS TO MANIPULATE IS DAYLIGHT. IF YOU’RE SHOOTING PORTRAITS OUTDOORS, SOME CLEVER ACCESSORIES WILL HELP YOU OVERCOME THE ISSUES THAT DAYLIGHT CAN PRESENT. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…

The basics of daylight portraits

SHADE

Choosing and using lighting aids • They're not glamorous by any means, but lighting aids are a mainstay in the portrait photographer's arsenal of tools. While being relatively inexpensive, reflectors and diffusers make a major difference to how light falls on your subject. Here are the basic facts and techniques you need to get to grips with when using lighting aids

DIFFUSERS

THE BASICS OF FLASH • DOES FLASH LEAVE YOU FEELING FLUSTERED? FEAR NOT! WE’VE ENLISTED THE EXPERTISE OF A NUMBER OF TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHERS TO HELP COVER THE BASICS OF SHOOTING GREAT PORTRAITS USING FLASHGUNS. YOU’LL FIND IT’S A LOT EASIER THAN YOU MIGHT THINK AND YOU’LL NOTICE AN INSTANT IMPROVEMENT IN YOUR RESULTS

The basics of flash photography • The modern flashgun is a portable powerhouse packed with a range of sophisticated functions. Be sure to know how to get the best from it

Essential flash kit • Your flashgun is a sophisticated and versatile lighting tool but it's the modifiers that determine the lighting effect. Here we cover the main accessories you need to get the very best results

Introductory flash techniques • There are numerous ways to light a subject with flash. Here are a few easy but effective methods

SOFTBOX LIGHTING ON A BUDGET • Professional portrait photographer Paul Ward shows you how to capture softly-lit portraits using nothing more than a flashgun and a bed sheet. Intrigued? Turn the page…

COMBINE FILTERS & FLASH • Mixing flash with daylight, while still retaining attractive background bokeh, may sound complicated but photographer Jordan Butters shows you a little trick that allows you to do all three…

HOME STUDIO PORTRAITS • Got a few minutes? Caroline Schmidt shows you a simple but effective off-camera flash technique that will have you capturing attractive and dramatic portraits in no time

PORTRAIT WORKSHOPS • NOTHING BEATS HAVING AN EXPERT ON HAND TO PROVIDE HELP AND ADVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT, AS DIGITAL SLR PHOTOGRAPHY READERS DISCOVERED IN OUR PORTRAIT PHOTO WORKSHOPS

FAMILY PORTRAITS • Orchestrating a photoshoot for a family of four and simultaneously keeping your cool isn’t easy. Pro photographer and Nikon UK ambassador Kate Hopewell-Smith teams up with reader Elizabeth Keates to help her work her magic as...