Portrait Photography

About this course

This introductory course examines the challenges of photographing people and the factors that shape portrait lighting, including direction, intensity and quality. It covers composition, backgrounds and managing light in different situations, from candid and environmental portraits to corporate, formal and ceremonial work. Participants explore natural light, artificial light, reflectors, retractors, on-camera flash and speedlight accessories. The course also addresses combining natural and artificial light, with location shooting included as part of the portrait photography practice.

What you'll learn

• Assess how the direction, intensity and quality of light affect a portrait
• Use natural light and artificial light, including speedlights, for portrait photography
• Combine natural and artificial light with reflectors and retractors
• Apply compositional and background choices to portrait images
• Photograph candid, environmental, corporate, formal and ceremonial portraits

Is this course right for you?

Listed at Beginner (A1), the course is presented at an introductory level for learners exploring portrait photography. It covers photographing people in varied settings, including candid, environmental, corporate, formal and ceremonial portraits, alongside location shooting.