The portrait is undoubtedly one of the most popular photographic practices, especially because it does not require specific equipment to start. Discover all the techniques and tips to improve your shots.
In this file, we are going to approach the outdoor portrait under different aspects, from the choice of material to the implementation. You will learn how to manage natural light, but also how to use fill flashes (artificial light) to create special atmospheres with your model. You will also discover techniques for highlighting a face, a look, working with light and of course shadows, playing with the depth of field and therefore selecting the right lenses to create harmonious blurs.
We will also invite you to discover the work of photographers whose work has particularly seduced us, as well as some readings to go further in the discovery of this photographic discipline.
Material / optics
Find below the tests of a selection of lenses generally used for portraiture. Whether you're shooting outdoors or in the studio, portrait lenses are bright and have a focal length equivalent to or greater than 35mm.
Canon mount
to read also: 16Test : ZoomCanon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM: a compactness that in no way detracts from its qualities
Announced at the end of October after the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM and RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM, the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is the lens that...
2 years ago to read also:Quiz: Objective
Tamron SP 70-200 mm f/2,8 Di VC USD G2
Tamron took advantage of CP+ 2017 to launch the second version of its 70-200mm f/2,8 in the SP range. A bit like with the recent 150-600...
4 years ago to read also :39Test: Fixed focal length
Canon RF 50mm f/1,2L USM: consistent sharpness
The Canon RF 50mm f/1,2L USM is the second lens available in the RF mount compatible with the EOS R mirrorless. After a transst...
3 years ago to read also :39Test: Fixed focal lengthCanon RF 50mm f/1,2L USM: consistent sharpness
The Canon RF 50mm f/1,2L USM is the second lens available in the RF mount compatible with the EOS R mirrorless. After a transst...
3 years ago to read also :6Test : ZoomTamron 35-150mm f/2.8-4 Di VC OSD: versatile portrait zoom
Available in Canon EF and Nikon F mount, we had to test the Tamron 35-150mm f/2.8-4 Di VC OSD in Nikon F mount, but on a hyb...
2 years agoFuji film mount
to read also: 15Test: Fixed focal lengthFujifilm Fujinon XF 50mm f/2 R WR: for portraiture
Designed for Fujifilm X-mount hybrids, the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 50mm f/2 R WR is a suitable lens for portrait lovers...
4 years ago to read also:Quiz: Objective
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56 mm f/1,2 R
This Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f/1,2 R is equivalent to an 85mm (conversion coefficient due to the APS-C sensor). It is composed of 11 lenses...
7 years ago to read also:Quiz: Objective
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 90 mm f/2 R LM WR
This lens with a maximum aperture of f/2 is equivalent to a 135 mm lens in 24mm format. These characteristics make it particularly suitable for...
6 years agoMicro 4/3 mount
to read also:Quiz: ObjectivePanasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42,5 mm f/1,2 ASPH
Panasonic is taking advantage of CES 2014 to confirm the arrival of its all-new 42,5mm f/1,2 (announced last August), an ultra-bright...
7 years ago to read also:Quiz: ObjectiveOlympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45 mm f/1,2 PRO
The new 45mm f/1,2 M.Zuiko PRO from Olympus is the second fixed focal length from the manufacturer to offer an ultra-bright f/1 aperture,...
4 years ago to read also:Quiz: ObjectiveOlympus M.Zuiko 45 mm f/1,8
Presented concomitantly with the 12mm f/2, the M.Zuiko 45mm f/1,8 fixed focal length features a rather attractive design with a sleek style, a...
10 years ago to read also :2Test: Fixed focal length
Sigma 56mm f/1,4 DC DN Contemporary: great performance at a low price
Unveiled at Photokina 2018, the Sigma 56mm f/1,4 DC DN is the sixth lens in the DN range and the third to offer a very...
2 years ago
Nikon mount
to read also:Quiz: ObjectiveNikkor AF-S 70-200 mm f/2,8 E FL ED VR
This is the third version of this zoom, which is a staple for many photographers, and the perfect companion to a 24-70m...
4 years ago to read also :30Test: Fixed focal lengthNikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1,4E ED, the ultimate portraitist
After the 24, 35, 50, 58 and 85 mm, the AF-S Nikkor 105 mm f/1,4E ED joins the less and less closed club of Nikkor FX lenses (24 x 36...
5 years agoSony mount
to read also :106:30Test: Fixed focal lengthViltrox PFU RBMH 85mm F1.8 STM Sony E: good finish and solid sharpness
The Chinese photo prop company Viltrox is no longer content with its favorite segment, but offers lenses for So...
1 year ago to read also :19Test: Fixed focal lengthSony FE 135 mm f/1,8 GM : simplement excellent
By unveiling the technical specifications of its 135mm f/1,8 a month ago, Sony promised high-level optical quality and ex...
2 years ago to read also:Quiz: ObjectiveSony FE 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS : un télézoom premium
Belonging to the G Master range, which should ensure extreme sharpness as well as very beautiful bokeh effects, the Sony G Master FE 70-...
4 years ago to read also :2NEWS: Fixed focal lengthTokina atx-m 85mm F1.8 FE lens: portrait for Sony mirrorless cameras
The Japanese firm announces the marketing of the fixed focal length atx-m 85mm F1.8 FE, an interesting lens for portraits. Equipped with...
1 year ago to read also:Quiz: ObjectiveSony FE 90 mm f/2,8 Macro G OSS
6 years agoTutorial - shooting
to read also: 14NEWS: Digital CameraPortrait photography in natural light
Portrait photography is generally approached using two very different methods: photographing on the fly, reportage style,...
6 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoOutdoor portraiture 1: managing natural light and location
The outdoor portrait is for many photographers the opportunity to achieve magnificent images without the financial constraints...
6 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoThe outdoor portrait 2: working on your light
Today we are continuing our series dedicated to outdoor portraiture. After seeing two weeks ago how to manage contra...
6 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoOutdoor portraiture 3: using flashes
Third part of our series dedicated to outdoor portraiture. After having seen how to manage natural light and the choice...
6 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoOutdoor portraiture 4: directing a model in an environment
After being interested, in the first three parts of our dossier devoted to outdoor portraiture, the choice of location and the g...
6 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoThe outdoor portrait 5: organize a team session
In our previous articles, we have covered the essential technical notions when practicing outdoor portraiture...
6 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoThe portrait in high key
The exact opposite of *low key* photography that we suggested you discover in a previous tutorial, the practice of high key...
4 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoLe portrait in low key
After a series of tutorials devoted to the use of reportage flashes, we continue our exploration of shooting techniques...
4 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoThe portrait while traveling
If it seems logical and relatively easy to come back from vacation with a memory card full of landscape and architectural photographs...
5 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoThe portrait in the sun
If we've already shared our tips for enjoying times of the day like golden hour and blue hour, it's going to be bad...
5 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoThe backlight portrait
Sometimes considered a technical error, backlighting is a shooting situation that amateurs strive to...
5 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoPlaying with shot scales in portrait
If, as we mentioned in a previous photo exercise devoted to the aesthetics of close-ups and very close-ups, the term "shot"...
4 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoThe portrait on a cloudy day
If the studio is the favorite place of many photographers for the practice of portraiture, the outdoors often offers conditions...
6 years agoTutorial - retouching
to read also: 4NEWS : PhotoPhoto tutorial – Photo editing of portraits with the "split frequency" method
Skin retouching in portrait photography is one of the most important techniques to acquire for the beginner photographer. For a ren...
2 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoRetouch your portraits the wet collodion way
The wet collodion photo technique was popularized, among others, by the Spanish photographer Nadar. Let's try to find the spirit...
4 years agoGo further
to read also: Photo inspiration NEWS : Photo Inspiration photoPhoto inspiration: the encounters of Jean-Baptiste Pellerin
If we have long chased the #backtothestreet to find out who was hiding behind the photo collages that punctuate the streets...
1 year ago to read also:NEWS: PhotobookPhotobook: 1 model, 50 portraits by Mark Wilkinson
More particularly intended for beginner photographers who wish to improve their portrait techniques, this book is a real...
1 year ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoCombining sports photography with portraiture
While sports photography can sometimes be the prerogative of photographers with expensive telephoto lenses, it is possible to get closer...
4 years ago to read also:NEWS : PhotoThe timeless portraits of Pierre Gonnord
Youth is fashionable, in the noblest sense of the term. She takes shape. In a few weeks, the Portrait(s) de l...
4 years ago
