portrait challenge

Since some of you were asking about that picture I took of Crew (see May 18th post), I thought I'd go ahead and share all my deep secrets. Kidding. No secrets. SO easy. Have a favorite blanket or even an old sheet? Tape it to a wall or drape it over a chair. I hung this blanket from our countertop in the office and temporarily secured it on top with tape (or you could use a pile of heavy books or something).

Put your subject in front of the blanket, but not right against it. Bring him/her toward you a couple feet (or more, if room allows).



Then zoom in and start shooting.



See? No real secrets. Oh, except natural light is a MUST. The window is behind me, so all that light on Crew is completely natural. You don't want to use a flash for portraits. Here's another favorite blanket. Same concept.





So here's my challenge to you: If it's been a while since you've taken a nice portrait of someone you love - your child, your pet, a friend's kid, a friend, even your husband ... do it! Go for a walk, get outdoors, do some fun & candid shots outside. But give the indoors a try, too. All you need is a backdrop, a camera, a willing subject, and the desire to snap away.

Of course it's a bonus to have Photoshop for a little digital editing with your images when you're done snapping. : )