{"id":74247,"date":"2019-01-15T18:00:46","date_gmt":"2019-01-15T18:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fujifilmnxtc.wpenginepowered.com\/stories\/10-tips-for-perfecting-on-location-portraits-2\/"},"modified":"2019-01-15T18:00:46","modified_gmt":"2019-01-15T18:00:46","slug":"10-tips-for-perfecting-on-location-portraits","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/stories\/10-tips-for-perfecting-on-location-portraits\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips for Perfecting On-location Portraits"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">1. Choose the right location<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Good locations are safe places to shoot that in some cases are close to amenities like a coffee shop and a WC. They have a variety of interesting backgrounds to work with and have some top cover, too. Good locations include country parks and urban areas in need of regeneration.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">2. Plan for the weather<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Rain doesn\u2019t stop me shooting. I place clear food bags over my flash heads to keep them dry. Choose styling items and accessories like hats and gloves for the person you are shooting to keep them warm, if required. I find that, even on a sunny day when I\u2019m working in the shade near tall buildings, the wind can be quite chilling so bear this in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-5.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"wp-image-58704\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-5.jpg\" alt=\"Image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-5.jpg?width=2000 2000w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-5.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-5.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-5.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=682 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">An underpass in Manchester in the rain is a perfectly good shoot location. I just used the light that was available for this shot of Zara.  FUJIFILM X-T1 | XF16mmF1.4 | F1.4 | 1\/125th | ISO 400<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">3. Travel light<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The less kit you take the fewer decisions there are to make. I often shoot with just one lens on one camera body. It simplifies the shoot and keeps the picture style consistent.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">4. Practice, practice, practice<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">I find that I need about three shoots a week to keep my photography evolving and improving. It is practice that delivers the experience needed to be relaxed and confident. This air of confidence relaxes sitters and it shows in the pictures.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-2.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" class=\"wp-image-58705\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-2.jpg\" alt=\"Image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-2.jpg?width=1500 1500w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-2.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-2.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-2.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=683 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Even a hedge can be a location with the right forethought. I bought the yellow dress from Primark and the red bag was Mischkah\u2019s. Strong colours can work well together. It\u2019s not often I use a central subject placement but it works here.  FUJIFILM X-T1 | XF35mmF1.4 | F4 | 1\/180th second | ISO 200<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">5. Purpose<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Understand exactly who the shoot is for. Are the pictures for you or the person in the picture? Perhaps you are shooting for someone else entirely; a magazine picture editor or a company website designer. Have the user of the images in your mind throughout the shoot and you will find yourself tweaking the mood, expression and poses to suit their needs. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">6. Prepare your camera<\/span><\/b><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Adjust your Fujifilm camera\u2019s JPEG settings to give you as close to the final look of shot you want. Don\u2019t say \u201cOh I\u2019ll fix that in post\u201d. If you are planning to present the images in monochrome but want to shoot colour too, switch the camera to a monochrome Film Simulation but shoot RAW and JPEG so you can have the best of both worlds. With the right settings for the look you want set in the camera you can take control of the shadow detail, highlights and exposure. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-1.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"wp-image-58706\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-1.jpg\" alt=\"Image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-1.jpg?width=2000 2000w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-1.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-1.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-1.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=682 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">We were sheltering from the rain when I took this portrait on a railway platform. The coat acts as a sort of protection and evokes a vulnerability that is met by the full on confident look.  FUJIFILM X-Pro2 | XF35mmF1.4 | F1.4 | 1\/500th second | ISO 200<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">7. Start with the end in mind<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">If the shot is going to be published as part of an editorial, leave space for text. If it might make the cover, shoot in portrait orientation and leave space for the title. If it is for social media think square. If it is to be printed on art paper, give the shadows an extra stop of exposure etc. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">8. Keep the shoot fun<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Even if you are shooting serious portraits, have fun between the set ups. For a lot of people, being photographed is like going to the dentist. Give your subject something to laugh about and the whole experience can become fun. A better rapport will express itself in the depth of the pictures.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-3.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" width=\"1333\" height=\"2000\" class=\"wp-image-58707\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-3.jpg\" alt=\"Image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-3.jpg?width=1333 1333w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-3.jpg?width=200&amp;height=300 200w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-3.jpg?width=768&amp;height=1152 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-3.jpg?width=682&amp;height=1024 682w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Once you have a \u2018banker\u2019 it\u2019s time for some creative fun.  FUJIFILM X-T1 | XF18-55mmF2.8-4 | F4 | 1\/125th second | ISO 800<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">9.<\/span><\/b><span lang=\"EN-US\"> <b>Connection is everything<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"> If you have eye contact in the photograph make the expression engaging. Pull the character from the sitter into the lens. If you don\u2019t have eye contact in the shot (many of my portraits are profiles), consider using a long cable release or the Fujifilm Remote App to trigger the camera. Set the camera on a tripod, focused and framed correctly, then move yourself into the eye line of your subject, create the moments you want to capture and take the shots remotely.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\">10.<\/span><\/b><span lang=\"EN-US\"> <b>Work together<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Body\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Share the images you shoot with your sitter as you go so you can both have input into the creative process.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-4.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" width=\"1333\" height=\"2000\" class=\"wp-image-58708\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-4.jpg\" alt=\"Image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-4.jpg?width=1333 1333w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-4.jpg?width=200&amp;height=300 200w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-4.jpg?width=768&amp;height=1152 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/10-tips-4.jpg?width=682&amp;height=1024 682w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">I love profile portraits like this one of Alicia as they draw the viewer in. We shot this in the entrance foyer to a museum as it was really windy outside.  FUJIFILM X-T1 | XF56mmF1.2 | F2.8 | 1\/500th | ISO 400<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. Choose the right location Good locations are safe places to shoot that in some cases are close to amenities like a coffee shop and a WC. They have a variety of interesting backgrounds to work with and have some top cover, too. Good locations include country parks and urban areas in need of regeneration. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":58703,"template":"","category":[2427,2084,1202,2378,2329,1251,565],"post_tag":[],"b2b-solutions":[],"class_list":["post-74247","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-type-stories","category-be-inspired","category-category","category-shot-on-x","category-tips-category-stories","category-type-stories","category-stories"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"fujifilm_category_label":"Tips","publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-10-05 16:44:36","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story\/74247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category?post=74247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_tag?post=74247"},{"taxonomy":"b2b-solutions","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/b2b-solutions?post=74247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}