ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITS

Learn to make tricky lighting, colour and backgrounds work and capture dramatic environmental portraits in any location

Shooting portraits in the studio is a well-established method of capturing images of people under controlled lighting. A studio is a safe space for photographers and offers access to bespoke lighting and backgrounds. You can move your lights around at will, alter the intensity and direction, focus or widen the spread and easily modify how much light hits the surrounding background elements. You even have the ability to control the ambient temperature and have access to unlimited food, drink and shelter from the weather. So why would anyone want to take their photoshoot outside or into another 'alien' environment?

On the other hand, the studio might not necessarily feel safe and comfortable to your subject. You might be familiar with it and it may provide the opportunity to surround yourself with every possible item of kit you need, but to the person being photographed, it can be an intimidating place, which brings about a sense of vulnerability.

This emotion rarely encourages the most honest expressions and posture, and can lead to uncomfortable, wooden poses. In this case, it might be more appropriate to capture them in a place with which they are familiar. In other circumstances, you may be called upon to photograph a subject for an editorial purpose in a location that better communicates their story.

When you find yourself in an unfamiliar setting you have to be prepared to manage unpredictable lighting, reduce unsightly colour casts and eliminate peripheral distractions in the location to make the background complement your main subject. Let's take a closer look at how to prepare for the unknown and be ready to capture stunning portraits anywhere at any time.

Use overcast lighting

Capture outdoor portraits under flat but softer natural light