Jeff Smith's Guide to Head and Shoulders Portrait Photography

ground foliage in the distance. Position the subject with foliage in the fore-
ground and several points of focus in the background to add realism and depth.
(For more on outdoor portraiture, look to my booksOutdoor and Location
Portrait Photography, 2nd Ed.;Jeff Smith’s Posing Techniques for Location Por-
trait Photography; andJeff Smith’s Lighting For Outdoor and Location Portrait
Photography[all from Amherst Media].)

Moving Ahead.

Background selection is an important part of the head and shoulders portrait.
It coordinates with the clothing to help establish the overall look and style of
the images—and it helps you develop the look and style that will fulfill the de-
sires of your client. Once the backgrounds for a session are selected, the next
consideration is the lighting that will be used.

36 JEFF SMITH’S GUIDE TO HEAD AND SHOULDERS PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Shooting diagonally into a row of columns

provides both a foreground and a back-

ground.