Portraits

When shooting British Comedian Frank Skinner, photographer Harry Borden took a lot of photos. It's pretty common practice with a big portrait shoot, especially with someone as expressive as a professional comedian. The interesting part, though, is that Borden later took every frame from the shoot and compressed it into a short video.

Dragging around a background setup can be less than ideal, but Westcott has always gone out of their way to make it easier. Their latest setup is extremely portable and pretty cheap, too.The X-Drop gets its name from the X-shaped support system that holds up the 5' x 7' fabric sheets. It has familiar telescoping legs like traditional light or backdrop stands and weighs less than three pounds complete.

Many decisions go into shooting a single portrait. Often, as we chat with our subjects, we’re not even aware that we’re making choices about framing, subject distance and position, color palette, focal length, lighting, and other elements. But rather than rely on instinct alone, here are some ways to ensure you make the right decision.1. Frame Them Up

Cristina Mittermeier's passport has a lot of stamps in it. Her photography has taken her to the furthest reaches of the world, especially during her tenure as president of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Her photographs capture people in their natural environments, offering unique looks into people's lives and the cultures that shape them. Here, she shares some tips and strategies for making environmental portraits that are both beautiful and powerful.