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Home » Lessons

Lesson 1: Camera Basics, Motion and Lenses

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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We start the course off with some camera basics and terminology. This may be a review for you, or it could be new information. In this first lesson, we’ll cover: ISO: What is it? What does it control? Shutter Speed: what is it, what does it control? How to calculate how slow you can go…

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 1 Introduction

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this introductory lesson, you’ll meet your instructors Darlene Hildebrandt and Bruce Clarke as they go through what to expect from the course material. The course outline is available for download in PDF format.

Lesson 2: Elements of Composition and How to Use Them to Take Better Photos

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this second lesson you will learn all about various elements of composition, why it’s important, and how to use them to create more dynamic images. Some of the things you’ll learn and see examples of include: The Rule Guideline of thirds Leading lines – vertical, horizontal, diagonal and curved Color – warm, cool, analogous,…

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 2 The Exposure Triangle

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this lesson we cover the 3 key elements that make up exposure, commonly known as the exposure triangle. They are the ISO, the aperture and shutter speed. Learn what each one is and how they each affect your image. Then, learn how to use them each in combination for the best possible photograph under any lighting condition or situation.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 3 Metering

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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Learn about your camera’s meter and how to use it in this lesson. Learn the difference between reflective and incident metering, how much light is the right amount of light, 18% gray, using a gray card, reading a histogram and how to use exposure compensation to adjust for gray. You’ll also learn what to do in two dreaded situations, back lighting and a bright background.

Lesson 3: All About Light

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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After a quick review of White Balance and Color of Light, you will learn about severap aspects of light to help you know how to recognize “good” light, and how to use it to create better photos. Quality of Light – soft versus hard Direction of light – including how to use it to create…

Lesson 4: Low Light and Night Photography

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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Low Light & Night Photography In this, your fourth and final lesson you will learn about low light and night photography including: Equipment for night photography Camera settings Starting exposures for different night scenes – cityscapes, sparklers, neon lights, starry nights, star trails, fireworks, campfires and light painting People photography Does the thought of photographing…

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 4 Focus

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In a portrait, you want to make sure you get clear focus, so there’s a few settings I recommend. In this lesson, you’ll learn some of the settings you can use on your camera to help get sharper images. We discuss drive mode, autofocus, continuous focus, auto mode and autofocus area.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 5 Properties of Light

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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There is no right or wrong type of lighting, only the most appropriate for the subject and look you want to achieve. By arming yourself with information and knowledge about light, you’ll be able to reproduce the results you want consistently. In this video lesson, you’ll learn about color of light, setting your white balance for portraits, the direction of light and qualities of light.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 6 Equipment for Natural Light

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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There is very little you need in order to do portraits with natural light. In this lesson, we walk through the various items you absolutely must have and a few optional items.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 7 Lighting Patterns

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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There are four common lighting patterns used by portrait photographers and in this video we learn about them. Split, Rembrandt, loop and butterfly.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 8 Lighting Ratios

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this lesson you’ll learn about lighting ratios and how it determines the contrast and overall look of your portrait. You’ll see how to measure the lighting ratio using a handheld meter, what ratio to use for your portrait and how to create it.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 9 Angles

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this lesson you’ll learn about angles. Angles of the face on your subject, otherwise known as facial view, the angle of the camera in relation to your subject and angles of your subject’s body. You’ll also see how to place your subject’s body in relation to the light for the best portrait.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 10 Overview of Working with Flash

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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A brief overview of working with flash on and off camera. Understand why you would use it as well as the pros and cons of on and off-camera flash.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 11 The Power of Flash

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this lesson you’ll learn about the Inverse Square Law and how to control your background using flash. You’ll learn about controlling your background using the inverse square law, how to increase the amount of light by knowing your f stop rules and more about how the exposure triangle relates to flash and having two exposures to consider.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 12 Basic Flash Mechanics

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this lesson you’ll learn about basic flash mechanics. Get to know everything about your flash including TTL vs Manual mode, flash exposure compensation, adjusting your flash settings, sync speed and high speed sync mode.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 13 Getting to Know Your Speedlight

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this lesson your become really familiar with your speedlight and be more comfortable with your flash. You’ll learn about the latest Canon and Nikon flashes, transmitters, modes and dials, flash exposure compensation, custom functions, zooming your flash, rear curtain sync, high speed sync, rotating your flash, flash stands and batteries.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 14 Maximize One Flash On-Camera

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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Direct on-camera flash isn’t the best alternative when introducing flash into your portrait but after this lesson, you’ll be able to use one flash in the best possible way.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 15 Equipment for Off-Camera Flash

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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Bruce goes through a selection of flash gear that you will either need for lighting your portraits, or would be good to have.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 16 Setting up Speedlights for Off-Camera Flash

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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Now that we’ve seen the equipment needed for off-camera flash, Bruce will show you how it all gets put together for use. You’ll learn about using sync cords, infrared triggers, radio technology and why each is used. In addition, you’ll come to understand light stands, flash modifiers, how they are used and the effect each has on your portrait.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 17 Indoor Shoot With a Model – Natural Light

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this on location portrait shoot using natural light you’ll learn about finding the direction of light, choosing a good background that suits your needs and determining the quality of light.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 18 Indoor Shoot With a Model – Off-Camera Flash

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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For this lesson, Bruce takes the same scene Darlene used for natural light and introduces flash for a different result. See how an indoor photo shoot for a portrait is setup with multiple speedlights

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 19 Indoor Business Portrait Shoot

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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Watch and learn as Bruce demonstrates a two light portrait setup for a business portrait in indoor location. You’ll see how to build your flash setup one light at a time, how to meter for multiple flashes and calculate lighting ratios as well as using a softbox and reflector.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 20 Outdoor Portrait – Part One: Natural Light

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this lesson, Darlene demonstrates an outdoor portrait shoot using natural lighting. You’ll learn about finding quality light, how to find shade at midday, things to avoid in your backgrounds and tips for working with groups or families.

Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 21 Outdoor Portrait Part Two: Off-Camera Flash

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: August 24, 2019

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In this second part of the outdoor portrait shoot, Bruce takes over from where Darlene left off and shows us how to use off-camera flash to make up for limited natural lighting or other outdoor lighting issues.

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