New Portrait Biz » tutorials

Simple Infant Photography Lighting And Portrait Tips

NewPortraitBiz — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:14:27 +0000

This video is a Must See! It’s only 9 minutes and 20 secs long…but filled with golden nuggets of GREAT TIPS!

This video will show you how one of our NPB Pro students creates AMAZING portraits with a super simple set up. Try to say that 3 times fast

Honestly…you’ll be surprised how simple it is and you’ll be able to start creating these Amazing Portraits Too!

Click Play to watch the short video

After you watch the video…leave a comment below!

…and click the “LIKE” button and share the LOVE

Senior Photography Posing And Cropping Tips

NewPortraitBiz — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:52:01 +0000

I wanted to post a short Constructive Criticism Session that we did for our NPB Pro Inner Circle Group. I wanted to post this because it discusses some very important elements you need to use when creating your images.

We discuss Posing, Composition, Cropping and Framing the shot…so it can BE GREAT!

Enjoy the lesson and get out there and use this stuff

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Share some LOVE and click the “LIKE” button below!

Expanding Your Photography Using Digital Photo Studio Backgrounds

NewPortraitBiz — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:11:25 +0000

In this video I wanted to show you how to expand your photography using Digital Photo Studio Backgrounds. I receive a lot of emails from students that say they can’t afford a full studio with professional lights and expensive backdrops. Now with the help of technology and the new digital age that we live in…anyone can get in the game.

In the video below I’ll demonstrate how using these Digital Backgrounds and Props in Photoshop can be super simple.

The Digital Background we used in this video is available in our Digital Creations Club.
Check it out…Here!

Digital Photography Tips Using Photoshop And Digital Backgrounds

NewPortraitBiz — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:27:03 +0000

In this post I wanted to share a studio portrait that one of our NPB students (Carol) created and posted on our NPB forum. I thought it was a great example of how you can create a beautiful portrait using Digital Backgrounds with some basic tools. I think you’ll see after you watch the video

Click Here to check out our NPB Digital Creations Club.

Here’s an example of the finished portrait. Great Job Carol!

How To Add Multiple Digital Backgrounds To Your Workflow – Photoshop Tutorial

NewPortraitBiz — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:02:09 +0000

This is a follow up video to my blog post titled “Learn How To Use Digital Photography Backgrounds – Photoshop Tutorial“.

I received some questions on how to add Digital Backgrounds to the WorkFlow template.

Watch the video below to to see the actual process.

Click Here to check out our Digital Creations Club!

As always…leave your comments below and let me know what you think.

Enjoy!

Photoshop High Key Photography Background Technique

NewPortraitBiz — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:59:02 +0000

Recently I had one of our NPB Students email me and ask how to create a High Key Portrait in Photoshop. So…I decided to create a video demonstrating how you can easily achieve this look using Photoshop.

Keep in mind that you can receive these same results with certain lighting set ups in a studio setting. But…sometimes when you’re first getting started you may not have professional lighting equipment or maybe just need to enhance your High Key shots. This technique will help you achieve those beautiful High Key portraits that you and your clients will love.

Enjoy!

As always…please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. We would love to hear from you.

Scott

Beginners Photography Photoshop Tutorials – Creating Cover Ups

NewPortraitBiz — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:22:05 +0000

In this video I will show you how to create a Cover-Up layer when working with Digital Backgrounds and Props.

Basically a Cover-Up layer is an additional layer that covers the front of the prop in the Digital Creation. We have been using these in our own business and have recently started including them with our Digital Backgrounds and Prop Sets.

Watch the video to understand how these Cover-Up layers are created and work.

If you would like to see more of our Digital Creations…Click Here!

As always…leave your comments below and let us know what you think!

Enjoy!

Get Inspired! How Taking Action Really Works

NewPortraitBiz — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:13:30 +0000

I received this email from Debbie and I wanted to share it with everyone. I think it’s very important to realize that most people have some kind of fears and struggles in life, but the ones that constantly Take Action…will succeed.

I’m not sharing this to brag, just to allow you to see that you’re not alone and everyone experiences some kind of challenges through their journey.

I want you to read this and be inspired for this upcoming year and make the decision Today, that you can do this.

Here’s what Debbie wrote to us on Christmas day.

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Hi Scott

I know its the end of the day on Christmas but I couldn’t let the day go by without sending out a message to you, Lisa & the kids. I hope you all had a great Christmas! Ours was hectic like always, but it was great! George was home this year for Christmas after missing last year while in Afghanistan so that was all worth it.

I want to thank you all for NPB, I have learned so much & improved so much over this past year of owning NPB & being on the forum since its beginning. I could never thank you guys enough for all you do.

I never would’ve thought that over a year ago when I emailed you to ask if you sold your digi images from ebay in sets that it would lead me to where I am now.

You sent me an email back saying that you had “something in the works” about putting a set together & I had no idea what I had stumbled on with finding you on Ebay & sending you that message.

I have gone from doing portraits in my living room using a point & shoot, no lights & a white sheet on my wall & doing maybe 1 or 2 shoots every couple months to owning a studio, (tiny but its a start)owning NPB along with hundreds of other digi BG that I’d bought before.

Now owning a Nikon D40, Alien Bee lights & having 10 clients just in Dec & actually winning 1 weeks group assignment & getting HM on a couple other weeks, doing 2 weddings & a little league baseball team of the cutest kids. I’m still no where near where I want to be but its a huge improvement over before.I hit some bumps in the road & couldn’t get everything you offered this year but plan to catch up on what I can get after the first of the year.

I do need to find out if BizControl is still available to purchase as well.

Its been an awesome ride & I look forward to 2010!

Keep up the great work & know that your extended family here in KY are right there with you!

Luv & hugs to you all!
Debbie

====================================

I hope you feel inspired after reading that and see that it takes, passion, desire and a commitment to yourself and your dreams.

Keep focused!

Scott

How To Remove A Background For Digital Backgrounds And Props – Using Photoshop

NewPortraitBiz — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:31:46 +0000

In this video, I walk you through a simple workflow process for using Digital Backgrounds And Props in Adobe Photoshop. There a many methods and techniques to create cut outs in Photoshop, but this is one of the easier methods.

Adding Digital Backgrounds and Props to your photography business will allow you to offer your clients more choices and not have it cost you a small fortune. Your portrait studio won’t have to store all the backgrounds and props anymore. You’ll just need a bigger hard drive on your computer.

Photography Business Opportunity (No Studio Required)

That’s Right!

You could actually get started without a studio at all using this method. Just go on location with your camera, basic lighting, white background and edit your pictures at your home office. Follow up with a proofing session of the clients portraits. Then….Make Some Sales!

Keep in mind that this does take practice, but if you follow this video and Take Action…you’ll be on your way.

Happy Shooting!

Scott

P.S.

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Digital Photography Tips And Tricks For Better Photos

NewPortraitBiz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:12:22 +0000

Digital Photography is easier to get started than ever. With the explosion of digital technology, taking photos has become relatively easy and inexpensive. The availability of new and larger memory cards lets you take hundreds of photos, gives you instant access and has allowed the average person to view, share or print their shots easily.

If you would like to take your photos from a simple snap-shot to a more professional looking image, here are a few tips to steer you in the right direction.

Tip #1 – Shadows

Shadows can work for you or against you. If you are trying to take a shot outside on a bright sunny day, then the glaring sun can produce a very harsh and contrasty photo.

Having your subjects facing the sun will get rid of shadows but produce the ‘squints’ which make the eyes disappear. Photograph your subjects with their backs to the sun and use either a reflector or your camera’s flash to provide fill light. Avoid angles in direct sun. If you can find shade somewhere, use it but remember you need to adjust your white balance.

On point and shoot cameras there is most likely a setting for ‘Shade.’ Better yet, wait for the golden hours to shoot outside. These are the first and last hour of the day; they are called the Magic Hour for very good reason. Try the early morning sun or early evening when the sun is going down.

Tip # 2 – Backgrounds

Watch what is in the background behind your subject. Having trees and poles coming out of people at various angles can be most distracting. Also having other people walking in or out of the photo or showing objects, such as signs or cars, can detract from an otherwise great shot.

Keep it simple; busy backgrounds will take the viewers eyes from the main subject. If possible, scout out your locations before the shoot.

Tip #3 – Subjects

Make sure you give your subject clear and explicit directions. Showing them where to stand, how to pose and where to look can help you compose the shot you are looking for. Take your time, but within reason.

People have a tendency to lose interest and have trouble maintaining their smiles and poses for extended periods of time. It is good to have some idea before hand of what kind of shots you want and where you want to take them.

If there is more than two people, grouping them to form triangles is a great way to make your photos look more interesting. Remember not to amputate hands, legs or arms at the joints or at awkward angles.

Tip #4 – Candid Shots

When taking candid shots, it is sometimes difficult to make sure you have the shadows right and the backgrounds clear. The subjects will not be posed but instead will be caught in real-life moments. Sometimes these turn out to be the most emotional and exciting photos.
A little blur can give movement, out of focus can add softness to a photo.

Use different angles and lighting. Most of all, take a ton of shots. Use your creativity, you may be surprised at what you captured!

Use every opportunity you get to practice these key elements. Use these tips all the time, engrain them in your memory so you do them instinctively and they come naturally to you; they will take your photos from snap-shots to works of art!

If you would like to share a Digital Photography Tip that you’ve learned, post a comment below.

Happy shooting!