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I love shooting outdoors. Maybe it's a crutch, but the availability of so many things to make posing easier is really nice. Lean on this wall, sit on these stairs, put one foot on this rock, etc.

A hundred pictures of a bush in the background isn't good, but brick or stone walls, wood structures like fences, gazebos, bridges make great backgrounds. Throw in some early morning or late afternoon sun - mmm, you have to love that!

Here are two photographers whose Flickr streams have outdoor portraits that I envy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakig/2996711115/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/little_pooky/

I love shooting outdoors. There is a time and place for studio lighting, and I use that, as well. I just enjoy the challenge of modifying the light nature throws my way. There are people who look beautiful in a studio, and those who look the most like themselves outdoors. It takes all kinds.

Here's a few of my outdoor shots that I don't think I could have captured the same way in a studio:
http://s475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/leegee01/Portfolio/?action=view&current=Anonymous.jpg
http://s475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/leegee01/Portfolio/?action=view&current=Ella1.jpg
http://s475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/leegee01/Portfolio/?action=view&current=30minute-3.jpg
http://s475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/leegee01/Portfolio/?action=view&current=Thompson-6.jpg

I don't have a studio, or lights, so I do outdoor environmental portraits. I prefer them in many ways. I suppose the argument can be made that they are snapshotty. I can appreciate a great studio portrait as well. There aren't very many great portrait artists around in my area though. Just the usual McStudios in Wallyworld, Sears, and Olan Mills, a couple of wedding photographers who do some studio work, and a few home grown photographers who do some mediocre work from their spare room. Of the above, I prefer outdoor casual portraits, hopefully in a location that means something to the subject. Here is one I am fairly happy with.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12604020@N05/2847792181/

And another (equal time for the grands, lol)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12604020@N05/2707281995/

But I would like to know more about doing studio work, and may set up to learn it one day.

"Professional" outdoor portraits?

What do you think of "professional" outdoor portraits?

Most of them I dont like them at all. Noisy Back grounds of some random bush or something dont do it for me. Even well made i dont like them.

Do people do them as they dont have a studio or lighitng or because they like them?

Enviromental portraits I get, like a fruit seller at their fruit stall, non enviromental i dont get at all.

If you have one your happy with or that might change my mind can you post a link please, im happy to be corrected and expect some abuse.......


thanks perki, nice!