The Art of Portraiture Photography

Bringing quality portrait photography into your practice can offer far more than better diagnostic information, it offers substantial marketing opportunities for your practice.  Learn how to set up studio style lighting in your office no matter how little the SPACE and BUDGET you have.  Using studio lighting (softboxes, umbrellas, beauty dishes, etc.) vastly increases the lighting options offered by on-camera flash systems.  In addition to setting up the strobe lights correctly, another challenge to the beginning portrait photographer is how to pose the patient.  Learn the posing techniques that create beautiful portraits that showcase your dentistry.

Last Reviewed: 07/29/2012

Disclaimer: No commercial support was received for this course.

1. Describe modern studio lighting set-ups.
2. Understand the principles of fill flash and how light modifiers work.
3. Learn smart decisions on what to use and buy for the space in your office.
4. Understand how to shoot portfolio-grade images.
5. Learn the posing techniques that create beautiful portraits that showcase your dentistry.

I.    Introduction to the equipment for portraiture photography

II.    Studio lighting

III.   Backgrounds

IV.    Diagnostic photography

V.     What to use and buy for the space in your office

1.    Grey, Christopher. Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers. Amherst Media, Buffalo, NY: Amherst Media; 2004.
2.    Ratcliff, Steve. Digital Dental Photography: A Clinician's Guide. Key Biscayne, FL: The Pankey Institute; 2004.
3.    Kelby, Scot. The Photoshop Elements 5 Book for Digital
Photographers. Indianapolis, IN: New Riders Publishing; 2006.
4.    Huefner, Norman. Digital Portrait Photography Basics for Cosmetic
Dentists. Laguna Niguel, CA; 2006.
5.    Freeman, Michael. The Complete Guide to Digital Photography. A Lark
Photography Book; 2005.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:

Better Portrait studio:

3 Elinchrom Digital Style 300RX Flash System 300 Watt/Second Monolight (used as key / main lights)
3 Chimera Quick Release Speed Rings for Elinchrom Digital Style Monolites (connectors between strobe and softbox)         
2-3 Light stands to support strobes (if 2, then order the wall mounting arm)
1 Mathews™ baby plate with 5/8” stud (wall mount for hairlight if not mounted on lightstand)           
2 Chimera™ 24-inch by 32-inch shallow throw softboxes with baffle and 2 Diffusers   
1 Elinchrom Reflector and Grid Set - includes: 8.25" Reflector, 8, 12, 20, 30 Degree Round Honeycomb Grids     (attached to the hair or background monolites - collimates the light)
1 Savage Port-A-Stand Kit    - Seamless backgrounds (recommend black, or gray backgrounds - extra) with support

Cheap and simple version:
Elinchrom        BXRi 250/250 To-Go 2 Monolight Kit (90-260VAC)
2- 250 Ws Monolights
Skyport Radio Slave Transmitter
2- 26x26" Portalite Softboxes
9' Light Stands, Case
Sync Cords, Monolight Case
1 Savage Port-A-Stand Kit    - Seamless backgrounds (recommend black, or gray backgrounds - extra) with support