1 HOUR
The Brenizer method is the brainchild of renowned wedding photographer Ryan Brenizer. It’s sometimes referred to as the bokeh panorama, owing to the wide frame and super shallow depth of field that characterizes the style of these images.
Bokeh panoramas boast shallower depths of field than are achievable with a wide-angle lens, and give APS-C and full-frame users the ability to produce portraits with a large-format aesthetic. The key to this technique is to use a fast telephoto lens to achieve the characteristic portrait depth of field and constant camera settings that won’t change between frames to create a seamless blend.
Once you’ve settled on a white balance preset, locked your exposure, and used AF to focus on your subject, you need to switch to manual focus so as not to change your point of focus as you begin to shoot your panorama sequence. Exactly how many photos you take is down to personal preference, but we recommend overlapping each frame by around 30% to ensure you don’t leave any gaps.
Photoshop makes it easy to blend your sequence by automatically merging your images together. You then simply need to check the blend for any inconsistencies, and crop as desired. If you like the idea of creating a wide portrait with a super-shallow depth of field, here’s how to shoot and edit your own bokeh panorama…
HOW TO SHOOT A BRENIZER
QUICK TIP
You’ll find it easier to shoot on a day with consistent sunlight or even cloud cover. Patchy clouds can make light conditions change between shots, which will make it harder to blend the images seamlessly.
This story is from the September 17, 2020 edition of Photography week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 17, 2020 edition of Photography week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
POLAROID I-2
With full manual controls and a huge price tag, is this instant camera worth the big bucks?
HOW TO...GO MONO WITH PROFILES
James Paterson shows you how to create brilliant black-and-white images with ease using Profiles
UNDERSTAND COLOUR THEORY
Adam Waring takes you back to art class with a primer in colour theory
MEET THE YOUNGSTER WITH A EYE FOR A WINNING PHOTO
Jamie Smart won a top contest aged just eight, and she's only just getting started
FAMILY BUSINESS
Pro portrait photographer Catherine O'Donnell passes on her top tips and techniques for capturing sponateous and engaging family photos in the studio
TTARTISAN'S MONSTER ZOOM IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR DSLR
Affordable 500mm f/6.3 is released in Canon EF and Nikon F mounts
SONY FE 24-50MM F2.8 G
A compact standard zoom with compromises
HOW TO...BOOST RAW PORTRAITS
James Paterson shows you how to use the Develop Persona in Affinity Photo to enhance portraits
INFRARED ON A BUDGET
Mike Harris shows you how to shoot infrared images without investing in a costly camera conversion
THE ONLY WAY IS UP FOR THESE AERIAL PHOTO ACES
SkyPixel contest showcases stunning stills and video captured using drones