Olivier Ciappa
Portrait and documentary picture-making
Patient light, and the people standing in it
Guides on lighting, editing and gear for photographs of people — written for portrait and documentary shooters, and for anyone who likes looking at a picture closely.
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Latest guides
How to Make Eyes Look Bigger in Portraits (2026) Easy Guide
Learn how to make eyes look bigger in portraits with simple posing, lighting, camera-angle and editing changes that give a natural result…
How to Make a Nose Look Smaller With Lighting in 2026
Learn how to make a nose look smaller with lighting using soft side light, shadow control, camera position, and simple editing adjustments…
Prime vs Zoom Lens for Portrait Work: Which Is Better? 2026
Choose between prime and zoom lenses for portrait work by comparing perspective, framing, autofocus, image quality, portability, and cost.
How to Avoid Squinting in Bright Light Portraits (2026)
Learn how to avoid squinting in bright light portraits with practical shade, posing, prompting and exposure tips that keep subjects relaxed. Updated…
How to Choose a Lens for Environmental Portraits (2026)
Learn how to choose a lens for environmental portraits in by matching focal length, aperture, framing, and working distance to your subject…
How to Get Catchlights in the Eyes: 8 Easy Portrait Steps (2026)
Learn how to get catchlights in the eyes with simple lighting, positioning, and reflector tricks that make portraits look alive and open…
How to Flatter a Square Jawline in Portraits (2026)
How to flatter a square jawline in portraits: camera above eye level, a 30-45 degree head turn, soft narrow side light and…
How to Hide a Double Chin in Portraits: Easy Tips 2026
Learn how to hide a double chin in portraits with camera height, head angle, side lighting, smarter cropping and subtle retouching. Updated…
How to Pose Plus Size Subjects Flatteringly: Easy Guide (2026)
Learn how to pose plus size subjects flatteringly in with base positions, arm shapes, body angles, camera height and lens choices, side…
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Before the shutter opens
Consent, light and honest editing
The sitter is a collaborator
Every guide here assumes the person in the frame knows what the picture is for and can say no to it.
Light you can actually find
Setups are described with windows, one lamp and a bounce card first, so the method survives a room without a studio in it.
Editing that keeps the face
Retouching advice stops where a likeness starts to change, because a smoother picture is not a truer one.
About
What this site is for
This is a reading room for people-focused photography: lighting, editing, gear and project notes, written plainly and starting with portrait and documentary work. It is meant to be useful on a shoot day, which is why the guides stay specific and the pictures stay the point.