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 Build a Mailing List as a Photographer 2026
Learn how to build a mailing list as a photographer in , capture quality leads, choose the right tools, and send updates…
How to Apply for a Photography Grant: A Practical Guide 2026
How to apply for a photography grant: find the right funder, frame the project, build an itemized budget, sequence the portfolio and…
How to Enter Photography Contests Worth Entering in 2026
Learn how to enter photography contests worth entering: vet the organizer, read the license terms, pick one strong frame and submit a…
How to Get Your Photo Work Published Online (2026)
Learn how to get your photo work published online in : from preparing files and building a portfolio to pitching editors and…
How to Prepare a Press Kit for a Photo Project (October 2026)
Learn how to prepare a press kit for a photo project: the images, captions, credits, releases and distribution steps editors need to…
How to License a Photo to a Magazine: Easy Workflow (2026)
Learn how to license a photo to a magazine in : choose the usage terms, price the rights, send print-ready files, and…
How to Register Copyright for Your Photographs (2026)
How to register copyright for your photographs in : what proof to keep, which application type to file, how to upload deposits,…
How to Extend Camera Battery Life in the Cold (October 2026)
How to extend camera battery life in the cold: kit lists, power-saving settings, rotation habits and safe charging for winter shoots. Plus…
How to Find Out Who Is Using Your Photos: 7 Ways 2026
How to find out who is using your photos: reverse image search, source tracing and evidence capture, plus a careful follow-up plan.…
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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.