Any Suggestions - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/21/2005 06:08:31 PM · #1

Okay, I'm new here. I just want to say that some of you all are so good, that I'm almost ashamed to put myself into your company. I got my first 35mm camera (Minolta X-370) for my 14th birthday, and I've been taking pictures ever since, but I'm nowhere near as good as you all are. I recently bought an Olympus E-300.

Anyway, I took pictures of a co-worker's wedding last summer. She was very impressed with the work I did. Her daughter and her youngest sister do beauty pageants. Tonight, she asked me if I could do some close-ups of her daughter for a pageant this weekend.

Here's my problem: Human photography really isn't my thing. I don't own any backdrops or fancy lights. I have my cameras and flashes. On my Olympus, I have the flash it came with. Does anyone have any suggestions on lighting when you haven't got much to work with? She's coming to the place that we work, and we have florescent lighting. I was thinking about bringing some regular lamps from home with 100 watt bulbs. What do you guys think?

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/21/2005 06:16:45 PM · #2

Melissa, I am not into portraits, either, and I am certainly no expert, but here is my 2cents worth anyway:
Consider taking her outside if that is possible..... some greenery in the distance always makes a good backdrop.
If you MUST be inside, make sure to shoot raw, it's your best bet for getting the white balance right.
A good flash bounced off a low office ceiling might be enough, or use whatever natural light you have coming in the windows.
If you have no backdrop, pick a plain, neutral wall, and move away from it enough to blur it into insignificance. If you bring in lights, bring in some reflectors (big piece of cardboard, or a silver car shade), too.
Start experimenting a bit before she gets there, so you won't make everyone wait, and YOU won't feel flustered.
Good luck!

tryals15

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm f/1.7

11/21/2005 06:19:43 PM · #3

I don't really have any advice for you, I find myself in similar situations frequently. I'm wondering the same things...

I can tell you that using two different types of lights will produce odd color casts... You might be better off using a reflector, rather than mixing lights... Or shoot for B/W...

11/21/2005 06:23:20 PM · #4

It's going to be dark when I do the pictures, so going outside won't be an option. :( I have some fabric that I might bring in to use as backdrop. I was looking at some of the other pageant pics and some of them look like these kids were photographed in front of bed spreads.

If I was going to do the big piece of cardboard, should I put some aluminum foil over it?

Message edited by author 2005-11-21 18:24:06.

fotomann_forever

11/21/2005 06:27:44 PM · #5

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Yes, get some spray glue and glue aluminum foil to the cardboard. Also, if your going to use the 100 watt light bulbs I suggest using cheap white trash bags as diffusers.

11/21/2005 06:36:14 PM · #6

Trashbags I got! I put them behind the lamp, right?

fotomann_forever

11/21/2005 06:40:32 PM · #7

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Trashbags I got! I put them behind the lamp, right?

Between the lamp and the subject... use only a single layer of the trash bag, so cut it in half. Place that single layer between the lamp and the model. This will make sort of a softbox for you.