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04/26/2006 10:08:36 PM · #1 |
People are my absolute favorite things to photograph. What I'd like to do is compose here a list of things that can improve portraiture. I still am just starting out and would like the opinions of people with experience and also those who are just starting out what they have learned too.
The areas I'm really interested in improving are:
Lighting - What makes for really good lighting, be it dark and expressive or light and detailed.
Equipment - I'm using a basic P&S and feel limited by it, what inexpensive means are there to improve my images?
Eyes - This is a big one, I am taken aback by some people's abilities with capturing them.
Examples of extraordinary ones are:
Arti-Elvi 
DrAchoo 
And anything ever taken by Librodo.
How do they get so much luminence, rich bold colour and detail into those?
Post Processing - What's a good way to make your photos better without overdoing it? Specifically, eye whites, skin tones & smoothness, using levels & curves, dodging/burning and cloning
Cropping - What works well, how do you know what is best for your subject?
It would be great if anyone who reads this could contribute a little something they've learned along the way, as well as links to helpful sites, etc.
This could become invaluable to people like me who really want to learn how to take great shots.
Thanks!
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04/26/2006 10:11:07 PM · #2 |
| I haven't watched it but JayWalk posted a video tutorial in this thread that he said was good for portraiture. |
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04/26/2006 10:27:09 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by mk:
I haven't watched it but JayWalk posted a video tutorial in this thread that he said was good for portraiture. |
Thanks, it looks good, I'll give it a watch when I get some time. : ) |
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04/26/2006 10:33:39 PM · #4 |
Eyes...let your subject look at something bright so that you get the required catchlight....that's the first (especially for me who never shoot in the studio). Then enhance it in Photoshop:
Two ways...you can use shadow/highlight in Ps (just select them using the marquee tool) or use dodge and/or burn (3-7% ).
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04/27/2006 03:31:00 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by librodo:
Eyes...let your subject look at something bright so that you get the required catchlight....that's the first (especially for me who never shoot in the studio). Then enhance it in Photoshop:
Two ways...you can use shadow/highlight in Ps (just select them using the marquee tool) or use dodge and/or burn (3-7% ). |
What would you suggest for the bright object and how large should it be? Would you just hold it by the camera?
Thanks so much for helping! |
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04/27/2006 03:53:34 PM · #6 |
Im ALL EARS!! IM doind a Senior setting in about 4 weeks!! and ill tell you what this picture has got to be on of my Favorits!!
and this is some good work so crisp and clear and the colors just pop out at you and shake your hand.... sorry you get the point....
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04/27/2006 04:07:36 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Givemeashot:
and the colors just pop out at you and shake your hand.... sorry you get the point.... |
Most likely a fairly good adjustment on the curves gave the color so much pop in this image. But mostly look how the good Doc has used light in this image.
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04/27/2006 04:11:30 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by moniepenny:
Originally posted by librodo:
Eyes...let your subject look at something bright so that you get the required catchlight....that's the first (especially for me who never shoot in the studio). Then enhance it in Photoshop:
Two ways...you can use shadow/highlight in Ps (just select them using the marquee tool) or use dodge and/or burn (3-7% ). |
What would you suggest for the bright object and how large should it be? Would you just hold it by the camera?
Thanks so much for helping! |
If it's candid/uncontrolled then have an expanse of open sky behind you. If it's studio/outside controlled then either a reflector or some poster board. Size depends on the effect you want and how close you can get it. where you put it depends on shot and effect. If it's a headshot then have the subject hold it under their chin but out of the frame.
Message edited by author 2006-04-27 16:13:03. |
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