Going out to shoot portraits tomorrow..

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/11/2008 12:57:08 AM · #1

Any tips? I've done one shoot before, but this will be entirely different, I'll be mostly inside and I'll be working with the dSLR instead of the P&S (YAY!). But is there anything big compositionally or anything that you notice that I should do differently?

Thanks!

Message edited by author 2008-07-11 00:57:29.

Katmystiry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

07/11/2008 01:05:52 AM · #2

I like some of your outside photos, but quite a few have a green tint to them. What kind of lights will you be using for your inside portraits?

ben4345

Nikon D700

07/11/2008 01:16:52 AM · #3

I'd say, 2 things to start with that may help. Fill flash and cropping.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/11/2008 01:45:21 AM · #4

Originally posted by Katmystiry:

I like some of your outside photos, but quite a few have a green tint to them. What kind of lights will you be using for your inside portraits?

Mostly lights from windows, I might bring some kind of something that could be used as a reflector...not sure what yet, lol! I'm thoroughly broke at the moment, so no lighting equipment yet.

The green tint may be a result of the camera. The oversharpening definitely is...

Message edited by author 2008-07-11 01:46:22.

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/11/2008 01:48:44 AM · #5

Here's what I recommend:

1) Since you are going to be inside, watch underexposure and blur. If you are using strobes or flashes, read the incident light as well as the strobe and/or flash exposure. Expose for the subject first, but don't kill the background.

2) Poses... If you have time, look at as MANY portraits and similar style shots as possible, and memorize some of your favorite and/or best looking poses. Just look at the subjects pose. Look at the eye's, head tilt, shoulder tilts etc.

3) Take as many shots as you can. You won't be able to re-create the exact same moment in the future, so keep taking shots until your time is done. Try different poses and different angles.

With portraits, you are capturing the subjects emotion, make sure you capture that.

So really, focus and work with the lighting. If you don't have any lights, well, you might be in a bit of trouble if you are shooting in low-light areas.

Also, shoot RAW. Not sure if you don't already do this, but this is a must. Things like the White Balance, which were a bit off from your first photo-shoot in the mountain trails, need to be fine tuned in post-processing.

The greenish hue is due to incorrect white balance. So make sure you shoot RAW so you can always perfect it.

I'll try to post more in the morning.

Best of luck,
-AC

07/11/2008 08:01:45 AM · #6

Ohhhh what lovely advice! I really appreciate it. I will have pics up on picasa and post the link here by around 3 EST or so...

07/11/2008 02:24:04 PM · #7

Here's basically all the shots I took...and I mean ALLLL. Straight from camera, no PP...

She was an amazing model! She's such a happy happy person and she's really comfortable with who she is and everything. So fun to work with!!!

Hmm...technique...well I decided to shoot a few right at 18mm (I'm using the 18-55mm lens, the kit one) and it really suited her, I thought, so there's a lot like that. I used flash on a few, I don't know how to do fill flash (only using the in-camera flash) so I sometimes shot with my hand over the flash, sometimes with a white piece of paper to bounce, and sometimes straight on...the straight on ones only worked at 18mm, the others had weird shadows. (Examples: flash at 18mm, flash at 53mm)

I'm pretty pleased (and shocked, lol, this was not what I was expecting) with how things turned out! I'd love to hear y'all's opinions too though, I'm sure there's a few things I'm missing. (Still not sure about the 18mm flash ones...I suspect they have technical issues but I can't decide what!)

ETA: Another album full of edits. Nothing fancy, hue and saturation, a little healing brush, some crops...

Message edited by author 2008-07-11 21:28:15.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

07/11/2008 11:47:04 PM · #8

ka-bump :)

JulietNN

Canon EOS R7

07/12/2008 12:04:06 AM · #9

there are a couple of really good shots in there. what lens did you use. if you notice on some of them, the closer you got the bigger her nose became and the squintier the eyes became. You also have the light coming in directly behind her on some shots , so that will make her in the shadows completly, work the other way around!

it was a good try for your second time, well done. and some of your non model shots are really great.

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

07/12/2008 01:13:07 AM · #10

Originally posted by JulietNN:

Hey, thanks! I was using the kit lens -- 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II.

I did a few like that on accident, and they suit her personality (done by shoving the lens set at 18mm right into her face), so I did some more! :)

Thanks for taking a look!

StOlafPhotographer

Nikon D200

07/12/2008 04:46:16 PM · #11

Hey I think you have some really nice shots but I would recommend staying away from using the wide angle of your lens and try to go as close to 55mm as you can. The closer an object is to the lens the larger it will get and at 18mm your already gonna have a bit of distortion. Other than that great job on your second shoot! :) Keep going and I look forward to seeing more of your work!

Evan

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/12/2008 04:51:36 PM · #12

Originally posted by JesiLynR:

I might bring some kind of something that could be used as a reflector...not sure what yet, lol! I'm thoroughly broke at the moment, so no lighting equipment yet.

Stop in at a craft/office supply store and spend $2-$15 on a bit of white foamcore whatever size you think you need.