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07/21/2008 06:56:55 PM · #1 |
Hey guys, I have a question...I'm going to be doing a few outdoor shoots soon (one is just for my family (4 adults,1 infant) and the other is a friend who wants me to get some shots of her dogs)..BUT I'm not too sure about proper set up for the pictures....how far away do I stand, if there is trees or something behind them how far away should they be, do I make it so the sunlight is directly behind me, etc etc. I know for the pictures of the dogs it will be a little different,because you can't say "stand here and don't move a muscle"..lol
Just looking for some basic tips because I'm not exactly experienced at any of this
Thanks in advance :) |
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07/21/2008 07:30:08 PM · #2 |
It dependes what kind of photos do you want to make and what gear do you have.
Generally I'll get them off any place where the sunlight cut in to the trees bacause it will cause a lot of shadows due to some light be retained in the leaves and some will pass trough then causing a huge diference in light.
For portraits I would put the subject in the shade, or better shoot at sunset (1 - 1 1/2 hour before the sunset) to have a nice difuse light. I would use a tele, put the light meter in focal, meter in the face and take the shoot.
a lot to do out there...
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07/21/2008 07:34:47 PM · #3 |
The dog shots really depend on the dogs :) They may be very well trained and sit and stay when commanded. If they are, get yourself a squeaky toy to keep their attention when snapping :)
On the other hand, if you are shooting with the dogs on the fly, use a fast shutter and be prepared to get down on the ground to shoot at their eye level. Fire away because you may catch something that happened and you didn't even notice at first.
The portrait shots, I agree with the above, move to a shaded area and bring along a reflector, you will be a happier person for it.
Most of all, have fuuuuun!!
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07/21/2008 08:30:34 PM · #4 |
Thanks :)
now..stupid question...what's a reflector and how do I use one? (can I make my own or is it something you HAVE to buy?)
The only equipment I have other than my lens' is a tripod and a remote..
For lens' I have 18-55mm and VR 70-300mm.. |
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07/21/2008 08:33:42 PM · #5 |
You can buy sheets of white foam core almost anywhere for about a $1.00.
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07/21/2008 08:39:04 PM · #6 |
| The longer the lens you use the better. I don't know how old the baby is but you may be limited if you are trying to get the he/she to look and/or smile. Ideally I would use some thing like 150, just not more than 200. If that's the case, defintely use your tripod so you don't have camera shake and double check the focus to make sure its not back focused. |
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07/21/2008 08:43:01 PM · #7 |
The trypod won't do you any good in that situation.
i would stick with the 70-300mm, close to the 200mm area for portraits. The VR can help you out if the light become dim, but~even with VR I would not go anywhere below 1/100 sec as your subject might move.
A reflector is something that you can use to bounce light back at your subject. if you go to the shade the light might be too soft and omnidirectional, and you might loose some tridimensionality of the pictures. If you use a reflector and bouce some light back, for example to the face, or one side of the face, you will recover a tridimensional look of the photo.
You can buy a reflector (the most common ones are circular, and they fold for portability) or make one yourself. For example a white cardboard might do the trick, or a regular card with alluminium foil glued to it. If you use alluminium foil (the type you use to cover food is good enough) to build the reflector wrap it up first or smash it, so you can get a lot of wrinkles, to soften the light a bit.
just experiment and have fun.
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07/21/2008 08:48:00 PM · #8 |
| Have a look through this thread. not only does he cover placing the family, but also lighting in the outdoors. good luck! |
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07/21/2008 08:50:23 PM · #9 |
you know what i use as a reflector?
call me cheap
but i use those windshield covers for cars, you know the shiny big things? it works for me and hey, they came with the car so yea... |
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07/21/2008 09:41:36 PM · #10 |
| thanks,you guys are awesome :) |
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07/21/2008 11:33:57 PM · #11 |
| Hey again, I (stupidly) forgot my reflector one time and made one in a pinch with a cardboard (sturdy one) box and just elmers glued some aluminum foil to it. Not ideal, but will get you through in a pinch :) BONUS: They are flexible!!!! hehe |
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