Portrait photography - must haves?

[MarionSWV]

My daughter wanted me to shoot her senior portraits. They came out great and now her friends are asking and it's turning into something way more than we expected. she accompanies me, and we have a lot of fun and laughter, and some of the shots are hilarious. I'm trying really hard to keep ahead of the learning curve (my kit is simply a Canon T3 with a 50mm 1.8 lens and a flexible reflector set that creates laughs but gets a great bounce or shade http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-43-Inch-Collapsible-Multi-Disc-Reflector/dp/B002ZIMEMW) Sometimes I play around with the wide angle if the setting works for it and the teen is flexible, but mostly the 50 stays on since the shooting is fairly tight.

As winter approaches, I'm finding the paler light to be more of a challenge to make more flattering skin tons (gold reflector can only do so much) and the skies are washing out. I want to make the blues pop (maybe the wrong angle) and work with the washing out of the light.

Also, looking for things I should be considering either purchasing or considering as the shots move indoors as well (I have a couple of family holiday shots booked too.) Any recommendations you have, I would greatly appreciate. I want the kids to be happy with what they get.

 

[jkjond]

The kit isn't that important. If light is low, then you need to add more from somewhere - more suitable time of day, reflectors, flash, lights.

Do a youtube search on Sue Bryce. there are loads on there, many of which say the same things over and over, but her approach to settings and V-flats may be of interest to you. What she does best and what her reputation is build on is recognising beauty. She has a knack of bringing the best out of her subject and understands nuances of expression - and how to extract those from her sitters.

 

[MarionSWV]

The kit isn't that important. If light is low, then you need to add more from somewhere - more suitable time of day, reflectors, flash, lights.

Do a youtube search on Sue Bryce. there are loads on there, many of which say the same things over and over, but her approach to settings and V-flats may be of interest to you. What she does best and what her reputation is build on is recognising beauty. She has a knack of bringing the best out of her subject and understands nuances of expression - and how to extract those from her sitters.

 

[dad_of_four]

As winter approaches, I'm finding the paler light to be more of a challenge to make more flattering skin tons (gold reflector can only do so much) and the skies are washing out. I want to make the blues pop (maybe the wrong angle) and work with the washing out of the light.

Not to mention their skin will be paler because of less exposure to sunlight, and people will be less comfortable when cold, bundled up, look clammy, etc. I might suggest you think about waiting for the Spring for outdoor photos

 

[MarionSWV]

Oh glory, I would love to - these are senior portrait photos with a Thanksgiving deadline. And I've tried talking them into warmer clothing, or inside shots, but kids will be kids and need to see examples of what's going on in the shot before they'll agree. All the ones I'm shooting now are last-minute sallies or kids who can't afford a $1,200 photographer and love my candids. Portraiture work is so very different, I am learning. The kids who I did shoot this summer, all have wonderful glow, are very lively, and are willing to play in the shots.

I do love that I am learning a ton.

 

[Paulmorgan]

My daughter wanted me to shoot her senior portraits. They came out great and now her friends are asking and it's turning into something way more than we expected. she accompanies me, and we have a lot of fun and laughter, and some of the shots are hilarious. I'm trying really hard to keep ahead of the learning curve (my kit is simply a Canon T3 with a 50mm 1.8 lens and a flexible reflector set that creates laughs but gets a great bounce or shade http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-43-Inch-Collapsible-Multi-Disc-Reflector/dp/B002ZIMEMW) Sometimes I play around with the wide angle if the setting works for it and the teen is flexible, but mostly the 50 stays on since the shooting is fairly tight.

As winter approaches, I'm finding the paler light to be more of a challenge to make more flattering skin tons (gold reflector can only do so much) and the skies are washing out. I want to make the blues pop (maybe the wrong angle) and work with the washing out of the light.

Also, looking for things I should be considering either purchasing or considering as the shots move indoors as well (I have a couple of family holiday shots booked too.) Any recommendations you have, I would greatly appreciate. I want the kids to be happy with what they get.

Get yourself a color checker passport and a light meter, these should be at the top of your list, to start with it helps if your getting good accurate exposure and good accurate color and wb.

Bung in a few cheap Yongnuo 560`s, a set of cheap wireless triggers, a couple of stands and flash brackets and add in a few modifiers, these days I use a selection of rogue stuff as reviewed here.

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[daviddavis71]

I recommend staying away from the wide angle. It distorts people. The 50 is great. Someone else mentioned the Yongnuo which is a great idea combined with a shoot through umbrella and stand.

 

[MarionSWV]

I recommend staying away from the wide angle. It distorts people. The 50 is great. Someone else mentioned the Yongnuo which is a great idea combined with a shoot through umbrella and stand.

 

[Paulmorgan]

I recommend staying away from the wide angle. It distorts people. The 50 is great. Someone else mentioned the Yongnuo which is a great idea combined with a shoot through umbrella and stand.

 

[daviddavis71]

I recommend staying away from the wide angle. It distorts people. The 50 is great. Someone else mentioned the Yongnuo which is a great idea combined with a shoot through umbrella and stand.

 

[MarionSWV]

Thanks for checking out my photos. Those shoots are always fun. Most of it is trial and error. Working with speed lights was one of the more challenging elements. I had no idea where to start. I found the Strobist blog - strobist 101 and 1-2 (both free) very helpful. I also took a lot, a ton, at least 500 selfies with lights, umbrellas and other modifiers. Take some shots, review on computer, make adjustments and repeat. It made for a fun winter project.

David

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/hail2pitt/
instagram: @theangleatwhichwesee

What a cool idea. My daughter is more than willing (too willing sometimes!) to be a subject; have never thought of using myself. Thank you for referring me to the blog, too. There is so very much I need to learn, and so very little time. Wish I didn't have a full time job, but then again, I do have to pay for all these fun toys.

 

[MarionSWV]

Used creatively wide angles can be good but lens choice should be the least of your concerns at this stage.

rofl you aren't kidding. Most of my portraits are on the 50mm, which I am adoring for portraits (aps-c format) I'm feeling naked lately if I don't have that lens with me; it's weird how natural it's become to move for the shot, rather than zooming.

Here are a couple of tutorial video`s from Joe Brady, he goes on about expensive flash meters and triggers and these are not needed but there good video`s none the lease.

These are great - thank you so much for the referral. This looks like it will be fun to play with, and far more accurate than working with the raw files.