Portrait Advice...

Hello agian guys, I come to you for advice. I have never claimed to be a good photographer, but where I lack the most is in the portrait area, which means I blow. Anyway, I am going to shoot pictures of a female friend this weekend as practice, I thought I would show you some stuff I have done, and ask for some words of wisdom. Thanks in advance, once agian, I warn you I suck dealing with people.



That BTW, is the only D60 shot, rest were shot with my EOS-3







I think you get the trend, Im sorry I have made you look at these god-awful pictures. But I could use your help. So, help me please!!!

Will

NOOOOO TEXT

Will,

Best advice is to have fun and let her know it's just practice...that's how you learn.

Since it's going to be portraits, I'd get in fairly close and have a shallow depth of field.

Remember, since it's digital, you can always apply little touches to make her look even better after you snapped the picture (such as the one I posted below). Some may say this is not 'pure' photography, but they can do it their way and you can do it your way.

If the color turns out bad, print them in B&W! ; }

Good luck...

Bart
http://www.thedigitalshutter.com

Will Riggs said:

Hello agian guys, I come to you for advice. I have never claimed
to be a good photographer, but where I lack the most is in the
portrait area, which means I blow. Anyway, I am going to shoot
pictures of a female friend this weekend as practice, I thought I
would show you some stuff I have done, and ask for some words of
wisdom. Thanks in advance, once agian, I warn you I suck dealing
with people.



That BTW, is the only D60 shot, rest were shot with my EOS-3







I think you get the trend, Im sorry I have made you look at these
god-awful pictures. But I could use your help. So, help me
please!!!

Will

Click to expand...

I am new at portrait photography & am trying to learn all that I can. My first two attemps have been okay, and I have learned from two sessions. I think it is the lighting that looks so flat in your portrait work. It looks to me like you've got a flash, on the shoe, pointed at your subject. If so, there are no shadows, which add modeling & debth to your subject.

If you can, get that flash off the camera. Use multiple flashes. Bounce the flash off a all, to bring bounced & softened light more from the side. Be careful with side lighting so that you do not have nasty nose shadows.

Two light sources are great, more are better. One should be about 45 degrees off center, high and strong. This is your key lighting. The shadow from your subject's nose should come close to her lips.

The other flash, a fill flash, 2 f-stops lower, should be positioned on the short side of your subject, to fill in and lighten harsh shadows.

Work on that lighting, and I think you'll be much happier.

Phil (by no means a pro, this is what I've read).

Will Riggs said:

NOOOOO TEXT

Click to expand...

Will Riggs said:

That BTW, is the only D60 shot, rest were shot with my EOS-3







Will

Click to expand...

Will,

The first shot would have been helped by softening the light. Using a bounce flash would have done this. Otherwise, the shots ok. Your second and third shot have a few more problems. First, the locations aren't the best in the world. When you're trying a portrait, you want to concentrate the attention on the subject, not the background. Then the poses could be better. The shot on the slide might have worked better if you'd had the girl sit sideways so that her legs stuck through the rail, then she could have leaned up against the rail, giving her hands something to do. Then tighten in on her to try to eliminate the background some. Shallow depth of field would also help. The sun appears to be very bright so that she's squinting, face her away from the sun or let her use the shades from the first picture. The third picture, you might have had her lying on her stomach, her upper torso propped up on her elbows, maybe playing with the dog and shot from a slightly high angle so that only the grass would be seen in the background. The shot with the cats was kind of cute but watch the background again. You've got a sign growing out the back of her head and the car on the left kind of distracts. Having her meowing back at the kitten so that she kind of mirrors the kitten might have been cuter. And her eyes would have looked better if they'd been more open. Keep trying.

Will,
what kind of portraits are you planning on taking?
head shots?
half length?
full?
Are you shooting inside or outside?
Do you know the location(s) of the shoot?
With or without flash (which flash(es))?
What lens(es) do you have and would like to use?
What effect/feel would you like to achieve with those images?
What is the destination of the images - print or online/web?
How large of an image if prints?

Will,
Working the camera is a small part of creating a portrait.

When doing your portraits, think of it as your work of art. Here's a brief checklist:

1. What is the background for the picture? Pick something that would be pretty/interesting even without your subject in front of it.

2. Does the background complement the colors your subject is wearing? She can change clothes or you can find a new setting.

3. Is the light warm and soft or cold and harsh? People find candlelight romantic for a reason.

4. Catch your subject at moments when she is expressive. Work with your subject so she feels comfortable to be herself. Don't pressure yourself or her to look any specific way. Set the mood your are trying to capture.

5. Watch our for cutting off feet and heads and hands, etc. Read the portraiture books on where best to cut people.

6. Work your angles to get the light you want. If the light isn't interesting to your eyes, the camera won't surprise you with beautiful lights either.
7. Work your angles to get unwanted junk out of the picture.

8. Make sure your subject is happy with her appearance before you start clicking.

Just some rules I've read/made up and tried to use myself. It's a camera, not a magic wand, though some people can make the results magical by attending all the details. Work on the details.

Taking pictures is the most fun work I know.
Regards,
Byron

Will Riggs said:

Hello agian guys, I come to you for advice. I have never claimed
to be a good photographer, but where I lack the most is in the
portrait area, which means I blow. Anyway, I am going to shoot
pictures of a female friend this weekend as practice, I thought I
would show you some stuff I have done, and ask for some words of
wisdom. Thanks in advance, once agian, I warn you I suck dealing
with people.



That BTW, is the only D60 shot, rest were shot with my EOS-3







I think you get the trend, Im sorry I have made you look at these
god-awful pictures. But I could use your help. So, help me
please!!!

Will

Click to expand...

Bart,

Your touchup example really shows the value of post processing. The harsh lightening, color correction, and softening make the close-up example more of a portrait than a picture. Good work.

Phil

Bart Moore said:

Best advice is to have fun and let her know it's just
practice...that's how you learn.

Since it's going to be portraits, I'd get in fairly close and have
a shallow depth of field.

Remember, since it's digital, you can always apply little touches
to make her look even better after you snapped the picture (such as
the one I posted below). Some may say this is not 'pure'
photography, but they can do it their way and you can do it your
way.

If the color turns out bad, print them in B&W! ; }

Good luck...

Bart
http://www.thedigitalshutter.com

Will Riggs said:

Hello agian guys, I come to you for advice. I have never claimed
to be a good photographer, but where I lack the most is in the
portrait area, which means I blow. Anyway, I am going to shoot
pictures of a female friend this weekend as practice, I thought I
would show you some stuff I have done, and ask for some words of
wisdom. Thanks in advance, once agian, I warn you I suck dealing
with people.



That BTW, is the only D60 shot, rest were shot with my EOS-3







I think you get the trend, Im sorry I have made you look at these
god-awful pictures. But I could use your help. So, help me
please!!!

Will

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Victor__ said:

Will,
what kind of portraits are you planning on taking?
head shots?
half length?
full?

Click to expand...

all types-I will be mainly practicing, so I will be doing just about all of those.

Victor__ said:

Are you shooting inside or outside?

Click to expand...

outside

Victor__ said:

Do you know the location(s) of the shoot?

Click to expand...

Its the local botanical garden

Victor__ said:

With or without flash (which flash(es))?

Click to expand...

(1)550ex

Victor__ said:

What lens(es) do you have and would like to use?

Click to expand...

70-200f/2.8 & 50mm or 24-85-maybe both?

Victor__ said:

What effect/feel would you like to achieve with those images?

Click to expand...

I'm really not sure what im going after. I want some strong reacions, grrrr, I suck at putting the way I want things to turn out in words.

Victor__ said:

What is the destination of the images - print or online/web?

Click to expand...

Both

Victor__ said:

How large of an image if prints?

Click to expand...

8x12 at most

I agree, I like what you did alot...I at the moment, dont have a mac edition of PS so im kinda giving out raw images for now I will bet getting a copy within the week however, once agian I like that shot much more...thanks.

Will

Phil Forister said:

Your touchup example really shows the value of post processing.
The harsh lightening, color correction, and softening make the
close-up example more of a portrait than a picture. Good work.

Phil

Bart Moore said:

Best advice is to have fun and let her know it's just
practice...that's how you learn.

Since it's going to be portraits, I'd get in fairly close and have
a shallow depth of field.

Remember, since it's digital, you can always apply little touches
to make her look even better after you snapped the picture (such as
the one I posted below). Some may say this is not 'pure'
photography, but they can do it their way and you can do it your
way.

If the color turns out bad, print them in B&W! ; }

Good luck...

Bart
http://www.thedigitalshutter.com

Will Riggs said:

Hello agian guys, I come to you for advice. I have never claimed
to be a good photographer, but where I lack the most is in the
portrait area, which means I blow. Anyway, I am going to shoot
pictures of a female friend this weekend as practice, I thought I
would show you some stuff I have done, and ask for some words of
wisdom. Thanks in advance, once agian, I warn you I suck dealing
with people.



That BTW, is the only D60 shot, rest were shot with my EOS-3







I think you get the trend, Im sorry I have made you look at these
god-awful pictures. But I could use your help. So, help me
please!!!

Will

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Thanks, Phil. It was a quicky and now looking at it, I should have used one number less on the noise (which I add to reduce the porcelian look in the skin). Goes to show that's what practice is all about!

Take care,
Bart

Phil Forister said:

Your touchup example really shows the value of post processing.
The harsh lightening, color correction, and softening make the
close-up example more of a portrait than a picture. Good work.

Phil

Bart Moore said:

Best advice is to have fun and let her know it's just
practice...that's how you learn.

Since it's going to be portraits, I'd get in fairly close and have
a shallow depth of field.

Remember, since it's digital, you can always apply little touches
to make her look even better after you snapped the picture (such as
the one I posted below). Some may say this is not 'pure'
photography, but they can do it their way and you can do it your
way.

If the color turns out bad, print them in B&W! ; }

Good luck...

Bart
http://www.thedigitalshutter.com

Will Riggs said:

Hello agian guys, I come to you for advice. I have never claimed
to be a good photographer, but where I lack the most is in the
portrait area, which means I blow. Anyway, I am going to shoot
pictures of a female friend this weekend as practice, I thought I
would show you some stuff I have done, and ask for some words of
wisdom. Thanks in advance, once agian, I warn you I suck dealing
with people.



That BTW, is the only D60 shot, rest were shot with my EOS-3







I think you get the trend, Im sorry I have made you look at these
god-awful pictures. But I could use your help. So, help me
please!!!

Will

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Phil Forister said:

Your touchup example really shows the value of post processing.
The harsh lightening, color correction, and softening make the
close-up example more of a portrait than a picture. Good work.

Phil

Bart Moore said:

Best advice is to have fun and let her know it's just
practice...that's how you learn.

Since it's going to be portraits, I'd get in fairly close and have
a shallow depth of field.

Remember, since it's digital, you can always apply little touches
to make her look even better after you snapped the picture (such as
the one I posted below). Some may say this is not 'pure'
photography, but they can do it their way and you can do it your
way.

If the color turns out bad, print them in B&W! ; }

Good luck...

Bart
http://www.thedigitalshutter.com

Will Riggs said:

Hello agian guys, I come to you for advice. I have never claimed
to be a good photographer, but where I lack the most is in the
portrait area, which means I blow. Anyway, I am going to shoot
pictures of a female friend this weekend as practice, I thought I
would show you some stuff I have done, and ask for some words of
wisdom. Thanks in advance, once agian, I warn you I suck dealing
with people.



That BTW, is the only D60 shot, rest were shot with my EOS-3







I think you get the trend, Im sorry I have made you look at these
god-awful pictures. But I could use your help. So, help me
please!!!

Will

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I agree. Even the best looking models need a little help now and then. That was a nice job you did.

Thanks alot for all the extremly helpful information, each of you have helped me out immensly. Looking back at the pictures after reading all of what ya'll have said have really made me notice the stuff more. I will have a much better background at the gardens, and with the information you guys have given they should turn out much better. Lighting and posing have always been HUGE weaknesses, I guess ill just have to keep looking at others work, reading, and shooting till I get it right. Thanks agian, you have helped more than you could ever know.

Will

Hello, Will -

If you're interested in being a professional portrait photographer, plan to spend a boatload on backdrops, lights, makeup and models - and a lot of time to use them all well. If on the other hand you're talking about taking good pics of people for your and their pleasure - I will pass on what I have learned. I am definitely NOT a pro, and I'm not interested in studio shots.

1) The less flash you need, the better. Flash is fine - but good flash is either minimal, used as fill in natural light, or complete - meaning to avoid harsh shadows, red-eye, etc you need at least two off-camera lights. IF you shoot in low natural light or harsh sunlight (usually a bad idea unless you get the subject into the shade) use the in-camera flash but adjust it to -1 stop or so so it doesn't overpower.

2) Overcast, even foggy days produce the BEST portrait light. Face in bright sunlight never works (except maybe in the 1st 5 minutes after sunrise and the last before sunset.

3) No matter what, the eyes MUST be sharply focused.

4) Generally you should have enough DOF to make sure all facial features are sharp - and probably hair too.

5) With all that said, too MUCH DOF is a more common problem. Unless you can find a very plain background, blurred background is better. The best way to get here is to use the longest lens you have. Partly because it is new to me, I've been shooting a lot at 250-400mm (375-600,, equivalent on the D60) with my 100-400mm lens - and I have gotten more great portraits than with any other lens for this very reason.

6) When in doubt, fill more of the frame with the subject.

7) Basic PS skills help too - little flash glare off of teeth and gums can be removed, blemishes are easily corrected, eye color enhanced, yellow teeth whitened (just use the "desaturate" tool.

here are 3 examples, all shot in the last week while I've been learning the camera.

Hey there Greg, nice stuff. I def. dont want to become a pro in the portrait industry, way to many, and way to stressful. I would just like to become as well rounded a photographer as I can. My mom was a pro-photographer in the portrait setting (And did well for 20 years till she stopped) and my dad is the sports photographer. We already have studio lights (novatron rig, lots and lots of nice lights) and we have tons of backdrops my mom has mad over the years, and bought. So if I did have some huge desire, ive already got most of the tools equip. wise.

I myself, would rather do sports, and nature mainly cause of my anxiety of delevering a bad product. I have done one shoot that was kidna a urgent thing and my mom wasent around, and they actually turned out good (pre-set lights, and i used back-drops) but doing what my mom and dad did with the lights is not a strength of mine. I plan to learn though. Thanks agian for the advice.

Will

Greg Heumann said:

Hello, Will -

If you're interested in being a professional portrait photographer,
plan to spend a boatload on backdrops, lights, makeup and models -
and a lot of time to use them all well. If on the other hand you're
talking about taking good pics of people for your and their
pleasure - I will pass on what I have learned. I am definitely NOT
a pro, and I'm not interested in studio shots.

1) The less flash you need, the better. Flash is fine - but good
flash is either minimal, used as fill in natural light, or complete

• meaning to avoid harsh shadows, red-eye, etc you need at least

two off-camera lights. IF you shoot in low natural light or harsh
sunlight (usually a bad idea unless you get the subject into the
shade) use the in-camera flash but adjust it to -1 stop or so so it
doesn't overpower.

2) Overcast, even foggy days produce the BEST portrait light. Face
in bright sunlight never works (except maybe in the 1st 5 minutes
after sunrise and the last before sunset.

3) No matter what, the eyes MUST be sharply focused.

4) Generally you should have enough DOF to make sure all facial
features are sharp - and probably hair too.

5) With all that said, too MUCH DOF is a more common problem.
Unless you can find a very plain background, blurred background is
better. The best way to get here is to use the longest lens you
have. Partly because it is new to me, I've been shooting a lot at
250-400mm (375-600,, equivalent on the D60) with my 100-400mm lens

• and I have gotten more great portraits than with any other lens

for this very reason.

6) When in doubt, fill more of the frame with the subject.

7) Basic PS skills help too - little flash glare off of teeth and
gums can be removed, blemishes are easily corrected, eye color
enhanced, yellow teeth whitened (just use the "desaturate" tool.

here are 3 examples, all shot in the last week while I've been
learning the camera.

Click to expand...

I too enjoy shooting outdoor portraits, shot a few, nothing too exciting but check them out. I use a reflector to throw some light and fill shadows. I also leave my flash mounted for fill and catchlight. Have fun, pick up a few books, i liked:

Outdoor and Location Portrait photography (ISBN: 1-58428-070-0)

Corrective Lighting and Posing Techniques fpr portrait photographers. (1-58428-034-4)
Posing and Lpghting for studio portrait photography (1-58428-031-X)
--
--
Jeffrey Lazo
-Check out my D60 Galleries-
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj
-Newbie Lens Information/Prices -
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj/lenses/lenses.html
Don't use your local shops as 'Internet show-rooms'

Jeffrey Lazo said:

I too enjoy shooting outdoor portraits, shot a few, nothing too
exciting but check them out. I use a reflector to throw some light
and fill shadows. I also leave my flash mounted for fill and
catchlight. Have fun, pick up a few books, i liked:

Outdoor and Location Portrait photography (ISBN: 1-58428-070-0)
Corrective Lighting and Posing Techniques fpr portrait
photographers. (1-58428-034-4)
Posing and Lpghting for studio portrait photography (1-58428-031-X)
--
--
Jeffrey Lazo
-Check out my D60 Galleries-
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj
-Newbie Lens Information/Prices -
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj/lenses/lenses.html
Don't use your local shops as 'Internet show-rooms'

Click to expand...

--
--
Jeffrey Lazo
-Check out my D60 Galleries-
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj
-Newbie Lens Information/Prices -
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj/lenses/lenses.html
Don't use your local shops as 'Internet show-rooms'

haha-thanks alot for those books I def. need all the posing things I can get, and lighting as well. I hate studio settings!!!

Will

Jeffrey Lazo said:

I too enjoy shooting outdoor portraits, shot a few, nothing too
exciting but check them out. I use a reflector to throw some light
and fill shadows. I also leave my flash mounted for fill and
catchlight. Have fun, pick up a few books, i liked:

Outdoor and Location Portrait photography (ISBN: 1-58428-070-0)
Corrective Lighting and Posing Techniques fpr portrait
photographers. (1-58428-034-4)
Posing and Lpghting for studio portrait photography (1-58428-031-X)
--
--
Jeffrey Lazo
-Check out my D60 Galleries-
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj
-Newbie Lens Information/Prices -
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj/lenses/lenses.html
Don't use your local shops as 'Internet show-rooms'

Click to expand...

Great shots, how do you think my 50mm 1.8 would do for the portraits? I love your shots and im glad you support your local shops!

Will

Will Riggs said:

Will

Jeffrey Lazo said:

I too enjoy shooting outdoor portraits, shot a few, nothing too
exciting but check them out. I use a reflector to throw some light
and fill shadows. I also leave my flash mounted for fill and
catchlight. Have fun, pick up a few books, i liked:

Outdoor and Location Portrait photography (ISBN: 1-58428-070-0)
Corrective Lighting and Posing Techniques fpr portrait
photographers. (1-58428-034-4)
Posing and Lpghting for studio portrait photography (1-58428-031-X)
--
--
Jeffrey Lazo
-Check out my D60 Galleries-
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj
-Newbie Lens Information/Prices -
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj/lenses/lenses.html
Don't use your local shops as 'Internet show-rooms'

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Your 50mm 1.8 would be nice, what other longer lenses do you have? something slightly longer would be more flattering for your subjects. Pick up a reflector and play around with light. You might need an assistant or a holder/stand to work with.

Yeah, I supported my local shop so much...they hired me! I have been working there for a few months and really love it. It's very dangerous though, way too many toys!

--
--
Jeffrey Lazo
-Check out my D60 Galleries-
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj
-Newbie Lens Information/Prices -
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj/lenses/lenses.html
Don't use your local shops as 'Internet show-rooms'