Better pictures!!

[DAMgoodimages]

Ok do I have been it to photography for a couple year now an I am really into it. I have a Nikon D60 with a 18-55 mm, 55-200mm, and a 50mm lens. I want to start doing portrait photography any suggestions on what I should do an which lens I should use for what?? Head shots? Full body let me know thank you!! For anyone that post

 

[Robin Usagani]

your handle is DAMgoodimages, it sounds like we are the ones who need to ask you .

 

[DAMgoodimages]

Haha I have a Facebook page that is DAM Images and I wanted to put that on here but someone took it!! DAM are my initials haha>_< I've never done portrait photography check out my Facebook page though

 

[KmH]

It's all about the light and the shadows.

 

[DAMgoodimages]

It's all about the light and the shadows.

I have two soft boxes

 

[raphaelaaron]

It's all about the light and the shadows.

I have two soft boxes

...and might i add, how you use them.

 

[DAMgoodimages]

Yea that's true I am just learning how to use them

 

[KmH]

It's all about the light and the shadows.

I have two soft boxes

What size and shape are they? What speedrings do you use? What lights?

Use all 3 lenses.

 

[DAMgoodimages]

They are 2. 12in soft boxes!!!

 

[MLeeK]

Those are wayyyyy small softboxes for portraits. In lighting for portraits you want your light source to be BIGGER and softer, hence GIANT soft boxes like this:

Ok, so that's probably out of most of our budgets, but... you get the idea. I like one about 48" or longer by about 24" wide and one large square about 48"

12 inch might work for newborns or table top macro/product work.

Your 50mm and your long zoom are nice for portraits. Especially the 50mm. Sharper than the others. The 18-55 is fine as well. I personally try to stay out of that range only because I don't care for the barrel distortion that happens in the wide lenses and what it makes people look like.

 

[KmH]

They are 2. 12in soft boxes!!!

Does that mean they are only 12 inches square?

Like MLeek says 12 inches is of very limited use for portraiture, and I'm still waitng for some information about the lighting you have to use. If it's not strobed light (flash), you need pretty powerful continuous lights to get sufficient shutter speed.

I've done portraiture with hot shoe flash units but the smallest light modifiers I use is 45 inches across, and I often use 60 inch modifiers.

 

[DAMgoodimages]

Ok thank you guys so much!! I will let you know which lights I use tomorrow!!! And even if it's a small room I use that big of a light!! Or can I use those for it!! And the light is pretty strong an it's dim too it has two settings..

 

[Garbz]

Well the softness of light depends on the apparent size of the light source. 12" is small in comparison to a lot of gear, but bring it in nice and close to the subject and you can do some wonders. Though if you bring it in close the light will appear to fall off as it moves across the subject which is yet another effect.

My advice setup your studio and leave it set up. Ever day move the lights around, play with them, do things to them and take pictures of yourself or any willing models. If you come and ask us for advice you will KNOW what we tell you, but if you figure these things out for yourself you will UNDERSTAND. That makes the difference between a photographer who sets up their lights textbook style and ends up with a collection of images that all look identical, and a photographer who masters light to make whatever effect he/she wants.

 

[DAMgoodimages]

That is true I will take your advice and do that!!! I will set them up and change it everyday!! Thank you so much can you post pic on here??