Getting started in Portraits?

sillyphaunt · Dec 19, 2004

I am wanting to get started/into portrait photography. I was wondering what the basic setup is for backdrops, reflectors, lighting, etc etc. Nothing professional, just to dabble in it and maybe eventually do some paid work.

I do have a basement for use, so I will be able to set things up permenatly. Can anyone do a short/basic list of things I would need? Thanks!

*you can put this in the portrait forum, I wasn't sure if it needed to be there or not*

DocFrankenstein · Dec 19, 2004

What are you shooting?
What's your budget?

Alison · Dec 19, 2004

I shoot standard portrait fare, babies, seniors, family, etc.

We started with 2 studio lights, used from a camera store.
2 muslin backgrounds and a stand
A diffuser
A silver/white reflector

We now have additional lighting for hair/background lighting
More backgrounds
Props such as chairs, benches, etc
Soft box
Posing table

Our set up is not permanent. We shoot on location and outdoors mainly.

motcon · Dec 19, 2004

the reality is that all you need is one light and a back drop.

http://www.ephotozine.com/techniques/viewtechnique.cfm?recid=195

do you want to shoot flash or hot lights?

Hertz van Rental · Dec 20, 2004

sillyphaunt said:
I am wanting to get started/into portrait photography. I was wondering what the basic setup is for backdrops, reflectors, lighting, etc etc. Nothing professional, just to dabble in it and maybe eventually do some paid work.

I do have a basement for use, so I will be able to set things up permenatly. Can anyone do a short/basic list of things I would need? Thanks!

*you can put this in the portrait forum, I wasn't sure if it needed to be there or not*

If you are thinking of eventually doing some paid work then you should buy the best you can afford. You'll save money in the end

steve817 · Dec 20, 2004

motcon said:
the reality is that all you need is one light and a back drop.

http://www.ephotozine.com/techniques/viewtechnique.cfm?recid=195

do you want to shoot flash or hot lights?

That was a great article, thanks for posting the link.

motcon · Dec 20, 2004

steve817 said:
motcon said:

the reality is that all you need is one light and a back drop.

http://www.ephotozine.com/techniques/viewtechnique.cfm?recid=195

do you want to shoot flash or hot lights?

Click to expand...

That was a great article, thanks for posting the link.

my pleasure. you'd be surprised at how little you need to spend to set up a studio.

Bokeh · Dec 20, 2004

Thanks for the thread, although I've done a lot of sports, I'd like to start doing portraits, I love the idea of being able to totally control your own lighting. Also I love taking photos of people, esp. adults. Kids kind of scare me when it comes to photos because there's no telling what kind of mood they'll be in. Maybe if you could put "make sure your child is in a great moodand cooperative before you bring them in" on your fliers?

Anyway I bought a couple of photography books that have sections on lighting and I'm saving for some elementary lighting componenets such as softbox, maybe a couple of bees etc. Thanks for the info

havoc · Dec 20, 2004

Hey Silly, a fellow Oregonian! Its nice to see another one of us here

We are few and far between.

sillyphaunt · Dec 20, 2004

Oh thanks for the article! I'll check it out. I may be back wit some more questions after I read it.

Hey Havoc! Although I'm on the other side of Oregon... its almost a different world entirely :lol: