Portrait Photography - Tips/Tricks?

tevo · Oct 20, 2011

Want to try shooting some portraits. I have some people from school that are willing to be (free) models, so I am scouting around where I live trying to find some interesting places. What are steps I should take to prepare/practice for this? There is no set date - the whole thing is up in the air at this point. I just know I want to shoot some portrait shots, and am looking for some guidance from you more experienced buggers. I have a flash, tupperware (diffuser), some work lights, can lights, nikon d7000, 18-105 f/3.5, nifty fifty, tripod, trigger, photoshop. Can DIY equipment if there is good means to do so.

Let me know!

(also, general portrait photography tips/advice thread)

tirediron · Oct 20, 2011

What kind of portraits?

shootermcgavin · Oct 20, 2011

If they're free female models I suggest your bedroom, if they are male models the football field. I wish all answers were this easy.

Patrice · Oct 20, 2011

Tevo,

At least you did not come on here asking what to do because you have paying customer coming in a couple of hours. Good.

You have time to do a bit of research and a bit of learning and a bit of practice. Good.

Google 'portraiture'

Google 'posing for portraits'

Google 'rules of portraiture'

Google 'portrait lighting'

Google 'how to direct a portrait sitting'

Google 'photographing people'

Google 'portrait photography'

Google 'portrait photographers'

Google 'portrait styles'

..... as you can probably surmise there is quite a bit to this topic in photography.

As you do all of these google searches be aware of the age of any bystanders looking over your shoulder.

As a first try, borrow a teddy bear from your sister, sit it on a stool, aim your flash at the ceiling or at the wall over your shoulder, set your aperture to f/4 for a start and fire away. Now compare this image to some of the ones you just found in your google trip and see where they differ. Try to replicate what you like in the images you found. (Not the content, but the technique!)

When the girls do finally show up and you do manage to get your head thinking about the photography (mind you don't let the little head take over now) you might have a chance to get some decent images done.

Have fun.

Kerbouchard · Oct 20, 2011

Start here...
The Rules Of Good Portraiture

Advice from a worldclass portrait photographer. I would link to a similar thread on this forum, but there just isn't one as good as that.

tevo · Oct 20, 2011

Patrice said:
Tevo,

At least you did not come on here asking what to do because you have paying customer coming in a couple of hours. Good.

You have time to do a bit of research and a bit of learning and a bit of practice. Good.

Google 'portraiture'

Google 'posing for portraits'

Google 'rules of portraiture'

Google 'portrait lighting'

Google 'how to direct a portrait sitting'

Google 'photographing people'

Google 'portrait photography'

Google 'portrait photographers'

Google 'portrait styles'

..... as you can probably surmise there is quite a bit to this topic in photography.

As you do all of these google searches be aware of the age of any bystanders looking over your shoulder.

As a first try, borrow a teddy bear from your sister, sit it on a stool, aim your flash at the ceiling or at the wall over your shoulder, set your aperture to f/4 for a start and fire away. Now compare this image to some of the ones you just found in your google trip and see where they differ. Try to replicate what you like in the images you found. (Not the content, but the technique!)

When the girls do finally show up and you do manage to get your head thinking about the photography (mind you don't let the little head take over now) you might have a chance to get some decent images done.

Have fun.

Excellent. Search queries. I always have trouble finding the right things to search for, I will start looking now! Thanks a lot

(lol @ the little head)

tevo · Oct 20, 2011

Kerbouchard said:
Start here...
The Rules Of Good Portraiture

Advice from a worldclass portrait photographer. I would link to a similar thread on this forum, but there just isn't one as good as that.

Thanks much! Reading now.

tevo · Oct 20, 2011

tirediron said:
What kind of portraits?

Not sure. Before now I hadn't really looked at portrait styles - or payed attention to them at any rate. I'm thinking more candid portraiture.. but for the purposes of this, just general shooting techniques for portrait photography.

dots · Oct 20, 2011

Kerbouchard said:
Start here...
The Rules Of Good Portraiture

Advice from a worldclass portrait photographer. I would link to a similar thread on this forum, but there just isn't one as good as that.

Excellent info! Thanks a lot for the link!

CCericola · Oct 20, 2011

There is a free webinar starting tomorrow on CreativeLive that might be of interest to you.

tevo · Oct 20, 2011

CCericola said:
There is a free webinar starting tomorrow on CreativeLive that might be of interest to you.

Time? Link? Sounds interesting.

CCericola · Oct 20, 2011

Exploring the Light with Rick Sammon | creativeLIVE

MTVision · Oct 20, 2011

CCericola said:
Exploring the Light with Rick Sammon | creativeLIVE

I'm going to check it out too. Thanks

WilfordSy · Oct 21, 2011

Patrice said:
(mind you don't let the little head take over now)

Great tips Patrice. But for some reason, this was all I got. LOL :lmao:

@Tevo - Good luck bro! Sorry, I can't really comment much on how to help you since I'm quite a newbie when it comes to Portraits.

Noxire · Oct 21, 2011

CCericola said:
Exploring the Light with Rick Sammon | creativeLIVE

Wow!

I've enrolled at once!
So as I understand it the course is free if i manage to see it while it is live which is beyond awesome.

Thank you so very much Christina for sharing the link