shooting aspiring models

dukeboy1977 · May 19, 2012

I've gotten into shooting aspiring models a little bit and now have a question for you. If they are going to be posting the pics on the net only for an online portfolio, are MP's and size really important? You can only really upload to the net so big before the photo begins to be difficult for some to view on their monitors due to size. I will be getting a D70 as a backup camera and would love to use that alot outside and keep my main camera at home for my studio setup. I know the D70 will make good prints up to I believe 11x14 so it should be good enough for most monitors right? I just don't wanna be thought of as a GWC when I am more familiar with 'rules' and basics of photography. I don't want my D70 to make me look bad when my work should still turn out nicely. Thoughts?

fokker · May 19, 2012

Nothing wrong with it, you could get away with a 4mp canon 1D for web size and be more than fine. It's only if you start cropping immensely or blowing up to huge sizes that MP matters. It's more about the lens that you use...

Josh66 · May 19, 2012

If it's going to be for online posting only - I wouldn't worry about MP at all. Just make sure you compose for the shot and don't rely on being able to crop in PP.

dukeboy1977 · May 20, 2012

The lens I intend to use mostly with the D70 will be the great little AF 50mm 1.8, but I have other lenses with longer focal lengths...Just not the wide apertures which shouldn't matter since it will be all brightly lit either outside or in my studio setup. Even at below f10 I get decently blurred backgrounds so f2.8 while very nice, isn't needed. Shutter speed is fast enough not to cause any motion blur too. I'm anxious to receive my D70 and my 50mm 1.8 lens. I sold my old 50mm 1.8 lens here like a dummy. I should've just put it away, as I should have known I'd own it again! lol It's a great little lens and awfully sharp!!

KmH · May 20, 2012

Save up for the best portrait lens Nikon makes, the Nikkor AF-S 200 mm f/2 prime. New they are about $6000, but if you're patient and keep your eyes peeled, you can pick up sweet used ones for about $4000.

The 50 mm f/1.8 has 7, less than optimally shaped, aperture blades, which degrades the smoothness of the bokeh quite a bit. Consider one of the 85 mm f/1.4's instead.