What more could I have done

[KmH]

Your a dipsh!t Keith...read what you quoted from me...durrrr

What a mature post! :lmao:

It's you're - not your. :lmao:

A fast lens is not needed for inside photography. Light is needed. Light that can be moved around and aimed is more useful for making high quality portraits than a fast lens is, is the point I was trying to make.

But, thanks anyway for trying to help.

 

[Gerty]

its funny you suggest this lens I have it on order every place is out of stock but its a tad more in Australia $379 right now hope they hurry I don't see fuzzy and pixlated except for the shirt I think its viscose or something shiny any clues how to control that ?? please Ive only been learning for less then a week now. thank you to every body that replied anybody else see fuzzy and pixlated other then the shirt please let me know

Wow that's expensive!! Send 200 my way and I'll sell you mine lol.

All the pics look really bad quality, I am viewing this on my iPhone, but everyone elses images look nice and crisp...not sure what's going on... :S

Sent from Erics iPhone Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers - Eric Porado Photography

I really don't know if everyone else photos look good on your iPhone it must be mine nobody else has mentioned it yet I came back to see if anybody had hoping somebody soon will Its good for me know this I do now know not to use the window until I'm more experience unfortunately that is where to lounge was next time Ill have to move the furniture about.. Oh and this is a self portrait I did forget to mention that so I was using the timer just for the sake really to use my camera settings I am trying to get the equipment now while I have the $s because I know I wont have the bucks later on when I need them. EP if you could do me a favor next time your online come and have a look for me please open up the photos and tell me what you see I would appreciate it. Thanks to all of the reply s every bit of information is information and the same with advice ta

 

[Dao]

Your a dipsh!t Keith...read what you quoted from me...durrrr

What a mature post! :lmao:

It's you're - not your. :lmao:

A fast lens is not needed for inside photography. Light is needed. Light that can be moved around and aimed is more useful for making high quality portraits than a fast lens is, is the point I was trying to make.

But, thanks anyway for trying to help.

I agree that the issue is not the lens. Even with a 50mm f/0.95 lens, it is going to be the same. The issue is with light and how to use the light. And I do not see why there is a problem of using the Vivitar 285 flash in this situation. Just bounce the light off the wall or ceiling will improve the photos.

 

[camz]

lol @ mentioning a Vivatar! Thanks for the laughs for the day!

Sent from Erics iPhone Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers - Eric Porado Photography

Do you have any idea how much you can push a Vivitar 285 when placed on hands of those that know their light?

I'll put my money on No!

 

[The_Traveler]

Is this where the weinie measuring starts about who knows more about using flash?


To the OP.
The best way to learn how your camera works is just to sit it down in the open shade, on a tripod, and take a lot of pictures at different iso/aperture/shutter combinations and have a look at teh results.
Then start taking pictures in simple light situations, outdoors, late in the day, with different combinations of aperture, speed and iso.

Don't start adding artificial light until you understand what's going on.

Lew

 

[Aye-non Oh-non Imus]

Gerty, I believe you have all the ingredients at your disposal to create some nice self portraits. It's just a matter of some slight rearranging. You already have a large light source by way of the window in your front room. Depending on the time of day, you may need to diffuse it further by adding another layer of material. A white bed sheet or clear plastic shower curtain will do for this if the light is too strong coming in. You will want to have your camera positioned so that the window is to the side of your camera. But let's take a step back.

Being a heavier set person with a round facial features, using short lighting should give you a better look. This means that the shadowed side of your face should be towards the camera. It creates a slimming effect. But at the same time, you do not want deep shadows without any detail on the shadowed side. You can better your chances by using a reflector opposite the main light (window). A simple piece of white poster board from your local craft shop will supply this or even a baking sheet will suffice. Of course, you will need to position this so that it will redirect (bounce, reflect) the main light back onto your face. This may be trial and error until you hit the correct angles. So if you're standing perpendicular to the window (on the left) and your camera is parallel with the window, turn your body about 30° away from the camera.... move your left foot back 1/2 to one full step counter clockwise (anticlockwise).

In portraiture, the camera position should be even with or slighty above the eyes. With heavier persons, you may want to raise this slightly more. This also has a slimming effect. When in your posed position, try leaning forward at the waist. I would also suggest to point your chin forward as much as possible without giving a strained or unnatural look. I also suggest to my subjects to try and take their ears towards the back of their head. I know it sounds funny, but it opens their eyes and helps smooth out their skin. Bring their hand up to their chin, but not actually placing any weight on it, is another little trick to help obscure double chins and thick necks.

One last thing for self portraits. Find something, anything, that you can use to pre-focus where you will be positioned. Focus on that and turn Autofocus OFF on your camera, then move that item out of frame. I'll use a marker on the floor to make sure I hit the same position. Make sure you have stopped down your lens enough to allow for some slop. I would suggest to set your aperture to not less than f/5.6 uo to f/11.

I hope some of this dribble is of benefit and I certainly don't mean to sound offensive. There's more, but this is a start plus I'm tired and have to edit some photos myself. Good luck.

 

[camz]

When another member gives sound advice to the OP and someone who obviously does not know what their talking about throws it out the window needs to be addressed for the OPs sake.


To the OP...I do agree with Lew's perspective. You have to have sound fundamentals using your camera and knowing how to work it with ambient lighting. Aye-non Oh-non Imus also brings up a good point that you will also need flash at times even as a beginner(night shots alone justifies it).