PainterSue

Hi, I have loved photography since I was about 10. Now after a number of different cameras I am on the market for another. (My favorite was Canon AE1 until it quit working) My main need is to take photographs which I will use to assist my portrait painting when the model is no longer present. In the last few years I have been using a Canon S95 Powershot and I was just not able to get accurate skin tone colors for my work....always too much red, etc. I would be interested to have opinions about something under $800 that would take accurate colors of the person without flash, as I prefer about 1/3 shadow and 2/3 light on the face. Then, afterwards I would like to take pictures of my paintings that show accurate color. I am looking forward to learning more about the use of whatever camera I purchase and will appreciate your help.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I do some painting, not portrait. Like you I have always had an interest photography and wanted to combine the two mediums. I end up more in photography than painting due to some unforeseen circumstance. I have found that what you describe what you want to do you might want to consider a good dslr and portrait lens or two. I believe to get the results you want you will need two speed lites or some other lighting that that you can control to get the results that you want. It will take some study and practice. Good body can be had inexpensive then you can get you a couple of lens, one prime and telescope and a tripod and lighting. You can find all used and save about forty percent or more over used. There will be others chiming in and with some good advice. I picked up a head used to display wigs and use that to play with my lighting and to get my lights set to get the effects I want for portraits. Cheaper than a model and does not complain. I use my camera for general photography but not for hire. I prefer landscape and wildlife although I do some for family and friends as a favor but not professionally.

twowindsbear

Welcome to UHH!

Is your Canon S95 Powershot working OK for you other than the 'off color' skin tones? What steps have you taken to resolve those issues? Are you using multiple light sources? That alone will give you 'fits' with color balance. Have you set your camera's white balance? Does your camera have white balance that can be adjusted? If you can post some examples of the photos that have the 'off color' we may be able to help you resolve those issues and save you the price of an upgraded camera. When - if - you do post pix, be sure to check the STORE ORIGINAL box so we can see the EXIF data that the camera stores with the photo file.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog Sue, I too was a portrait painter for
many years. It is not so much the camera as it is the lighting, you want to get as close to natural lighting as you
can but indirect light to minimize shadows and light reflection off the skin and eyes.

OwlHarbor Loc: Pacific North West USA

My favorite camera was the Canon AE-1 and moved to the Canon Rebel when it came out. I am using the Canon Ti5 and its a nice crop sensor camera. I stay with the lenses that can be used on the 35mm sensor (non crop) because add bodies to my collection. Color is synchronization of your monitor or printer. Having good post processing software is incredible. This is a great place for information and links.

OwlHarbor Loc: Pacific North West USA

I am learning Adobe Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CS6. The software that is available is incredible. I hear Adobe elements is very good. Your white balance, exposure, colors, high lights, shadows on and on can be adjusted from a RAW file. I think with my first Canon digital and RAW images started to understand the ability to make the picture what I see in my mind so I can share it.

Impressionist

Welcome to the club. Look into the Sony A6000. You will like the size of the camera and incredible images you create with it. It will fit right in your kit. Degas would have loved it.

CO

There are many entry level DSLR cameras with kits lenses that you can get for under $800 that will do a fine job. They will give you a wide range of white balance options.
1) Auto white balance
2) Select white balance setting such as flash, cloudy, shade, incandescent, fluorescent, (many more settings)
3) Choosing a specific Kelvin color temperature
4) Fine-tune white balance
5) White balance bracketing
Another UHH member has already mentioned mixed lighting sources. It can be difficult or impossible to get a nice white balance under those circumstances.

BigWahoo Loc: Kentucky

For your work; getting the white balance ,wb, set correctly is more important than your choice of camera.

A camera with around an 80mm lens (35mm camera equivalent) will do what you need.

You might want to look at this;

http://digital-photography-school.com/introduction-to-white-balance/

OwlHarbor Loc: Pacific North West USA

I agree with CO about what is available. You don't have to use flash equipment and can make your own lighting equipment for much cheaper than buying. Check Youtube for examples of this

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+make+your+own+studio+lighting+

BigWahoo Loc: Kentucky

Do you use natural light?

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

I think it's the lens that you should zero in on. BigWahoo mentioned white balance, and that's critical. For the natural lighting you prefer I've been using a Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens. Not a budget buster for sure. Stick it on a camera of your choice, download a decent post processing program, and bang away. Always wanted to do portraits, but the talent just isn't there. At least I recognize this fact.....djt

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

I like doing comparisons.

http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu
http://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/compare/

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

Everyone has good ideas... but, I'd first spend a couple of bucks on a gray card- frequently sold two to an 8X10 pack- for critical use, use 'em both: one gray side out the other white side out. Let your software set the white balance based on those two values. If the colors still look off, calibrate your monitor.

photeach Loc: beautiful Kansas

It drives me crazy when people don't answer questions about what camera or lens to purchase. Yes, there are unlimited choices and a lot of variables, but give the woman a real idea! Here's my real idea:
Canon T5 ($399 at amazon.com)
Canon 85mm 1.8 lens ($369 at amazon.com or less if you go used.)
It's a great light-weight little camera, and the lens will give you a lovely creamy background. And, it's in your budget.
I teach in a school that has orange as one of its school colors. We struggle with strange face tints every time we take a photo in the gym, and I've learned to set and reset the white balance depending on time of day and year and what the other team is wearing. You'll just learn to check the WB. Hope this helps.