Absolute beginner trying to improve portrait photography skills
Dec 10, 2017 10:30:47 #
Greetings, thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I’ve been reading your posts and learning a great deal. I just started photography and I own a Canon 60D. I have a Canon 50mm and Canon 18-200mm lenses. What is the best lense to take portraits?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Dec 10, 2017 10:41:16 #
I usually use my EF 85 f/1.2 but since that's not on your list I'd go with the zoom lens and good lighting.
Dec 10, 2017 10:42:57 #
Dec 10, 2017 10:45:58 #
You have a fine set of gear. In time, you may want to add a longer prime portrait lens of, say, 85-135mm, but there is no need to rush that. You should continue as you are apparently doing to learn as much as you can about all the capabilities of your Canon 60D and its current lenses. One other book you might benefit from (available from Amazon and elsewhere, including possibly your local library) is Bryan Peterson’s “Understanding Exposure”. Many UHH members feel Peterson’s book is one of the best references on that important topic. Good luck!
Dec 10, 2017 10:46:00 #
Thanks! I certainly would consider adding a lense for my portraits so I value your input.
Dec 10, 2017 10:46:56 #
Dec 10, 2017 10:48:49 #
Dec 10, 2017 11:03:51 #
Welcome! Most find a prime lense of ~85 on a full frame, or ~50 on a crop camera a good portrait lens.
Note: If you click on "Quote Reply" we can tell to whom you are talking.
Note: If you click on "Quote Reply" we can tell to whom you are talking.
Dec 10, 2017 11:15:51 #
DesertLife wrote:
Greetings, thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I’ve been reading your posts and learning a great deal. I just started photography and I own a Canon 60D. I have a Canon 50mm and Canon 18-200mm lenses. What is the best lense to take portraits?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Join the portrait forum and ask all your questions there.
Click on 'Home' Then 'All sections' Then scroll down to see the portrait section and finally click 'subscribe'. This way every time you use UHH you will see if there is something new in that specific section.
Dec 10, 2017 11:17:31 #
PHRubin wrote:
Welcome! Most find a prime lense of ~85 on a full frame, or ~50 on a crop camera a good portrait lens.
Note: If you click on "Quote Reply" we can tell to whom you are talking.
Note: If you click on "Quote Reply" we can tell to whom you are talking.
You could have done the same thing...
Dec 10, 2017 11:47:42 #
Dec 10, 2017 11:48:52 #
PHRubin wrote:
Welcome! Most find a prime lense of ~85 on a full frame, or ~50 on a crop camera a good portrait lens.
Note: If you click on "Quote Reply" we can tell to whom you are talking.
Note: If you click on "Quote Reply" we can tell to whom you are talking.
I believe the Canon 60d is a crop camera so my 50mm prime lense should work.
Thanks for both tips!
Dec 10, 2017 11:49:34 #
Rongnongno wrote:
Join the portrait forum and ask all your questions there.
Click on 'Home' Then 'All sections' Then scroll down to see the portrait section and finally click 'subscribe'. This way every time you use UHH you will see if there is something new in that specific section.
Click on 'Home' Then 'All sections' Then scroll down to see the portrait section and finally click 'subscribe'. This way every time you use UHH you will see if there is something new in that specific section.
I’ll do. Thanks so much.
Dec 10, 2017 12:07:35 #
rjaywallace wrote:
You have a fine set of gear. In time, you may wan... (show quote)
The book doesn't show one how to do good portrait. It deals only with the triangle which is the easiest thing in portrait.
Dec 10, 2017 12:23:54 #
DesertLife wrote:
Greetings, thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I’ve been reading your posts and learning a great deal. I just started photography and I own a Canon 60D. I have a Canon 50mm and Canon 18-200mm lenses. What is the best lense to take portraits?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Your lenses are more than adequate. The biggest challenge for beginners is understanding how to light their subjects. I would suggest setting up a sitting area (studio-like) in a gage near the rolling door. This way you can get diffuse complementary lighting - soft, smooth, no hotspots and nicely directional. If you need to add more light to the other side away from the open door, use a large reflector - I use white rigid insulation board or a folding reflector.
At some point in time you will want to use flash. The rule that will get you the best results is never point an unmodified strobe or flash at a subject - best is bounce, next would be a softbox, shoot through diffuser, an umbrella - shoot through or reflective, etc. The goal is to keep your light source as large as possible for the most complimentary light. Study the basic portrait lighting setups - you can find them by googling for classic portrait lighting.
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