RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

I havn't shot any formal portraits, however I do shoot candids when out and about. There are a couple that may be a bit different and I was wondering if it was ok to post them, along with a few words.

CO

I think you should post them.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Thanks. Both were shot with available light.

The first one was shot during an opera rehearsal. This is the assistant director.
The original (RAW) was low contrast, leaning towards a bit high key. The background was mostly a white wall.
It was shot in a hall with just 8 banks of twin flouro lights (utilitarian) in the high ceiling, with a bit of difused sunlight comming through the western windows very late in the aftermoon. Normallly it is not a great place to shoot (lighting wise) ISO 1600 @ F2 territory.

#2 Is at a motor racing meeting. Shooting in the garages is like shooting in a cave. Open skylight directly behind me. I was crouching, or sitting, down in the doorway.

Canon EOS 5D + Canon EF85mm f/1.8 USM @ ƒ/2.0 F=85.0 mm 1/200 and ISO 1600 Available light

(Download)

#2 - Canon EOS 40D + Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM ƒ/8.0 F=400.0 mm 1/60 ISO 3200 Monopod and IS (VR) would have been on.

(Download)

MattPhox Loc: Rhode Island

#1 is superb.

CO

I thought #1 is excellent also. I was using Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 the other day and saw one of their filters that produces an image a lot like yours. It's their Antique Plate II filter. I just applied the filter to one of my photos. I'm not trying to hijack your post. I just like the look that it produces.

(Download)

CO

Photo #2 is very good. I like how the light is concentrated on the driver's face. The only thing I would say is that the helmet is white and its brightness draws some of the attention away from the driver's face.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Richard, absolutely, post them. My post were just intended to get something started!
Looking forward to seeing them!
SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

CO, no hijacking taken!!! LoL
In photography school the way one learns any concept is to see hundreds of different photos that show that concept. Then goes out and executes that concept.
The concept here is portraits, Formal or not that are different, even experimental. That's how others will start to see WHAT a different portrait might look like and learn to venture out themselves. It's what makes the light bulb go off in their heads and they say, "why didn't I think of that"!
So post anything you think is pertinent to the discussion!!!
SS

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Thank you.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Thanks . Your image looks real good.
Normally for my B&W conversions (and not just portraits) Silver Efex Pro is my first port of call with maybe a minor tweak if needed.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Red, thanks and welcome to the Hog!!!
Hopefully you will get some pointers and ideas to get some great shots of those grandkids of yours.
The problem when starting out is that you probably don't have lighting which of course contributes greatly to the look and quality of the image.
AND ambient light is the hardest of all to use it right. It takes way more experience than using strobes because it's much harder to apply and control, not to mention it can be changing on you and sometimes FAST!!! LoL
SS

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Some thoughts, and this is from experience even though I am just a hobbyst (with just one grandaughter), and an available light shooter;

#1 Get down to their level - it will make the shots more "intimate".
#2 Know your gear backward - keep in mind that if you are not looking through the viwfinder you usually can't shoot it.
Fidling with the camera is not good or playing around with menues.
Know how to quickly and consistently nail the exposure and the focus (on the eyes).
#3 Overcast days or indirect skylight is your friend (no harsh shadows or squinting).
#4 If shooting indoors windows with indirect skylight are also your friend.
#5 Be prepared to shoot at high to very high ISO values if need be and be prepared to post process your raw files to get the most out of them.
#6 Fill the frame with your subject, however shoot a little "loose" so you are not inadverantly cutting off hands or feet etc

I generally like to use fast lenses at wider apertures (to isolate the subject) and auto ISO.
I usually shoot aperture priority with some exposure compensation dialed in if need be (my current bodies have a live histogram in the viewfinder).
When shooting I keep chimping to a minimum unless the subject wants to see the image I have just shot.

For practice you may like to try shooting birds in flight!

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Some fine work posted here, interesting discussions that I will be following...have a few I might dig up and post...love your #2 !!!

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

I love Dave's #2! Both good but for me #1 has a detracting shadow that #2 overcomes. And Sharp Shooter, your three photos are all pleasing to me. I especially want to say how much I like this thread you have created. I have taken only a few decent portraits and am following mostly to learn, but thank you so much for doing this! I hope we start to see more threads like this for various photography styles. Tom

charlieg54

Thanks for starting this discussion. I just received my first speedlight, a Nissin 700 with an Air 1 remote to use with my Fuji Xt-2. I’m excited to start learning portrait techniques. I can already see I’m going to need at least one more light.