DPFotos Loc: Pembroke, Ma

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katbandit Loc: new york city

i didn't get the feeling that he was asking a question that entailed going into a business becoming a professional photographer...i figured that he wanted a starting point on how to take a senior shot of someone...
i would say the same as some of the others..it all depends..the lighting is the most important..are you indoors ...outdoors...is it dark out..etc..simply to take his d7000 and the one 85mm lens and improvise..use a reflector to fill in light ..open the aperture to blur the background..if using a flash make sure it is off the camera..bounce light instead of direct light etc...it is all up to the circumstances..digital is wonderful ..he can look at the result and adjust the photo accordingly ..
i remember asking many so called "stupid" questions too and felt awful if someone knocked me for it...when i started learning photoshop i did the same thing..it takes time to become more intuitive and to know what kind of questions to ask...
im sure buddhaman will build his skills one step at a time..

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Most (if not all) of us that do photography for a living tend to get a bit defensive when someone words a question(s) like this around a title of "Senior portraits", "weddings" or such. Nothing wrong with circling the wagons.....

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

Understood. But, before going to battle stations, take a deep breath, remove the ego from the equation, remember that an amateur isn't impying that it's 'Easy', and then reread the question.

RustyEire

There's a middle ground here, Annie Girl, and I think you found it while the good Captain went a bit over the edge. Yes, it's frustrating when someone seeks advice on how to be a pro portrait artist as quickly and effortlessly as pulling their shiny new Nikon out of its box, but the person who posted on this occasion was obviously not an English speaker, joined UHH just 2 weeks ago & didn't know (& shouldn't be expected to know) the ropes here, looks to me that he was writing from a different culture (not hard to guess with that User Name), was anxious to start and a bit ahead of himself with enthusiasm. Sure. Should he have waited a bit, done a little more background work, observed how things go here? Yeah. But here's how he introduced himself a couple of weeks ago: "Hi, i'm buddha. i'm new to photography. i need alot of help. I would love to learn how to take fantastic and beautiful pictures." Now giving buddhaman a little dose of reality is one thing, but flinging a pail of ice water in his eager face is quite another. The point of UHH is to help photographers find and indulge their passion . . . not drive them out of photography altogether. I'm not saying let's all sing "Kumbayaa" and sing songs of sweet support. Just a little bit of patience and courtesy, that's all. Remonstrate if it's required, but with a gentle and welcoming hand. Not a stinging slap in the face.

Just sayin' . . . .

Georgia Peddler Loc: Brunswick, GA

Oh, Give it up!!!!
Don't you realize that these "pretenders" are just sitting back and laughing their @zzes off as real photogs try to interpret and reply to their idiotic questions?
How about "Heart Surgeon" or "Electronics Engineer" or "Over-the-Road big truck driver" or "Pilot" - could you instruct them on how to enter those fields also?
It is a game with them and it is ever-increasing in frequency on a daily basis.
Just sayin'

Georgia Peddler Loc: Brunswick, GA

Captain - Excellent reply - Straight and to the point.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Budd, you will soon learn which comments to ignore and those to pay attention to. I did.
It of course would have been more helpful had you gone a bit more in detail about your setup, desires, particular problem, etc. but don't be put-off by the small minority who rule (or think they do) things. The object is to make your question as understandable as possible and hopefully learn some intelligent answers. Stick around... you'll become a bit more 'tough-skinned' and enjoy this otherwise great site.

Georgia Peddler Loc: Brunswick, GA

Snide ResponSe - and yes, that responSe was necessary.
How else will these wannabe's come to realize that photography, like most other venues, is not close to instant success because you have the latest issue from N, C, S?

cruizer Loc: Bucks Co., Pa. (USA)

Hey Captain...I'm also fairly new here and I was really offended by your response. Why not be more civil in your response no matter how you misinterpret the question. Not everyone is an expert as you seem to be. Many of us come to this forum for answers to honest questions. The insulting tone of your response will likely make many more hesitant to pose their questions here. If you're having a bad day, please don't take it out on others asking innocent questions. If you don't like the question, why not just move on without replying. Finally, the most revealing comment you made is that you don't care what forum members think. Wow....I'm sure that attitude makes everyone eager to share their thoughts with you.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I would go along with the Captain but he did not go on and tell you what you should do. You do have a great lens for head & shoulder shots. Most group shots your kit lens will work. In outdoor H&S you will want to shot with a wide open aperture that way the back ground will blur and the main focus will be on your subject. If you go out to the train tracks (a siding with no trains) you would want to use a small aperture so everything is in focus. In other words learn to use depth of field to get the effects you want. I would spend a lot of time looking at others works on the computer to get a repertoire of poses. I would even copy (fair use) the ones I liked best and take them to the shoot so you can copy. I would also find some willing soul or souls to spend a few hours with you while you practice. Get books and look on the web for how to do it and Study, Study, Study then Shoot, Shoot, Shoot, or should I say Capture, Capture, Capture, You do not need two cameras to do Portraits, If it breaks you can redo - Weddings are another thing. Good luck with your family pictures and if you like it go on to doing High School Seniors. - Dave

RustyEire

Here you go, Annie Girl! This is the ticket. This is the reality check we all need here at UHH. Onnly one problem, though: Georgia Peddler's figured out that buddhaman's just a "pretender" laughing his "azz" off at us poor schmucks trying to provide advice . . . but that GP paranoia is contagious. How do we know that GP's not one of those "pretenders" as well???
As for the continued need for civility, I give you GP, Troll Extraordinaire, as the Prime Paradigm. . . .
Just sayin'. Again.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

you mean experience, experience, experience

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

To address the captains response as well as answering the original request. "What setting do I use"


Use the "P" setting.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

In case you have not figured it out Captain is actually a very talented professional photographer and I believe he also chairs the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep organization which is a highly respected organization of professional photographers that volunteer their services to parents who have lost their new born infants (I'm sure its a gut turning job, with small children at home I know I could not attempt this job).

Trying to blast him for telling a new photographer that there is more to getting professional looking image than simply taking your shiny new camera out of the box is like telling a 16 year old there is more to driving nascar than passing your learners permit test and borrowing dad's station wagon.

I'm sorry if you are offended, but think of it this way... every time some smuck gets a new camera and posts about opening business, charging people for crappy images and then asks questions about what settings to use, the professionals, like myself and Captain (who is well beyond me in knowledge and skill) are just as offended.