Expert help please portrait photography
Nov 22, 2011 11:41:25 #
Hi: I'm trying to improve my portrait photography. I use a Minolta X700 film camera with detachable flash that I use on the hot shoe. I'll post a couple of those photos (processed and put on CD for upload to computer). Also, I use a Canon T3i digital camera with pop up flash. I'll post one of those photos. I recently purchased a reflector which has helped to get a better look from the eyes (not so dead looking).
But, how can I improve my set up without lugging around a lot of equipment (as my mobility isn't very good), buy a different flash for the T3i? Well, please give me your opinions. My goal is to produce photos that my daughter is happy with. Thanks, Cheryl
But, how can I improve my set up without lugging around a lot of equipment (as my mobility isn't very good), buy a different flash for the T3i? Well, please give me your opinions. My goal is to produce photos that my daughter is happy with. Thanks, Cheryl
Minolta film camera w on camera flash
Minolta film camera w on camera flash
Minolta film camera w on camera flash
Canon T3i on camera pop up flash
Nov 22, 2011 11:49:38 #
I'm just starting to learn my speedlight so I'm no expert by any means, but I do like your posing, #3 you have some bad cropping (at the wrists) but other than that it's very nicely done.
Your catch lights are all right in the center of the eye, are you bouncing your flash or shooting directly at the subject?
For the T3i - don't use the pop up flash, there is no way to direct the light to make it flattering to the subject and will 95% of the time look "flashy".
Your catch lights are all right in the center of the eye, are you bouncing your flash or shooting directly at the subject?
For the T3i - don't use the pop up flash, there is no way to direct the light to make it flattering to the subject and will 95% of the time look "flashy".
Nov 22, 2011 11:56:36 #
MWAC wrote:
I'm just starting to learn my speedlight so I'm no expert by any means, but I do like your posing, #3 you have some bad cropping (at the wrists) but other than that it's very nicely done.
Your catch lights are all right in the center of the eye, are you bouncing your flash or shooting directly at the subject?
For the T3i - don't use the pop up flash, there is no way to direct the light to make it flattering to the subject and will 95% of the time look "flashy".
Your catch lights are all right in the center of the eye, are you bouncing your flash or shooting directly at the subject?
For the T3i - don't use the pop up flash, there is no way to direct the light to make it flattering to the subject and will 95% of the time look "flashy".
Thank you, I'm not bouncing the flash. I'm not really quite sure how set the camera settings if I try to bounce it. I need to practice with that. As for the T3i, I probably should purchase a separate flash. When you are trying to get light to the eye, do you want to see a bit of the flash reflecting or should the eyes be w/o reflection of a flash? So many questions.
Nov 22, 2011 12:04:10 #
You want to see catchlights (reflection from your light source), ideally you do not want the catchlights to be in the center of the pupil, more toward the 10 and 2 o'clock positions of the iris.
Nov 22, 2011 12:10:02 #
MWAC wrote:
You want to see catchlights (reflection from your light source), ideally you do not want the catchlights to be in the center of the pupil, more toward the 10 and 2 o'clock positions of the iris.
I've been wondering about that. I do find that my Minolta images are a bit soft and dreamy like, not as sharp. However, I like that the flash illuminates the entire subject. Whereas my digital just needs a different flash set up, but produces clearer images. Another issue that I have is the skin tone, sometimes the photos appear ashy sometimes very tan, etc. I guess I'll save that for another post. But, thank you for your input. I'd love to get good enough to save my daughter from paying the professionals in order for her to have her comp card updated like every half a year. So expensive..
Nov 22, 2011 12:30:25 #
In #1, your backdrop is way too close to her hair color - something darker / fuzzy color?
Nov 22, 2011 12:41:43 #
Ugly Jake wrote:
In #1, your backdrop is way too close to her hair color - something darker / fuzzy color?
Ya, I realized that too late. But in person her hair color wasn't quite as washed out. Image #2 was taken at the same time and it didn't come out as washed out. Frustrating...ya know. But, I keep plugging along. Thanks, Cheryl
Nov 23, 2011 09:09:22 #
I made a diffuser (a little plastic one that pops over the pop-up flash for when I am out and about and don't have my speed-lite).
I think that would help.
I think that would help.
Nov 23, 2011 10:03:21 #
She's a very pretty girl that you capture well, but I find all your backgrounds distract from what you want to achieve.
Nov 23, 2011 10:03:48 #
She's a very pretty girl that you capture well, but I find all your backgrounds distract from what you want to achieve.
Nov 23, 2011 19:45:05 #
John Kenyon wrote:
She's a very pretty girl that you capture well, but I find all your backgrounds distract from what you want to achieve.
Thank you, it's hard knowing where to shoot outside with a subject. I've heard the background should be the opposite colors of what your subject is wearing (but not clashy) and blurred. Then, I've heard and read that you want the person to wear similar colors to the background scene. Confusing sometimes. Cheryl
Nov 23, 2011 21:49:09 #
Dunatic wrote:
Hi: I'm trying to improve my portrait photography... (show quote)
Nice set of portraits but the background is distracting away from the otherwise great shots.
My only sugestion is to open up the aperture a couple of stops thus blurring the background, otherwise a good sat of pics
Ian
Nov 23, 2011 22:27:57 #
They all look really nice. I agree with the cropping. The lighting looks like what you would call flat (because of the direct flash). You say you have a detachable flash?? Do you have an off shoe cord so you can move the flash to just above forehead height and at about 45 degrees to your subject. It will add some shadowing to one side of the face thereby adding some depth. Use a reflector on the non flash side for a little fill light. Give it a try, move your light around off camera axis. You'll be surprised at the results.
Nov 23, 2011 22:33:15 #
skidooman wrote:
They all look really nice. I agree with the cropping. The lighting looks what you would call flat (because of the direct flash). You say you have a detachable flash?? Do you have an off shoe cord so you can move the flash to just above forehead height and at about 45 degrees to your subject. It will add some shadowing to one side of the face thereby adding some depth. Give it a try, move your light around off camera axis. You'll be surprised at the results.
What he said!!!!
Nov 23, 2011 23:19:47 #
This is a topic that I could talk for a long time,here are a few thoughts, if the subject is a portrait I want the background to go away. The worst comment would be 'I loved your picture the sunset was beautiful' or look at that blue, but what about the girl!? Make the background simple or even blank. Make the viewer look at the person by getting rid of distractions.
Use Aperture priority and set your aperture wide open. A portrait lens usually has a very fast f/stop such as f1.8 or better giving a very narrow DoF blurring the background.Like your portrait with the forest in the background only more so.
A dark background, or deep shadow will make the background be a frame not a subject.
Use Aperture priority and set your aperture wide open. A portrait lens usually has a very fast f/stop such as f1.8 or better giving a very narrow DoF blurring the background.Like your portrait with the forest in the background only more so.
A dark background, or deep shadow will make the background be a frame not a subject.
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