Photographing our darker-skinned friends :)
Jun 11, 2012 11:46:52 #
I have my first shoot coming up in which I'll be photographing African American friends of mine. Any tips? I have a Canon t1i and a couple of prime canon lenses (70-200 and 35mm fixed).
Thanks in advance,
Betsy
Thanks in advance,
Betsy
Jun 11, 2012 12:00:15 #
If your friends are very dark complected, avoid a white/light background. Take a couple of test shots, first.
Jun 11, 2012 12:24:07 #
Generally todays exposure meters are pretty good at making correct recommendations when photographing darker skinned subjects. But remember that they can be fooled.
The meter is usually making a recomendation that will render an exposure of middle gray. Generally!!! In a situation like this I would suggest that you begin with a normal meter suggested shot, and then a second that I about one full stop under exposed.
Knowing this, by setting your mode to manual you can take control and tell the camera to do what you want.
Reason; if a normal exposure wants things to be gray, a person with black skin would not look normal. By under-exposing you control the exposure and the photo will render those skin tones in a more natural and pleasing way.
The wonderful thing about digital is that you can chimp some to make this a learning experience and provide your friends with some pleasing photographs.
Have fun and good shootin',
Ziggy
The meter is usually making a recomendation that will render an exposure of middle gray. Generally!!! In a situation like this I would suggest that you begin with a normal meter suggested shot, and then a second that I about one full stop under exposed.
Knowing this, by setting your mode to manual you can take control and tell the camera to do what you want.
Reason; if a normal exposure wants things to be gray, a person with black skin would not look normal. By under-exposing you control the exposure and the photo will render those skin tones in a more natural and pleasing way.
The wonderful thing about digital is that you can chimp some to make this a learning experience and provide your friends with some pleasing photographs.
Have fun and good shootin',
Ziggy
Jun 11, 2012 12:25:51 #
Jun 11, 2012 12:27:28 #
A lot of people say that dark skinned subjects are more difficult, and they probably are in certain lighting. However, for what I've done, I have actually had more difficulty getting skin color and decent exposure that I was happy with, with lighter skinned subjects than with darker.
Obviousy, mileage will vary. :)
If you're shooting an important event and really worried about it, shoot in RAW. Get exposure as close as you can in camera to begin with. Take some test shots early on, if you can and then zoom in on the LCD to see how the details are coming in. Get it how you like it and then during post processing, if you have a few problems, you can make some minor adjustments if you have to.
Obviousy, mileage will vary. :)
If you're shooting an important event and really worried about it, shoot in RAW. Get exposure as close as you can in camera to begin with. Take some test shots early on, if you can and then zoom in on the LCD to see how the details are coming in. Get it how you like it and then during post processing, if you have a few problems, you can make some minor adjustments if you have to.
Jun 11, 2012 16:50:55 #
I don't have anything to add.
I hope you will post some results, thoughts, tips, etc!!
We all can learn.
Thanks,
Pat
Edit,
Here is an old post that may be helpful.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-13492-1.html
I hope you will post some results, thoughts, tips, etc!!
We all can learn.
Thanks,
Pat
Edit,
Here is an old post that may be helpful.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-13492-1.html
Jun 11, 2012 22:10:15 #
The only thing I have experienced that hasnt been said is to think about flash. Flash tends to reflect a little more on some darker skin. With this said natural light or defused or bounced flash.
Jun 12, 2012 09:10:57 #
Lucian
Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio
here is tip for you, use the gold side of a reflector to bounce your light onto to light a dark skinned person, it give a very pleasing coloured light source compared to using it with white skinned subjects. Try both gold sided and silver or white side to see the difference on a dark skinned subject, that way you get to see what I am talking about.
Jun 12, 2012 09:16:58 #
I really don't have a problem since 80% of my photos are of minorities of various colors. Watch out for shadows and sunlight and if you use a flash bounce it off the ceiling and if you have it a better bounce card!
Jun 12, 2012 13:37:23 #
betsy wrote:
I have my first shoot coming up in which I'll be photographing African American friends of mine. Any tips? I have a Canon t1i and a couple of prime canon lenses (70-200 and 35mm fixed).
Thanks in advance,
Betsy
Thanks in advance,
Betsy
The question is aggrevated by the misuse of the terms "white" which isn't anywhere near white and "black" which isn't anywhere near black. More accurate would be light tan and dark brown, and even these terms lack precision.
If your friends are of medium or average coloration for A-F folks, try one stop difference. Better yet would be to simply do a test shot close up of say a cheek or bare back of your friend and then another of yourself or a white friend in the same lighting and of the same area of the body. Set your camera to Shutter priority so the only variable is f-stop, and let the camera tell you what the allowable difference is.
Jun 12, 2012 13:50:00 #
these are all very good tips, I have some friends also which are very dark skin that I'm going to take some family pictures of just for the learning experience
The big thing that I understand is to tell people with light color to avoid wearing very dark colors, and people with dark color to avoid wearing things in very light colors. In other words, everyone needs to wear medium tone colors. Like a muted french blue shirt. Also I know from my own experience to avoid bright colors which are at the fashion right now.
Remind them that you want the clothes to be subdued, that the picture is about them, not thier clothes.
Please show your pictures after you take them, and share your experience.
Great topic.
Cheers, Rach
The big thing that I understand is to tell people with light color to avoid wearing very dark colors, and people with dark color to avoid wearing things in very light colors. In other words, everyone needs to wear medium tone colors. Like a muted french blue shirt. Also I know from my own experience to avoid bright colors which are at the fashion right now.
Remind them that you want the clothes to be subdued, that the picture is about them, not thier clothes.
Please show your pictures after you take them, and share your experience.
Great topic.
Cheers, Rach
Jun 12, 2012 15:11:28 #
Jun 12, 2012 20:05:45 #
Nevada Chuck wrote:
quote=betsy I have my first shoot coming up in wh... (show quote)
I never said white or black.
Jun 12, 2012 21:24:10 #
betsy wrote:
quote=Nevada Chuck quote=betsy I have my first s... (show quote)
NO need to get testy, Betsy. I note that you didn't, but the overwhelming majority of people who speak English do, hence my reference to these common terms.
Jun 12, 2012 22:42:32 #
betsy wrote:
I have my first shoot coming up in which I'll be photographing African American friends of mine. Any tips? I have a Canon t1i and a couple of prime canon lenses (70-200 and 35mm fixed).
Thanks in advance,
Betsy
Thanks in advance,
Betsy
Alright Betsy...First off, all of us on the "Hog" probably need to know what type of setting you are taking pix under. Secondly, if they are TRULY some of your "African American" friends WHY have you NOT already taken pix already? Surely there must have been Holidays and plenty of gatherings for photo-ops. Sounds to me like you are just digging around for free advice WITHOUT putting the time into learning the ART of photography. Do your homework, read your manual, and DO NOT waste other peoples time. :thumbdown: :evil: 8-)
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.