Nikon D7500 Best Simple General Portrait Setting
May 16, 2019 18:34:24 #
bobishkan
Loc: Fort Myers Sunny Florida
Hi Everyone: I have lots of occasions to take simple head shots with my Nikon D7500. I only use jpeg. I don't want to post process. I use a single on camera flash. After playing around with all the camera's settings in picture control and pre set portrait modes, I can't seem to get what I'm looking for, no red faces and some color saturation on the clothing. Any setting suggestions? I realize that nothing I'm saying will get me great professional looking shots. Just want to get fairly good shots in a hurry. I'm a chaplain in a Florida prison taking pictures of inmates for their families and can't bring in lots of equipment. We are talking 200-400 head shots every three weeks in several prisons. Thanks Bob
May 16, 2019 18:44:32 #
On camera flash is probably the worst possible lighting for a portrait. Camera settings won't change that. It sounds like you want great photographs without actually learning photography.
May 16, 2019 18:46:08 #
that is with all due respect. One does need to work with optimal lighting and some processing.
--Bob
JohnSwanda wrote:
On camera flash is probably the worst possible lighting for a portrait. Camera settings won't change that. It sounds like you want great photographs without actually learning photography.
May 16, 2019 19:29:15 #
JohnSwanda wrote:
On camera flash is probably the worst possible lighting for a portrait. Camera settings won't change that. It sounds like you want great photographs without actually learning photography.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Bob, you might want to get a copy of Bryan Peterson’s classic paperback guide, “Understanding Exposure (4th edition)” from Amazon or elsewhere. Maybe your local library has a copy. Good luck.
May 16, 2019 19:32:44 #
Bob, There are members that can offer suggestions but not without knowing what settings you are using. You may want to attach a sample that they can examine. Good luck!
May 16, 2019 19:35:49 #
Arrange a plain, unobtrusive background that is perhaps 2 - 3 ft behind your subject.
Use a flash bracket to allow you to make vertical, 'portrait orientation' photos, and to move your flash above your camera.
Use a lens with a focal length of about 90mm or equivalent for a natural looking view of your subjects' faces.
Good luck!
Use a flash bracket to allow you to make vertical, 'portrait orientation' photos, and to move your flash above your camera.
Use a lens with a focal length of about 90mm or equivalent for a natural looking view of your subjects' faces.
Good luck!
May 16, 2019 19:56:15 #
bobishkan
Loc: Fort Myers Sunny Florida
I use pictures that are quite valuable to inmates for their family and girlfriends to get them to come to the chapel services. Hopefully they get more than a picture from their visit. As suggested, I have the background. I make them stand a few feet in front of the background. I use a Gary Fong diffuser for shadows. I use a lens at about 85mm. I use the bracket for red eye. What I can't seem to get are pictures that show some color (one of my backdrops has the American Flag) on the beautiful blue prison uniforms without getting some redness in the faces of the white inmates. Am looking for suggestions to in camera settings that might work. Right now I am in Program Auto mode, in Standard Picture Control with +1 in saturation and +5 in Sharpness. Background is blurred. Thanks to all who have already responded. Bob
May 16, 2019 20:13:12 #
Are you taking pictures indoor or outdoor? Could be a simple white balance correction. Try using the manual setting, the D7500 should handle portrait's beautifully.
May 16, 2019 20:14:59 #
May 16, 2019 20:17:02 #
bobishkan wrote:
I use pictures that are quite valuable to inmates ... (show quote)
What are you using for white balance? You might try taking a custom white balance since you won't adjust it in post. Also, if you put a large piece of white foamcore to the side of the subject and bounce the flash off that, the lighting will be better.
May 16, 2019 20:28:50 #
On axis lighting will not be the most flattering. As already mentioned, it will require off camera flash including white balance corrected. Learning how to bounce the light will also help when making quick shots.
May 16, 2019 20:35:07 #
These suggestions can get pretty complex for what might be a simple solution. Post a picture to show us what you mean.
May 16, 2019 21:22:27 #
A simple camera flash diffuser that slides over your on camera flash will knock down the harsh light from the flash. Under $10 on eBay. It could help. Good luck.
May 16, 2019 21:31:11 #
SeamusMac wrote:
A simple camera flash diffuser that slides over your on camera flash will knock down the harsh light from the flash. Under $10 on eBay. It could help. Good luck.
If you would just read the thread - it's less than a page - you would know that the OP uses a Gary Fong diffuser.
May 16, 2019 22:03:09 #
My sincere apologies JohnSwanda. And how anal of you to point that out to me.
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