Basic "corporate" photo's

Southdowns

Southdowns

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Mark
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I need to take a few basic photo's of colleagues next week. It's for something that's not worth spending any money on, but I do want them to be as good as possible.

Biggest problem will be lighting; all I have is the pop up flash! That said most could be done outside or even on site (we manufacture and instal ductwork), and candid shots of people "at work" would work well. At least one would need to be taken in a fairly dingy workshop though!

Any tips to get the best out of the shots?

Also any basics for directing the subjects when posing? I'm not expecting miracles; one of the guys is nicknamed Shrek!!!!!

I have a DSLR with APS-C sensor (1.5 crop factor), the 18-55 f4-5.6 kit lens, a 50mm f1.8 prime, and a 70-300 f4-5.6 zoom, plus a tripod.

Cheers,

Mark
 
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OK thanks, I think! I was really hoping to get away with no-one saying I needed to get a flash, but you just had to mess it all up didn't you Russ? Not only did you say I needed one, but you pointed me to a good deal too, so I've had no choice but to order one!

Seriously though, thanks. That is a good deal (same price as a very basic poor quality one I saw on Amazon). The prices of flash guns has surprised me more than anything else; last time I bought one, in the early 80's, I'm sure they were a LOT cheaper compared to the camera's and lenses.

OK, so now I just need a few basic tips for the actual shots please, given that I have very little time available to practice!
 
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You can get some great indoor portraits using window light and reflectors, you just need to know what you're doing. And when the light isn't available (dingy workshop) try standing the guy just outside the workshop using natural light.
With the nifty 50 and a bit of imagination and a reflector you're good to go for some great environmental portraits.

No need to buy a reflector, you can create one for pennies using cardboard boxes and printer paper.
 
Thanks Phil. Given what we do we have lots of shiny sheet metal around, so it's tempting to think we have more reflectors than we know what to do with, but I'm guessing silver reflectors would be very wrong for this?

A lot of photo's in our industry seem to be taken using coloured lighting - often blues and purples - on the metal. I have no idea why, and it's becoming a bit cliche'd, but it does kind of work.

Not that I have any coloured lights!

I think with those two bits of advice I'm good to go on the lighting thank you. Any tips re posing people; just the basics? Possibly how to make the best of an, umm lets just say "aesthetically challenged", gentleman?

I'm quite looking forward to it now; I might even post the results on here for C&C :)
 
Rather than "candid", think "environmental portrait" (i.e. a portrait of someone in their usual work environment). If you do a search for the right term there are plenty of sites with info. I agree with Phil, try and pick the best lit spots and maximise the available light. The pop-up flash is highly unlikely to make the shote better.

For posing, I never aim to get the shot on the first few shutter presses. Folk get more relaxed is they think you are the bumbling fool rather than then being the gawky subject. At least, that's my excuse.

But be warned, colleagues are the worst possible models.. ..

As for Shrek.. black and white soft focus? :lol:
 
I would probably find a blank wall, preferably not white, position them as far from it as you can and shoot in manual with a touch of fill in flash (pop up will be fine).

You might struggle in the dingy area though as the A200 is pretty bad at anything over ISO400 but I'd have thought you could get something with the 50mm.
 
Southdowns said:
OK thanks, I think! I was really hoping to get away with no-one saying I needed to get a flash, but you just had to mess it all up didn't you Russ? Not only did you say I needed one, but you pointed me to a good deal too, so I've had no choice but to order one!

Seriously though, thanks. That is a good deal (same price as a very basic poor quality one I saw on Amazon). The prices of flash guns has surprised me more than anything else; last time I bought one, in the early 80's, I'm sure they were a LOT cheaper compared to the camera's and lenses.

OK, so now I just need a few basic tips for the actual shots please, given that I have very little time available to practice!
Click to expand...

Sorry about that :lol:

The good thing with that flash is the swivel/bounce and built in diffuser, gives you plenty of options in most environments/situations :)
 
Alastair said:
As for Shrek.. black and white soft focus? :lol:
Click to expand...

Or up close, wide angle with a green gel :p

More seriously, a longer focal length can be more flattering and use the available light as much as possible. Try the sheet metal as reflectors, it should work. Consider the pop up flash outside in daylight as well, it can add a little brightness to your subjects to make them stand out more. If you do use the flash it can cause heavy shadows behind your models so don't have them too close to the wall behind them.
As for the rest of the image, watch out for the background. Try and avoid having plants/lampshades/fence posts... from sticking out behind their heads.
HTH :)
 
Thanks for all that, very handy :)

The Flash arrived today (a day late; don't trust Jessops next day delivery), and it is great so far. I don't understand half of it, but great none the less!

Mark
 
Honestly, if you haven't got a couple of months to learn how to use the flash subtly, the best advice is to stick to all the natural light advice. I really do understand the job as a great excuse for gear, but great natural light portraits are quite easy once you know your camera, flash is an ingredient too many.
 
Yes thanks Phil. It's good to have the flash, but I do understand he importance of natural light.
 
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