Dumb portrait question

Crazyhorse

Crazyhorse

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Hi

An acquaintance has asked me to take some shots of her and her partner. (She's not after any earth shatteringly fabulous photos, or, obviously or she wouldn't have asked me).:) But I'd like to do the best I can.

I will be using my 40d and my best lens is my 70-200 2.8 L. However we might have to do them outside due to using the 70-200 (as space inside might be tight).

I do have a sigma 105 macro, but would still have to stand some distance away if she wants full body shots.

Now the questions are:

*When shooting two people, where is the best area to focus? (I'm unsure if she wants head and shoulders or full body shots).

*If I have to use my flashgun, it's not capable of wireless operation, so will it reach the distance if needed? (Sigma 530 super). I do have a flash extender but I've never used it.

I have an off flash cord and stand for the gun. I've also got a reflector.

I took some really lovely shots of my daughter and her boyfriend and we were all happy with them, that was outside on a bright day but not harsh sunlight (and I was lucky that the exposures somehow were correct and there were no horrible shadows or anything). But, with it being my daughter, there was no pressure or stress involved which I think helps.

Any advice off you chaps and chapesses will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Lisa
 
Just thought, I hope it's not a dully rainy day like today when we arrange to do these shots......
 
Crazyhorse said:
*When shooting two people, where is the best area to focus? (I'm unsure if she wants head and shoulders or full body shots).
Click to expand...
The golden rule of portraits is to focus on the eyes. When positioning 2 people together for a portrait you have to consider your depth of field so that you can get both sets of eyes in focus. If you have one person in front of the other then this can get difficult, especially if you are outdoors and want to get the background nicely out of focus.

As for the lighting, outside on a very overcast sky can be ideal because all those big white clouds act like a big softbox that spreads the light evenly. Admittedly you don't want rain or grey clouds but similarly, you don't want strong sunlight casting harsh shadows. With a reflector held by an assistant then you should be able to get some nice light. Use the a gold reflector on a dull day to warm the light up a bit.
 
Thanks ever so much for your reply. Do you have any other tips etc?

Re the outdoors bit, it was lovely when I typed my initial post and now it's grey and hissing it down, that's what prompted me to add the extra post.

Thanks again.

Lisa
 
tripod...
then consider the rest
 
Crazyhorse said:
Hi

An acquaintance has asked me to take some shots of her and her partner. (She's not after any earth shatteringly fabulous photos, or, obviously or she wouldn't have asked me).:) But I'd like to do the best I can.

I will be using my 40d and my best lens is my 70-200 2.8 L. However we might have to do them outside due to using the 70-200 (as space inside might be tight).

I do have a sigma 105 macro, but would still have to stand some distance away if she wants full body shots.

Now the questions are:

*When shooting two people, where is the best area to focus? (I'm unsure if she wants head and shoulders or full body shots).

*If I have to use my flashgun, it's not capable of wireless operation, so will it reach the distance if needed? (Sigma 530 super). I do have a flash extender but I've never used it.

I have an off flash cord and stand for the gun. I've also got a reflector.

I took some really lovely shots of my daughter and her boyfriend and we were all happy with them, that was outside on a bright day but not harsh sunlight (and I was lucky that the exposures somehow were correct and there were no horrible shadows or anything). But, with it being my daughter, there was no pressure or stress involved which I think helps.

Any advice off you chaps and chapesses will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Lisa
Click to expand...

what other lenses have you got?
 
mrcrow said:
tripod...
then consider the rest
Click to expand...

I'll have to disagree there, I've never used a tripod for portrait work. Far too constricting, and I've never felt the need for one. If the shutter speed is slow enough to warrant a tripod, then the subjects will need freezing in position too.

Lisa, if you're shooting outside, pick your moment. Wait for some nice sun, get the 'flector out, and don't bother with a flash. As it's a friend, I'm sure they'll be willing to wait for suitable weather if shooting outside. If you're inside andneed the flash, bounce it, diffues it, ANYTHING you can to soften shadows and make the light appear more natural.
 
ChrisMClark said:
I'll have to disagree there, I've never used a tripod for portrait work. Far too constricting, and I've never felt the need for one. If the shutter speed is slow enough to warrant a tripod, then the subjects will need freezing in position too.

Lisa, if you're shooting outside, pick your moment. Wait for some nice sun, get the 'flector out, and don't bother with a flash. As it's a friend, I'm sure they'll be willing to wait for suitable weather if shooting outside. If you're inside andneed the flash, bounce it, diffues it, ANYTHING you can to soften shadows and make the light appear more natural.
Click to expand...

i will have to agree on that premise as well
i used the tripod so i can move around and separate from the camera
talk to the sitter and used a cable release
it meant i didnt have to be associated with the camera and could watch the poser..group without recourse to being in line with the lens or stuck to the eyepiece...sort of waiting for the 'right' moment and not getting a sore eye or back.. so that we both were free as it were from the one eyed monster
portraits
but that is old shop
today i expect all have uprated iso speeds with good results so your comment seems quite valid
cheers

i know my place
 
mrcrow said:
tripod...
then consider the rest
Click to expand...
Can I ask what your thoughts were behind this comment? I wouldn't recommend using a tripod at all. Portraits should be taken where the light is sufficient to not need a really slow shutter speed so handholding will be fine. If it is slightly low light then flash should be used which again negates the need for a tripod.

EDIT: you've just answered the question as I was typing it.
 
-Rob- said:
Can I ask what your thoughts were behind this comment? I wouldn't recommend using a tripod at all. Portraits should be taken where the light is sufficient to not need a really slow shutter speed so handholding will be fine. If it is slightly low light then flash should be used which again negates the need for a tripod.

EDIT: you've just answered the question as I was typing it.
Click to expand...

its an old habit...for a portrait sit the sitter fix the camera
stand back and wait
cable release
shoot
strictly not for outdoors or flash use...sort of studio hype
sorry

i know my place:thinking:

edit i saw your edit ..please excuse..we are getting a new boiler put in
my mind is fragmented
 
mart77 said:
what other lenses have you got?
Click to expand...

Hi everyone

Many thanks for the replies, very useful indeed.

The other lenses I have are:

Sigma 10-20
Canon 20-35
Sigma 105 macro
Canon kit 18-55

I have a tripod and cable release.

The shots I took of my daughter and her boyfriend which I have to say are half decent were taken with the 70-200 2.8 L handheld and were sharp. However, it was a bright day, but not harsh sunlight. I've taken candids with that lens too and they're fine.

I was just wondering what I would do if we had to take the shots indoors, space is an issue and so is the background. I have some large cream throws I could use but no stand to put them on.

Lisa
 
ChrisMClark said:
I'll have to disagree there, I've never used a tripod for portrait work. Far too constricting, and I've never felt the need for one. If the shutter speed is slow enough to warrant a tripod, then the subjects will need freezing in position too.

Lisa, if you're shooting outside, pick your moment. Wait for some nice sun, get the 'flector out, and don't bother with a flash. As it's a friend, I'm sure they'll be willing to wait for suitable weather if shooting outside. If you're inside andneed the flash, bounce it, diffues it, ANYTHING you can to soften shadows and make the light appear more natural.
Click to expand...


It's not a friend but an acquaintance. She's a police officer and I did some shots of her and her colleagues and sent them off to them. She contacted me today to ask if I will do a shoot of her and her partner and she is going to pay me. :clap:

Lisa
 
Lets hear it for the tripod, I would not totally disregard it, as MrCrow says its lets you become divorced from the the camera and be more natural with the sitter; and outdoors, its let you put your camera down somewhere safe.
 
I haven't tried my 70-200 on portraits yet, I mainly use a 24-105 which I adore! I do a lot of close ups so you may be OK at 70 with two people, but I'd imagine you'd need a lot of space.

I love shooting in the autumn, great colours if you can get a day without rain!

Good luck, looking forward to seeing the results
 
mrcrow said:
i will have to agree on that premise as well
i used the tripod so i can move around and separate from the camera
talk to the sitter and used a cable release
it meant i didnt have to be associated with the camera and could watch the poser..group without recourse to being in line with the lens or stuck to the eyepiece...sort of waiting for the 'right' moment and not getting a sore eye or back.. so that we both were free as it were from the one eyed monster
portraits
but that is old shop
today i expect all have uprated iso speeds with good results so your comment seems quite valid
cheers

i know my place
Click to expand...

To each their own :) I personally hate using my tripod, but that's just me.
 
Do it outside and cloudy is great, full sun not so great, head for the shade if that happens. Your setup with Camera and 70-200 is perfect.

Set the aperture to 5.6 and leave it at that, adjust your ISO so that shutter speed is at least equal to focal length, i.e. if you are at 70mm then shoot at 1/70 no slower. If you are at 200mm then 1/200, no slower.

If light is poor either wait for it to improve or push you're ISO higher and if you have one use a monopod.

Most of all concentrate on your rapport with the couple, chat to them constantly, give them encouragement and make them laugh. Ask them to think of things, like who would win a fight between a badger & squirrel, whatever.

Do all this and you will get amazing material.

....and lets see some and then we can help you get better.

have fun.

Cheers
Frank
 
ChrisMClark said:
To each their own :) I personally hate using my tripod, but that's just me.
Click to expand...

so do i that is why its in the loft

but i have a tripod so not mentioning it and its practical reasons for use could put someone off who could make the correct use of it

i use it for groups and indoor shots at low speeds...i always use the lowest iso
 
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