Help portraits/people

[Crazyhorse]

Hi

I don't do people shots. However, some colleagues have asked me to do some individual portraits plus a couple of group shots. They will be wearing full operational fire kit (black with horizontal reflectors). Plus the very pretty young girl in the office has asked me to do some of her too.

My lenses are:
70-200 F4 L
20-35
Nifty fifty
Kit lens

40D + tripod

For the individual shots, which metering mode do you recommend and would I be best using the 70-200?

Also, some of the lads will be wearing their helmets, any tips on that? (eg shadows, reflection etc - Firemens helmets)

Would the wide angle be best for the group shot? and if so, where abouts into the group should I focus and which metering mode should I use?

We'll probably have appliances in the background.

I tend to shoot in AV

I have a flashgun and reflector if necessary

We will probably be outside

Any tips would be appreciated.

Obviously, they're not expecting 100% tip top, or they wouldn't have asked me.

Lisa

 

[david1701]

try http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/ and make some of those particularly the featherlight for cutting down on reflection. I never though it would be useful but I made some last night and have been playing and so far it works brilliantly

 

[qualar]

Lisa don't be hard on yourself.

The 70-200mm is excellent for portraits but you will need the space. It will allow you to get good close ups if needed without been really close to the subject. Also the big advantage of that focal length is that it will be more flattering to your subjects.

For the fireman shots I would try shooting them outdoors on a bright but overcast day. You will have a real problem with flash because those reflectors they wear are very effective.

For the shots of your friend you would be best getting the flash off the camera to one side of your model (ideally shot through an umbrella and place really close to your model) then use your reflector on the other side to soften the shadows on that side plus under the eyes and nose. Ideally you want to use manual mode, if you don't have alight meter just set your shutter to your cameras flash sync speed then use trial and error to set the aperture. I find with my studio flash I am usually working at an aperture around f/8.

Hope this helps.