portrate pictures

SpikeK6

SpikeK6

Messages
3,546
Name
Spike
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi

Well I have just started up in photography and had my camera for 2 days so know not alot really but looking to practice alot.
So my wife comes up with a brillient idea( i have to say that as she is sitting next to me) she says" now that you have a decent camera and need the practice why not take a few pics of our daughter then photoshop them onto a calender and we can give them out at xmas to the grandparents"


I say look love I have just got it and donot have all the gear yet, so my question is:

If i was to do this, what would i need bareing in mind that I have got a camera and a flash, that is it really. What could i use as a backdrop, lighting, etc etc
As much info would be great as it does sound a real good idea but if i need mega amounts of gear then it might have to wait till next year.

Thanks

Spike
 
I would say if you are on a limited budget get your daughter out into the local park and take some shots of her playing on the swings or in the sandpit or something. Go for a more natural looking shot and the grandparents will love it. Take plenty shots and go back the next day/week and take plenty more, you will soon learn about composition etc.

Have a great time and enjoy yourselves, you might just be surprised at what you can achieve!
 
Hi Spike

Actually you don’t need mega amounts of gear at all. In fact I suggest you leave the flash at home and let the sun do the lighting and let Guernsey provide the backdrops. So, just get out there and start learning and don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can’t take great picture without buying loads of gear.

Good luck with the 2010 calendar.
Sam-D
 
It's a good idea, left a little late in the year mind!

Anyhow - forget all the formal posing gear - the best options have been mentioned above. If you want to do some indoor stuff buy yourself a 50mm F1.8 lens and do natural stuff that way. You can use that outdoors too - fantastic piece of kit and if you don't get on with it they usually resell at only a few quid less than new!
 
Take your daughter to the park or even just the garden and get some shots.

Your wife's idea is great and you get the best of both worlds - happy grandparents and lots of camera practice.

What about some of your little girl playing with her toys, just a close one with shallow depth of field, in the lounge or somewhere. If you don't know how to do that on manual, do a few shots with the portrait setting then use it as an opertunity to learn how to do some shallow DOF images.

If you want a couple of posing images, have her sat infront of a plain wall - or if you don't have one, pin an ironed sheet to the wall. Tilt the flash up a little so that it doesn't go directly in her face.

Pay attention to the light metre on your LCD screen.

Just play about with your camera, - it's a great opertunity to learn how to use it and please the grandparents - let's face it, your photographs will be alot better in 6 months time, but any picture of their granddaughter will be treasured, so even when, in 6 months time, you think "hmmm, I could have done better..." the calanders will still be treasured!
 
With your 400D and kit lens (I'm assuming) you can take some perfectly good portraits. Just have fun and catch some natural moments with your daughter, you could include the missus in some as well.

Main things to watch out for; really harsh shadows on her face from the sun (probably not that likely in the UK :p) and be careful you don't get too close, as you will distort your subject.

Don't take it too seriously, it's not that difficult once you start shooting. :thumbs:
 
Some good advice here. You can do a heck of a lot with some decent daylight, especially if you use a reflector to fill-in and soften the shadow side of the face. Use a sheet of white card. Glue some cooking foil to it, dull side up, to make it more effective but not essential. Light from a big window is nice, preferably without any direct sun. Focus on the eyes. Maybe try a dash of fill-flash if you're feeling adventurous.

You don't need fancy equipment, just some sound basic technique (which only comes with practice and learning).
 
Thanks guys lots of info there to take on board.

Will have to just get out there by the sounds of it, but the weather is bad here at the mo so will have to wait, I will do it, to be fair I only need 12 decent pics so that should not be hard to do.

thanks again for all the advice.

Spike
 
to avoid the vagaries of weather and allow the lovely lass to dress up
set up a home studio...a backdrop can be anything with some texture...canvas is the best
non reflective and dull

if possible use a tripod and some home lighting rather than garish flash...the camera will balance and you can do the rest in photoshop

choose a seasonal wardrobe from furry coats to swim wear etc...hard to get 12 sets

use colours as well to delineate the seasonal feel..

dont try to do it all in one go...and since its a digital camera...with delete etc and loads of space on the card....shoot a lot

let the sitter in on the choosing as its their face..

bless you
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top