Amateur Photo Shoot - TIPS/ADVICE

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Scott_HKR

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Scott
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Hi.

A friend of mine has asked me to take some photo-shooty style photos of her, and I was just wondering if there were any tips anyone could give me?

By the time I will be doing the photos I will have a samsung wb500 digital camera.

She wants some full body shots doing, portrait style head shots doing, all against as it stands at the moment against a white sheet back ground.

She wants to provide some nice shots for her family, and a few more risque shots (underwear etc.) for her boyfriend.

Would love any tips I could get for this kind of thing.

Thanks, Scott
 
What sort of lighting do you have available to you?

If you are indoors and want the background bright white you would need some off camera lights to light the background only and then a keylight for the subject just off to your side. (you could use all flashes if you have enough)
 
I will only be using my camera and tripod, so the only light I will have available to me is the natural light really, and of course the camera flash, but aint gonna be much.

Tbh, when I say photo-shooty style, I mean that in regards to poses etc.

Think lighting isn't going to be an issue with her particularly as she is only going to be using them for herself and to give as a gift to others.

I was meaning more in the photograph taking sense, and placement of her etc.
 
Hi Scott,

You're asking a lot of a £150 compact camera. You could, of course, take photos with it but it depends on your and her expectations of the results.

Usually when looking at white background shots you would light the background with one or two off camera lights (remotely triggered flashguns or studio lights) and light the model with another one or two lights or maybe a light and a reflector.

Achieving this with a compact camera and on board flash will be pretty tricky.

I would suggest the best results for portraits from a compact would be in good natural light, outdoors on bright but overcast day or close to sun rise or sun set.
 
Very constructive post.

Common sense tells me that I aren't getting any "professional style" stuff from a digi camera, but I think I could get some decent stuff.

I also belive that she isn't expecting anything of this standard either, think she knows she's getting it done for nout etc. so its just a bit of fun between us that will result in her having some snaps of herself.

Also, regarding outdoor stuff, this won't be any good for any lingerie stuff she wants to do, so taking this into account, any suggestions for what/where/how this could be done?
 
ShawWellPete said:
I would suggest the best results for portraits from a compact would be in good natural light, outdoors on bright but overcast day or close to sun rise or sun set.
Click to expand...

I agree, I think you may both be disappointed by the results if taken indoors with only natural light and an on camera flash.

Lighting is key to taking a good photograph, especially indoors where it will make or break a photo.

Matt
 
Thanks, and before anyone asks, it came up on another forum I had posted this topic, yes she is over 18 lol.

I am 20, she is 20
 
Scott_HKR said:
Very constructive post.

Common sense tells me that I aren't getting any "professional style" stuff from a digi camera, but I think I could get some decent stuff.

I also belive that she isn't expecting anything of this standard either, think she knows she's getting it done for nout etc. so its just a bit of fun between us that will result in her having some snaps of herself.

Also, regarding outdoor stuff, this won't be any good for any lingerie stuff she wants to do, so taking this into account, any suggestions for what/where/how this could be done?
Click to expand...

Constructive?

Scott, I almost didn't answer because I feared that would be your response. The fact is that glamour photography with the onboard flash and a compact camera, it will be hard to not end up with reader's wife style photographs.

The other portraits will greatly benefit from good light, hence my recommendation.

But give it a go anyway and then you could come back and ask why the white sheet looks grey and why the light is harsh and unflattering.

Compacts are fine for many things, in good light landscape results can be very good and macro stuff is often impressive. But studio portraits and glamour, you're expecting a lot.
 
Scott you got some good advice there and it's not a reflection on your photographic abilities but let's consider some of the technicalities for a moment.

To get a background to appear as white you have two options. One is gross overexposure because your camera "sees" the world as 18% grey so a white background will get pulled down to grey by your camera. You would therefore have to compensate for that by overexposing by a good 2-3 stops, which will, in turn trash your subject!

The other, and the way it is normally done, is to light the background and subject separately. That's the way to make the background go white while not overlighting the subject.

You won't be able to replicate this kind of setup without lighting of some sort, either flashes or studio lights. Simples. Grey creased sheets will be the order of the day I'm afraid.

If I didn't have access to the right kit to do the job then I'd be doing axactly what Pete recommended and going off outdoors with a reflector.
 
I totally appreciate where everyone is coming from with the comments, don't doubt that I don't, and I'm very appreciatvive of all advice given.

I will definately rethink the white sheet, maybe a black background instead may be better?
 
Perhaps a 'skylight' bulb in an anglepoise aimed at the white sheet could be a compromise?
(not energy saving or standard, as they would be quite orange)
 
Try 10 anglepoises. That's the kind of power needed to get a 1-2 stop overexposure on a background if your subject is correctly lit.

personally at this time of year I'd be off to the woods while there are still leaves on the ground :) Ok she'd need to be a touch mad but that's what I'd do :)
 
AliB said:
personally at this time of year I'd be off to the woods while there are still leaves on the ground :) Ok she'd need to be a touch mad but that's what I'd do :)
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You would, would you? :eek: :thinking:

Would you take a rug with you?
 
If I was feeling nice :) mwahhhhhh!

Cover the edges of the rug with leaves so it's not so obvious and shoot from lower so it's not visable, and you could be nice :)

You could easily pose her against a tree so at least she would not get all mucky rolling around on the now manky rug. There are all sorts of tree trunks and branches you could use.

I know one lady who did a fetish shoot on the mossy floor of a wood using nothing other than a reflector and a mamiya 645 and it was stunning!

(I would actually be REALLY nice and take a dressing gown and flask of hot tea or coffee coz I'm nice to my models )
 
As some of you have stated, a white background isn't going to be viable.

What about a black background?

Also, I shouldn't have any problems with close up pictures should I either?
 
I would be tempted to try something different for the "boyfriend" shots as you have a tripod. Set up a longish exposure, have her posed on something with a plain background (rug or sofa) in a darkened room and use a moving torch to light her. Practice beforehand on an inaminate object but you should be able to get some interesting shots this way.

Family shots - take advantage of natural light and some nice backgrounds.
 
Kerioak said:
I would be tempted to try something different for the "boyfriend" shots as you have a tripod. Set up a longish exposure, have her posed on something with a plain background (rug or sofa) in a darkened room and use a moving torch to light her. Practice beforehand on an inaminate object but you should be able to get some interesting shots this way.
Click to expand...

That's good advice. Or try something like this one I did with just a bunch of tealights (if you can manage not to burn the house down! :lol:). You don't NEED fancy lights with a little imagination. There's a bit of PP here but with a little experimenting you could get some interesting and atmospheric results.

indracandles.jpg
 
take a chaperone...........;)
tripod would be useful to leave hands free to do adjustments to the scenery and props
take skin tone readings and dont let the background rule
crumple it up a bit and keep any lighting from shining on it directly
it is a back ground and is only there to hide other backgrounds..its not to be too noticeable and judging by some of the shots...wont be...!!
 
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