Help?... Pretty please

B

bec281996

Suspended / Banned
Messages
23
Name
Rebecca
Edit My Images
No
I'm going to college soon and need to make a portfolio of photos and wanted some ideas of what to put in my portfolio and what to take photos of.

I also wanted to know what settings i should set my camera (Canon 400d with a 18-55mm lens0

Would be grateful if someone could help!:)
 
Hi Rebecca, welcome to the forum!

I'm a third year photography & video student at University, so can help you out with this :)

The settings you use on your camera will completely depend on what you're photographing. Everyone works in different ways, but I tend to use AV mode (aperture priority) so that I control the aperture and ISO, but the camera selects the shutter speed for me.

What kind of photography are you interested in?
 
OptimusBri said:
Hi Rebecca, welcome to the forum!

I'm a third year photography & video student at University, so can help you out with this :)

The settings you use on your camera will completely depend on what you're photographing. Everyone works in different ways, but I tend to use AV mode (aperture priority) so that I control the aperture and ISO, but the camera selects the shutter speed for me.

What kind of photography are you interested in?
Click to expand...

How funny, i was just looking at your post and profile!:)

The sort of photography i'm into is fashion, and after college i'm hoping to go to University to study this! I love watching the photographers take photos of the sherri hill models, inspires me.

Im looking at bokeh photography at the moment for just a little section in my portflio (I've put some photos in the forum General Photo Sharing) and wanted to know what settings to use.

I love photography, and just want to be the best i can be!
Hope i havent gone on to much ;) Haha
 
bec281996 said:
How funny, i was just looking at your post and profile!:)

The sort of photography i'm into is fashion, and after college i'm hoping to go to University to study this! I love watching the photographers take photos of the sherri hill models, inspires me.

Im looking at bokeh photography at the moment for just a little section in my portflio (I've put some photos in the forum General Photo Sharing) and wanted to know what settings to use.

I love photography, and just want to be the best i can be!
Hope i havent gone on to much ;) Haha
Click to expand...

Well try to get some portraits and fashion based work in your portfolio then :) I've looked at the photograph you posted in the sharing section, and though it's a nice shot, it doesn't bear much relevance to what you're interested in. It will take time to build up a portfolio that you're happy with though, so don't worry too much to start off with!

Perhaps ask some friends if they would be willing to model for you?
 
OptimusBri said:
Well try to get some portraits and fashion based work in your portfolio then :) I've looked at the photograph you posted in the sharing section, and though it's a nice shot, it doesn't bear much relevance to what you're interested in. It will take time to build up a portfolio that you're happy with though, so don't worry too much to start off with!

Perhaps ask some friends if they would be willing to model for you?
Click to expand...

Thank you for your help so much! Hope if you decide to do the wedding photography that it goes well!
 
bec281996 said:
Thank you for your help so much! Hope if you decide to do the wedding photography that it goes well!
Click to expand...

You're welcome :) Feel free to get in contact any time you need advice. Everyone on the forum is fantastic too.

Thanks, but I decided to cancel in the end - it was way too much drama to deal with!
 
OptimusBri said:
You're welcome :) Feel free to get in contact any time you need advice. Everyone on the forum is fantastic too.

Thanks, but I decided to cancel in the end - it was way too much drama to deal with!
Click to expand...

Thank you! I looked on your facebook page and your Egyptian photography looking amazing! I cant wait to be that skilled!
 
bec281996 said:
I'm going to college soon and need to make a portfolio of photos and wanted some ideas of what to put in my portfolio and what to take photos of.

I also wanted to know what settings i should set my camera (Canon 400d with a 18-55mm lens0

Would be grateful if someone could help!:)
Click to expand...

Hi Rebecca

To be honest its no use asking what to photograph,

I would say take photos of things you like, you will soon find what is interesting you most, so concentrate on those areas.

As for settings, that depends on what you are shooting

Dave
 
bec281996 said:
I'm going to college soon and need to make a portfolio of photos and wanted some ideas of what to put in my portfolio and what to take photos of.

I also wanted to know what settings i should set my camera (Canon 400d with a 18-55mm lens0

Would be grateful if someone could help!:)
Click to expand...

I am a firm believer learn your equipment learn how to shoot in manual in everything you do the more you practice the better you will become it will become second nature and you will also become more creative in your work good luck :)
 
bec281996 said:
How funny, i was just looking at your post and profile!:)

The sort of photography i'm into is fashion, and after college i'm hoping to go to University to study this! I love watching the photographers take photos of the sherri hill models, inspires me.

Im looking at bokeh photography at the moment for just a little section in my portflio (I've put some photos in the forum General Photo Sharing) and wanted to know what settings to use.

I love photography, and just want to be the best i can be!
Hope i havent gone on to much ;) Haha
Click to expand...

Can only really repeat others' advice - shoot what you like, enjoy and are good at! Not sure what level of experience or kit you currently have but assuming you're a relative beginner and have a DSLR of some sort, I would start by using the semi-automatic modes rather than diving head first into fully manual exposures - they can come later when you're aware when and how best to use it.

For the bokeh type shots, you'll need the widest aperture you can get, ie the smallest number. On most kit type lenses that's likely to be somewhere around the f/3.5 area - the smaller the number, the shallower the depth of field. Start in Aperture Priority (A on Nikons, Av (IIRC) on Canons, check manual for other brands!) and dial in the smallest number. It could be that your current lens doesn't give the lovely out of focus background that you're after - don't lose heart though, faster lenses (which generally give "nicer" bokeh) are available and depending on the speed shouldn't break the bank. A 50mm and/or a 35mm f/1.8 prime(s) are a good starting point and should help you get that effect. IIRC, there's a Nikon 85mm that's nicknamed the cream machine because it does bokeh rather well.

I'm sure you'll have friends who are into fashion and would love a few decent photos of themselves, either for facebook or prints. Asking costs nothing and the worst they can do is say no! Don't restrict your portfolio to any one genre though - the person looking at the portfolio to decide on admissions might not shere your favourite genre and overlook the fact that you're talented simply because he/she doesn't share your tastes. Take some non-fashion portraits, a few land/sea scapes to show your versatility; you never know, you might enjoy the experiences!

For your portfolio, you'll need good prints. Find out how many photos they like to see and what size they would prefer - bigger is generally better but adds cost to printing and the actual portfolio (carrying case). The whole thing may cost you a few quid but don't forget that your whole future career could depend on it so it's worth a reasonable investment.

All the very best with the application and interview.

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