Portrait help

gavinpotter2010

gavinpotter2010

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Gavin
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Hi Peeps,

I have just started getting quite into my photography and find a lot of enjoyment on reading about portrait photography.

I would like to take the next step and wanted to find the best way of getting advice face to face. I have had a quick look for courses but its difficult to filter the good from the bad.

What are peoples advise? I am based in Mansfield Nottingham.
 
To be honest, ive never been the 'academic' type, and much prefer just getting out there and DOING it! There are countless resources on line which can be used for research proposes, Flickr, for example. If you do a search for portrait photography groups on there, you will be able to look and see what kind of portraits appeal to you.

Of course, all this depends on what kind of advice you are looking for. Technical? People skills? Poses? This forum has a lot of members that are very good when it comes to portraits also, and im sure that there will be people based close to you. Maybe you could organise a meet in your area with like minded photographers from here?

What sort of thing do you thin you need face to face advice on?
 
Well mainly as I have not met anyone else face to face except on a recent all rounder course. So its difficult to know how to get advise on finding models what equipment to use maybe even sometime in a studio with like minded people who know I am there to learn.

I have looked for groups locally and found one that runs from September to May which I will join in September, but really want to start now :-)
 
Have you looked on the Meeting Place section of this forum? There may be some meets locally to you, or if not you could organise one. With regards to models etc, do you have any friends that would model for you? You could have a look online at Model Mayhem, where you wouldnt necessarily have to pay to shoot a model, but they would expect some shots that they could perhaps use for self promotion etc.

When you talk about settings, there really isnt a 'one size fits all' bit of advice that we could give, as it all depends on what you want to achieve, the lighting conditions, your equipment etc etc etc...too many unknown factors. I truly believe the best thing you can do is to go out with your camera, and take some photos of people ;). At least that way you are learning about settings / what does and doesnt work.

I wish you the best of luck.
 
I'd agree with nick and look at meeting section and keep an eye out for maybe a portrait/model meet, there was one last year close to me in northants although I couldn't make it, it would have been an excellent way to meet and get advice..
No reason why you couldn't put a thread up asking for something along those lines, you never know it might be in someone's plans and a gentle nudge might be what they need :D


Sent from The Moon.....
 
Yeah settings I totally appreciate are difficult to help with due to too many variables.

Its more of meeting like minded people to gain confidence before asking someone who is use to the environment to pose.

I have not looked in the meeting section so that's where I will be going next.
 
Hi Gavin,
The Meeting Place is a good place to start and also make sure you post plenty of pictures for critique, there are some great people on here (quite a few I have met with now). As to the model bit I know what you mean. I am in a similar position, although I am happy with settings for me it is more about poses etc. I'm not far from you (Nottingham) so if you manage to find anywhere let me know, there are a few studios for hire around Chesterfield and I know of a couple near me too, 1 in Derby even offers mentoring sessions, where you hire the studio plus a small fee and they stay to help you with set ups and poses etc. Just need to find a willing victim, errmmm model :D
 
yeah sure Chris will keep you informed if I find anything, would really like to start to get to know some people who are a little more experienced been advised to check out a few sites Model Mahem ect so I joined up there yesterday maybe post something tonight.

I find portraite photography very artistic and something that really interests me so really hope I find what I am looking for.

Also joined Photography for Beginners Magazine as they are holding an on-line class type situation and this months module is for portraits so will be having a blast at that this weekend, and I am sure I will post the pictures here for criteque as well as the learning module.
 
Has anyone used any of the Training sessions at Bright Light Studio's in Derby?
 
I'm from Chesterfield and used purple port to hire an experienced model to work with me while I practiced my skills. I'd recommend it and it's great fun. There's also a Facebook group that shares good locations for photo shoots - a really good read, thanks Mandy
 
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