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Alison

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Alison
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I've been commissioned to write a biography and although I have photographs of the subject available to me, all the decent ones are copyrighted. One way or another it would just be less complicated (and cheaper) if I took my own. My words, my photos; it keeps everything so much more simple.

He's a member of the Guinea Pig Club, thus the "interesting" appearance of his face will be central to parts of the book.

I'm new to photography, never taken any portraits and this is the kit I have:
  • Second hand Canon EOS 350D EF-S 18-55 kit
  • EF75-300mm lens
  • Cheap tripod that I haven't tried out yet
What do I need in terms of a backdrop, lighting or a new lens for this purpose? As far as lighting goes, all I have is the integral pop up. I've not taken any indoor photographs since I acquired the camera. Might it just be better to take some outdoor shots? I do feel that I'd need some properly lit indoor ones too though.

I have ideas on the type of shots/poses that I want and what I'd like him to wear but any advice on that from the perspective of someone reading the biog would be very welcome. What would draw your eye in and interest you? What would you like to see?

Thanks in advance for any input :)
 
For indoor shots you could use a wndow. And if you can get the angles right, you can use the window as the backround maybe. That will save you having to spend any hard earned on more gear.

I've recently taken a few pics using just window light and it works wonderfully. There should be little problem (because the set up is simple and not intimidating) trying to get your subject to relax and the sort of stuff you're trying to do, the quality of light would be just right I think.
 
The gear you have will be fine too and if you can, you should defo use the tripod. It makes all the difference. An absence of camers shake is a must.
 
Of course I can.

Beth_-_Cafe_Nero_Manchester_360.jpg


I've never worked out how to post more than one pic at a time so I'll look for some more and post them too.

In the meantime, if you felt inclined you could have a look at some of my other pics on my Picasa.

www.ardrey.co.uk

There are a few 'window light' pics on there but there's a danger you'll bore yourself to death looking for them so I'll find some and post them here.

One thing I do use a lot is the good old Lastolite. Are you famillier with these?
 
Cheers Badger! The lighting in the second shot you posted looks good for what I think I'm after. The biog subject is a game old bird and by his own admission somewhat vain so I'm sure he won't mind me visiting to take lots of practice shots.

I'm not familiar with Lastolite so if anyone could tell me more, that would be great :) I also saw Tomas's self portrait using a beauty box and was wondering if this is something I could attempt to make.
 
A Lastolite is a big fold-up reflector. You can get them in white, translucent (for firing flash through) silver and gold. Great they are.

How did you get the gig? Sounds like a fastinating thing to do.
 
Badger UK said:
How did you get the gig? .
Click to expand...
Luck, knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time. Plus an awful lot of charismatic temerity (aka brass necked cheek ;)) which I have in abundance :lol:

Badger UK said:
Sounds like a fastinating thing to do.
Click to expand...
It is and it isn't. The scandal and adventure are indeed fascinating. The research into the more mundane stuff is simply that - mundane. But necessary. It's the military side of things which I'm finding difficult most of all, plus where to make the start point of the life story.
 
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