portrait tips

ThyJones

ThyJones

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Hi there,

One area of photography I've not done much of is portrait photography and i want to have a go at this to see if it's something I like.

I read a magazine the other day, saying that you can aid portraits with light reflectors, and also something as a backdrop, such as black/white card.

My gear is as follows: Canon 500D, 18-55 Kit Lens, and a Canon 55-250 IS.

I can get card anywhere, but as this is something I've got no idea if I will like, I don't fancy shelling out loads of money. Can anyone recommend a kit/setup that isn't too expensive/home made maybe, that I could use to give me a taste?

I may be able to borrow a nifty fifty for a few hours as a trial too.

I've also got no external flash, don't know if this makes a difference?

Thanks
 
you can get light discs of amazon and ebay for a few quid, and they work wonders and fold up small. i got one that has multiple colours for about 6 quid.

external flashes can come in handy and you can pick up a relatively basic one for about £35-£40 quid on the ebay, try and get one with slave trigger though, and you can creatively light the subject too!

home made?? quality street papers, elastic band over the flash _ make shift flash gels perhaps.....


the key is to use as much ambient light as possible and make sure your white balance is spot on and you'l be fine!!
 
Make reflector with A3 foam core board and foil. That and natural light is a good start.
 
To take a successful portrait, all you need is a camera, your imagination and a subject.
The first skill is the interaction with the subject, the 2nd is to control the environment for a pleasing composition, then you can think about making the light work for you.

So you've got loads you can do before you have to spend a penny. And once you get to controlling light, that can start with a room with curtains, or a shed with a door to close, then add a simple reflector (white t shirt) then more complicated reflectors / lights until you build up to a complete studio set up.
 
Phil V said:
To take a successful portrait, all you need is a camera, your imagination and a subject.
The first skill is the interaction with the subject, the 2nd is to control the environment for a pleasing composition, then you can think about making the light work for you.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with Phil on this one. If you are shooting someone that's not used to sitting for portraits it's essential to get them comfortable and relaxed otherwise it shows big time. Also, posing doesn't come naturally to some so some knowledge of poses can come in very handy (this is somewhere I really struggle sometimes, especially if it's someone I don't know very well).

Crack that part and the rest will seem like a doddle :)
 
and don't tell people how to pose - show them (it allows you to make a fool of yourself aswell to reduce the tension and build rapport
 
Something I find can help is a remote release - it means I don't need to be hidden behind the camera thus making it easier to talk to the sitter and create an atmosphere - if taking pictures of kids it can also help to let them fire off one or two shots.
As others have said, the relationship is the most important bit by far - a window provides enough light during daylight hours and a sheet or some sort of reflector (tin foil?) will help, but the subject needs to feel relaxed as do you !
 
From my little experience;

Focus on the eyes.
Make sure your focal length is at least 50mm (35mm equivalent)
Don't have distracting backgrounds, with things growing from heads.
I generally use my 50 1.8.. If you're struggling for backgrounds, this usually throws it out anyway. Example, there were people and cars in the BG here..

GMH Edit 1 by ^Joe, on Flickr
 
or 85mm for a full frame camera

I like to use a 70-200mm for more flexibility, longer seems better
 
Last edited:
tezmed said:
you can get light discs of amazon and ebay for a few quid, and they work wonders and fold up small. i got one that has multiple colours for about 6 quid.

external flashes can come in handy and you can pick up a relatively basic one for about £35-£40 quid on the ebay, try and get one with slave trigger though, and you can creatively light the subject too!

home made?? quality street papers, elastic band over the flash _ make shift flash gels perhaps.....

the key is to use as much ambient light as possible and make sure your white balance is spot on and you'l be fine!!
Click to expand...

Dont suppose you have specific model of external flashes you mean, theres loads lol
 
tezmed said:
you can get light discs of amazon and ebay for a few quid, and they work wonders and fold up small. i got one that has multiple colours for about 6 quid.

external flashes can come in handy and you can pick up a relatively basic one for about £35-£40 quid on the ebay, try and get one with slave trigger though, and you can creatively light the subject too!

home made?? quality street papers, elastic band over the flash _ make shift flash gels perhaps.....

the key is to use as much ambient light as possible and make sure your white balance is spot on and you'l be fine!!
Click to expand...

Good shout with the reflector! Need to get one.
 
For a cheap backdrop solution, i would recommend a cheap blackout blind from argos. Loads of different colours & reverseable too. Cost between £12 - £20 depending on size.
 
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