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#1783 2008-05-06 16:09 GMT |
I'd like to take some portrait photos of family and friends. So far they aren't quite "frame worthy"!! Does anybody have tips on how to pose or capture my subject in a more flattering way? Or whether black and white would be more difficult or better in any way? Thanks!
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#1785 2008-05-07 07:53 GMT |
hello monique
portrait photography is great
i also want to know if there is anyone who can tell us how to get the professional poses we get at studios and at what angles
i always try to copy the photos of others to know how they did it
and that is how we all learn
look with your eyes at the feelings and impressions of faces
and try to copy them (both in people and in pro photos)
black and white photos give retro feeling filled with nostalgia and sometimes sadness
and it can cover some flaws especially overexposed skys
sorry if the info did not help
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#1786 2008-05-07 07:55 GMT |
also picasa 2 has a lot of options to play with photos and get great results so try it it is for free
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#1787 2008-05-07 09:07 GMT |
thanks azeem, the info does help. i'll look up the picasa 2 and see what it's about
i do try to copy the poses or set ups of others but i guess it will take experience to get the knack for it!
i will look through some portrait books for ideas and make some notes on photos i like then try a few of them out
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#1790 2008-05-07 15:04 GMT |
To have success with portrait photography you need to have a firm understanding of the lighting.For portraits in natural light, harsh sunshine can lead to deep shadows on the subjects face.So a burst of fill in flash or a reflector to reduce the shadows is desirable.
If you are shooting indoors in natural light try to place the subject next to a north facing window and use a reflector to bounce some light back on to the subject.
If you are using a strobe/flash,avoid using the on board unit and use an external unit to bounce the light off a ceiling or wall.When using bounce flash make sure the surface you are using is white to avoid color casts.Good luck.
Regards,Les.
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#1794 2008-05-08 08:58 GMT |
thanks davles that is very helpful.
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#1803 2008-05-09 08:59 GMT |
Basically you just need to watch for shadows that you dont want on your subject.
Couple of things to watch for:
1. Double chin
2. Shadows under eyes
3. Other skin problems
Basically if it looks bad, fill it with light and it will give it a bit less dimension which is good for larger people. Also black clothing is flattering for large people.
As for poses - if you learn to do the poses yourself it helps - thats what ive been doing lol but im only a guy so dont know the female poses!
"Time goes on, things change from moment to moment, and a photo is all that remains of the moment past..."
mbaker.com.au |
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#1813 2008-05-10 02:23 GMT |
as of everything in a photography - first what you want from those pictures? Beauty, character, age, relationship - any of those ideology - has it's own language and if you do the same picture that you did for your 99 yo grandgrandgrand - to the wedding - you have a risk to be thrown out from the house. Lense - again what you want - but it is good to have a nice, not so sharp but good colored 50-90mm prime. I can recomment russian Jupiter 9 - fantastic glass. Then - forget AF - in portrait we are talking about f2.8 - means you have to know where to place focus, and sometime you want it a bit out of focus. Hands only. Skin imperfection in era of PS - is not a problem in most cases. Then just remember - that any object closer to lense is bigger face in close range taken from the chick - most likely the chick will have some swollowing), and if it is directed to you lense and has no angles it become very small - try to get somebody with 2 arms extended to your camera - one slightly bended, another straight - you will see that bended is 25% longer.
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