Help for first time portrait assignment.

[stormyguy]

My first post here so hello to everyone.

I'm after some advice regarding some portrait shots I've been asked to take.

A friend has asked me to take a variety of shots for her portfolio as she has heard I am 'handy' with my 20D. However I'm not experienced at portrait work - usually I'm a landscape type of guy! I'm really keen to get these right and take some really flattering great looking shots (she wants some BW and some colour) I think I've got the 'bedside' manner sorted and I've invested so far in an 85mm F1.8 and a 50mm f1.8 II but the remaining equipment questions are as follows:

1. For indoor shots I'm going to get a Speedlite - but which should I go for?
2. Should I invest in a second flash to backlight my subject or is this overkill if I want to do this on a reasonable budget?
3. I've seen a little do-dad that goes over the head of the Speedlite to put a gold tint on the shot for helping with skintones which looks like a good idea - are these indeed of any use or a waste of ££ ?

Any suggestions on technique, great poses or examples anyone has for me to study (pref with data on settings) is much appreciated - I've had a bit of a browse through some of you guys shots on here already and am forming some ideas! I think the 50mm looks like it should take some real great images.....!

Thanks in advance for any help
Danny

[Robert_Lay]

1) Please do not burden yourself with the learning curve of flash photography while at the same time trying to focus on portraiture.
2) Lighting is EVERYTHING in portraiture, becuase it is the lighting that will determing the modeling (the 3-D effect).
3) Next to lighting, per se, is the color balance issue
4) Concentrate on outdoors portraits using natural lighting (open shade is best) - finding the correct setting and poses while maintaining the desired lighting will be the challenge.
5) Do not presume that color shots can be turned into B&W shots in processing. It does not work that way. The B&W image is all about tonality and can only be fully appreciated with modern cameras by putting them into B&W Effect mode so that you can get the proper visualization at the time you compose the image. In film days it had to be done with the B&W negative in the darkroom through trial and error using negatives that had already had the proper filters applied during the taking.
6) Soft focus effects can be applied later with PS.
7) For color shots be sure that the model's skin coloring and clothing are in harmony. Also make sure that you are familiar with the painter's color wheel and that you look for harmonious colors vis-a-vis backgrounds and props.
8) Study the poses and lighting of commercial workers to see if you can figure out their lighting techniques and the resulting modeling obtained. Also notice how they arrange the props and background to give the image depth.

[PhotosGuy]

5) Do not presume that color shots can be turned into B&W shots in processing. It does not work that way. The B&W image is all about tonality and can only be fully appreciated with modern cameras by putting them into B&W Effect mode so that you can get the proper visualization at the time you compose the image. That's OK if you have a lot of experience behind you, but for a beginner, I suggest that you shoot RAW so that you have post processing choices after you're done, + you still will have the color if you don't like the effect that you're getting. There are several ways to convert to B&W in the Post Processing "Sticky". Try them all before you do the actual shoot so you have some idea what effect you want to go for.
I also agree that natural light is the way to go for you. Good luck, and...

[gmen]

If you're going to be shooting with natural light as Frank suggests, it might be an idea to augment your equipment list with a reflector (perhaps with a stand) to give you some lighting options... something like this perhaps:

http://www.lastolite.com/originalreflectors.php

---- Gavin

[PhotosGuy]

Good point, Gavin. I still use 30" X 40" white cards. :o

[stormyguy]

Thank you for the advice - I will be sure to use it! Along with lots of other useful info I've found here! Let you know how it turns out....

Thanks
Danny