Questions in preps. for first portraits

[Gr8outdrsmn]

A few of my friends have volunteered to pose for me to give me some practice. I have not shot any portraits before so this is a big learning experience for me. I have a couple of questions for you guys. Setting: It will be in a park with buildings, swings, bridges, waterfalls, many different locations for shooting. The day will most likely be either slightly overcast or partly cloudy to sunny.

1st: Which lenses should I carry along? I have 50mm f1.4, 100mm 2.8 macro, 17-40mm f4, and 70-200mm f2.8

2nd: i have the 430ex flash. Use it or not? i suspect that i should use it as a filler, just want to double check.

I am currently searching for any and all outdoor photos on here to help me with posing issues. I have the big pdf file of poses but those just don't really show me that much, they are too small and bland.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Mark_Cohran]

A few of my friends have volunteered to pose for me to give me some practice. I have not shot any portraits before so this is a big learning experience for me. I have a couple of questions for you guys. Setting: It will be in a park with buildings, swings, bridges, waterfalls, many different locations for shooting. The day will most likely be either slightly overcast or partly cloudy to sunny.

1st: Which lenses should I carry along? I have 50mm f1.4, 100mm 2.8 macro, 17-40mm f4, and 70-200mm f2.8

2nd: i have the 430ex flash. Use it or not? i suspect that i should use it as a filler, just want to double check.

I am currently searching for any and all outdoor photos on here to help me with posing issues. I have the big pdf file of poses but those just don't really show me that much, they are too small and bland.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


1st: Which lenses should I carry along? I have 50mm f1.4, 100mm 2.8 macro, 17-40mm f4, and 70-200mm f2.8 You're practicing right? Take them all and use them all. See what effects each of the lenses gives you. You'll find the 50mm and the 70-200 are probably going the be the best for portraits, but the 100mm will do an excellent job as well. The 17-40 won't be quite as good.

2nd: i have the 430ex flash. Use it or not? i suspect that i should use it as a filler, just want to double check. Once again, you're practicing, so use it and don't use it. Try dialing in some FEC. If you use your camera in Av or Tv mode (but since you're shooting portraits you're likely to be in Av), the flash will automatically reduce to fill - but it may be too much or too little reduction for your taste. I like to use a bit of fill flash for outdoor portraits because the flash adds a nice catchlight to the eyes. But try the portraits without the flash too.

Mark

[Gr8outdrsmn]

Thank you very much for the info. I dont know why i hadn't thought of doing all of that, haha. Thanks again.

[Mark_Cohran]

Thank you very much for the info. I dont know why i hadn't thought of doing all of that, haha. Thanks again.

You're welcome. Enjoy the shoot and don't forget to post some of the results.

Mark