Portrait shoot, without a studio.....? Advice please??

[jonklein611]

Ok, the gf has seen my work, and she wants me to do some shots of her. Only thing is, the only rooms I have to work with are her bedroom, the kitchen, and the bathroom. I'd like the shots to come out well. The only kit i have is my new xti, kit lens, and an old school flash.

I'd like them to look better than just a "point and shoot" pic.

Does anyone have any advice for some form of lighting, composure, possible poses and such? It's next weekend, so I'm looking for some tips / tricks.

Also what settings should i be looking for? I'm planning on shooting some in RAW, and some in large jpeg.

Thanks in advance!

~ Jon

[ST77]

Well if your willing to spend around 50 bucks I would suggest hitting up walmart and home depot.
Home Depot for a Halogen flood light kit
Wal-mart for some king flat panel sheets 1 white and 1 of any color you wish to use for the back ground. ( I suggest black or dark red)
The white sheet can be hung from the ceiling and have the lights pointed thru it (instant soft box effect) or you can skip that part and bounce the lights off the ceiling so long as they are white and not that high. Hang the backdrop up and your ready. Use your flash to fill in any shadows on her face and you should yield pictures that don't have the point and shoot feeling to them.

[PhotosGuy]

Have you considered something like this? http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=122297

[mson]

Are you against shooting outside? Find an interesting place and wait for the magic hour. You should have plenty of good lighting if you pick a good location.

[jonklein611]

Have you considered something like this? http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=122297

hmmm, never thought of that!

Thanks, and I think a trip to wal mart / others would work well too.

[Dragos Jianu]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-GREY/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html

Can you resist it ? :p

Shoot either outside (you need shade - avoid harsh sun shadows over the face) or indoors by the window. Avoid messy backgrounds :)

[stathunter]

Be creative. You can do it cheap and easy. No one will know that you spent nothing on your equipment. You will be amazed at the results. Have fun!

[queenbee288]

I suggest you forget the extra lighting. If you can manage around $65 for the 50 1.8 you can shoot in natural light. I did these photos in a small exam room at work. I turned the lights off and opened the blinds on the window. I have the 50 1.4 which is great if you can afford it but if not the cheaper 1.8 will do ok most of the time.

I shot these at 2.8 with no light except the window. As I said, I turned off the overhead lights so that the window light was the onlylight source.

http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/143031610-M.jpg

http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/143031617-M.jpg

http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/159979064-M.jpg

http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/160098661-M.jpg

These were at home in front of a window.

http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/153218115-M.jpg

http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/153094142-M.jpg