Tips for newbie at portraits?

[SunTsu]

I'm just starting to think about doing portraits for my family members and figure I have the gear I need (I might need more lighting though). I'm looking for some recommended tips and/or books that people have found good.

I did a search on Amazon and found at least 5 books that look to be good portrait books, but I can't tell which are good and which are not, so if you have any which you have found to be better than others, please let me know.

Also, I just have one 580EX II and might be convinced to get another, but I'm not sure I'm ready to get a full studio set-up. I'd like to get some tips for what I can do with the equipment I already have, but if I'm way underequipped for lighting, please let me know.

I don't have a studio, so my house is going to have to do for now. I've got a pretty big house with lots of rooms, so I figure I can either use an empty bedroom or the living room which has a fireplace, window, etc. Any suggestions for good places to shoot (even if they are outside) would be great.

I've done some searching on this forum and online and the sites I've found have a lot of wedding portraits, but I think I'd like to do some shots that look formal and some that are really casual and not posed looking.

Thanks!

[PhotosGuy]

I have a few things in the Stickys: FAQ - Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140)

+ these should help:

Posing Using The 1-2-3-Positions
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=190878
The Rules Of Good Portraiture
http://www.photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/16516-rules-good-portraiture.html

Monte Zucker: A Posing Guide for Formal Bridal Portraiture
http://www.montezucker.com/content.html?page=6
Monte Zucker: Taking the Mystery Out of Lighting
http://www.montezucker.com/content.html?page=7
Monte Zucker: Light Control
http://www.montezucker.com/content.html?page=8
Monte Zucker: An Adventure in Classic (Images)
http://www.montezucker.com/content.html?page=5

[SunTsu]

Thank you! I'll take a look through those threads...maybe I won't have to buy any books. :)

[coalcliff]

I have just been asked by my gilfriend to shoot her brother and his family, including a newborn so these links will be helpful to me too. Thanks Frank and Sun

[DucoNihilum]

I have just been asked by my gilfriend to shoot her brother and his family, including a newborn so these links will be helpful to me too. Thanks Frank and Sun


I'm sorry, but does anyone else find this statement hilarious if you think of it from a non-photographers viewpoint? Maybe I'm just giddy....

[PhotosGuy]

Maybe I'm just giddy.... Take 2 aspirin & come back tomorrow. ;)

[SuzyView]

I say things like that all the time around my family and they don't even smile anymore. It's just normal talk for photographers, but yes, that is funny.

Just some advice from someone who messes up sometimes, when all else fails, move subject far from the wall and shoot on -1/3. Shadows and red-eye are the worst for family portraits. Read the lighting sticky and then you can decide if you need more than just a few flashes.

[coalcliff]

I'm sorry, but does anyone else find this statement hilarious if you think of it from a non-photographers viewpoint? Maybe I'm just giddy....


Hey, you haven't met her brother, I would need an elephant gun to bring him down, a national body builder champion... which reminds me to use the ultra wide angle lens to get all of him in the photo!:confused:

[n1as]

I'm sorry, but does anyone else find this statement hilarious if you think of it from a non-photographers viewpoint? Maybe I'm just giddy....

Many years ago (while in high school) I worked as a film maker apprentice. I went with a small team to Washington D.C. to do a commercial for a Congressman who was up for re-election. I did live sound and was the stills photographer.

We joked on our way out that when we got to the Capitol building, we'd just tell the guard.

"Ah, yes, we're here to shoot a Congressman"

We didn't actually say it but boy did we think it :-)

- Keith -