Anyone Do Portraits and NOT use a Studio??

[Mum2J&M]

I know many of you have studio set-ups for doing portraits. And I'm sure if you have a full-time job as a photographer, it's a bit tough to do shoots without one. But what I'm wondering is, are there any of you who will do outdoor portraits with only flashes and maybe reflectors only? Do people do this type of thing, say, part-time to earn some cash? I'm not talking for myself as I am far from feeling confident with this, but could it be something to aspire to? I have a lighting kit, but just as before, am finding I just can't get the time in for a class, or to teach myself how to use them. Just as I get it all out, the kids are tripping all over it, or they have to get put away again. It's very frustrating. I love the results, but I'm getting to that point where I may have to forego the idea yet again due to family obligations. I seriously wish I'd done more when I was younger and had the time! But, then, my kids were my inspiration to get back into photography. Anyway, that was one helluva long-winded question... lol. :lol:

[cyber_m0nkey]

Studio portraits and outdoor portraits are essentially 'styles' of portraits. nothing says you have to do one ,both or even even either. Find what works for you in the space and time you have. As long as you're enjoying it then be happy. As far as lighting is concerned, I've seen fantastic results from 430/580 style flash heads only, using reflectors, diffusers, you name it, so be creative, use ingenuity and create your own style.

[chickymcnuffin]

I do mainly outdoor/on-location shoots using natural light or my 430ex.... You just have to be sure to go at the right time of day, otherwise the sun can really affect your photos!

[Mum2J&M]

I was actually doing indoor natural light shots of my son by the window today and when I needed more light, instead of whipping out my flash, I brought a large mirror over and used some of the sunlight reflecting off of it. Seemed to work pretty well...

[cyber_m0nkey]

I was actually doing indoor natural light shots of my son by the window today and when I needed more light, instead of whipping out my flash, I brought a large mirror over and used some of the sunlight reflecting off of it. Seemed to work pretty well...

That's exactly the sort of thing I mean. For me I like doing things like that - the process is just as interesting and exciting to me as the final result.

[Mum2J&M]

Is white poster board a good reflector substitute? And is that the type of thing you could find at Walmart or something? I have reflectors hidden away in the attic somewhere (we're renting now), but there's no way I'm going to be able to get them out. I'd like to find a cheap alternative for some practice. I've read about those trigger reflectors that you can actually hold with a handle. Maybe that would be good for outdoor use. But, again, something cheap and cheerful for a change would be better...

[DigitalGirl]

I agree. I think you should do what makes you happy. There is no rule. Find what works for you and do it. I personally am into natural light, I don't use any props at all, no flash, no lights, no reflectors, nothing. Just camera and me. I am just learning, I am not a professional and am a long way from charging for my work, but I love practicing and I hope it will get me somewhere :)

[bolantej]

yep. white poster board, or foam core board works better. I've used car shades too. Just make sure you don't blind your model with the reflection of the sun. ;)

[Mum2J&M]

yep. white poster board, or foam core board works better. I've used car shades too. Just make sure you don't blind your model with the reflection of the sun. ;)

Well, my 'models' can take it. They're my kids, lol. What's the difference between poster board and foam core? And can you get both pretty cheap and fairly easily? Thanks.

[sevillafox]

you can find both at your local wally world. Foam core is more sturdy and you could prop it up. Poster board is thinner-more like card stock. But, you can also get a gold/silver poster board as well. You can get both the foam core and gold/silver for about $5. And, for my indoor stuff for right now as I'm still salivating over some strobes, I use my 420 ex with a fong light sphere and helped out by some natural light. I also use the same set-up outdoors. Here are some of my son using this set-up http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=412595. Good luck and have fun learning.

[JSimonian]

For a silver type reflector, I've heard of people using cardboard wrapped with aluminum foil. I typically use a "5-in-1" reflector setup which has white, gold, silver, black and translucent.

I'm in the same boat as you. I have 3 Calumet 750w TraveLites with stands and all the goodies, but never can find the time or the space to use them properly! I've actually been thinking about selling all of that and getting a couple of 580EX's with various attachments (stands, umbrellas, etc.) to keep the lighting more portable and less obtrusive.

[Mum2J&M]

Thanks for all the helpful info. guys. I'll have to keep that in mind. And J, I think I have that same reflector kit. I got it from Adorama a couple of years ago. Did yours come in a black pouch? Mine's buried somewhere in our attic at the moment. I'm curious to see how I do with reflectives. Hopefully better than with my lighting gear. I really like my strobes, etc., but they're somewhat useless since we're renting a townhouse and won't have a place to set them up for awhile. Hmmm.

[trialanderror]

Good luck with your photo taking! I know my photos aren't on the caliber of professionals, but I find I can get results I'm happy with by pinning up backdrops on a wall in my recroom and using a combination of natural light from a big window behind me and bounced flash - off the ceiling, a wall, poster board, or whatever. For a white reflector, I love the white foamcore presentation board (like for a science fair project) that I bought for about $10 - it stands on its own and I can also bounce my flash off it to get directional lighting. Just experiment with bouncing your flash differently and practice your photoshop skills.

all the best!

[vpnd]

get a car reflector at Kmart for 5bucks, just make sure its not green or blue, try sunset pics , some of the best shots I have of my kids are at sunset

[canonphotog]

Whether you have the studio with all the backgrounds, lights, softboxes, umbrellas, snoots, barn doors and hair lights you could ever want or just a couple of flashes with or without a reflector, It is all about the light and what you do with it.
I recently bought a kit from B&H that included two light stands, two 32 inch umbrellas (small, but effective) and two combination umbrella/flash unit mounts. Haven't really explored its capabilities in any detail yet, but I did shoot my own passport photos using the kit w/two slave flashes and a master on the camera. I can already see where another small reflector stand and a couple of reversable reflectors would be useful with this kit, as would one more flash for a hairlight.

I have found in the past that turning the Canon flash head up to about 75 degrees and facing backwards works wonders in small rooms. High Vaulted ceilings require different bounce methods such as the better bounce card or other diffusers that behave similiarly.

Try writing down what your set up is each time you change it or make it a point to only try one lighting scenario at a time so can effectively evaluate its effect on your images.

Consider using a handheld incident lightmeter and manual mode on your natural light/reflector images.

And I should probably say.., I don't shoot in a studio.

[picturecrazy]

Outdoor portraits are totally doable!! I use just my 580's, a couple ultralite portable light stands, and a 32" umbrella. I rarely use the umbrella, usually just use bare flash. With the right angle it doesn't look harsh.

This is basically the lives of wedding shooters. Doing portrait sessions outside, no matter what the conditions are.

[NC_Photo]

Me!!!

I work for a "studio". I say that in "" because we do have a physical studio but it hardly gets used...in fact we're the last physical studio in our area. The only thing we do in it anymore is the OCCASIONAL senior (formal), babies, and realtor headshots.

95% of what we do are family beach portraits since we're a vacation area. I do two shoots per day, 5 days per week. One in the AM, one in the PM. We use medium format film Bronica's and flash. No assistant, no reflectors. We shoot in usually the harshest conditions you can. Our average group size is anywhere from 2-15 people and and several per week in the 20-28 people range. When shooing that many people in one session you don't have the luxury of starting your session at the "perfect time of day"...often its so bright out that I'm usually shooting at 500th @ f/8.


Most all the photographers in my area do NOT have a studio. Some have studio equipment that they will bring and set up but not usually. The people in our area want to include the beautiful locations like beach, lighthouse, gardens, etc and not be couped up in a formal studio.

[R_Metzel]

I shoot everything outdoors using reflectors and off camera flashes. Nature is my studio!

[PhotosGuy]

VERY simple "outdoor studio" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=122297) It doesn't get any easier than this.

[bieber]

White posterboard, translucent panel (the type you put over fluorescent lights), stands lights and Pocket Wizards, all outdoors. That's all I use for portraits (well, also a camera, but I'm sure you guessed that part ;))

[scorpio_e]

I shoot a lot of indoor. 430Ex and natual lighting.
Go to http://www.modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=487477 and have a look.