Student Photographer needs technical advice

[Guide Pup Raiser]

Hey there -- This is my first post. I am a student photographer at University of South Florida -- St Petersburg.

Later today I'll get the chance to make photos of juveniles at an area correctional facility. They are puppy-raisers for a guide dog school in this area.. If you've seen Animal Planet's "Cell Dogs" you understand what I'm talking about.

I am assigned to make a photo essay -- and -- one portrait. Since these are juveniles -- I can't photograph their faces.. I can, however, photo the guide dog representative, and maybe a guard -- if they give permission.

I thought I'd try a silhouette shot for the portrait. I could use some technical advice about shooting silhouettes.

I have a brand new Canon Digital Rebel. I own a 50 mm lens, a 70-300mm lens; and a 24mm wide angle lens. I do not own any other equipment. (That was expensive enough for now!)

I am also having issues reaching deep depth of field in bright sunlight -- so far I can only achieve it using my telephoto lens.

If any of you have time to offer advice -- I'd really appreciate it. I still can't believe that I've been given permission to be in a PRISON. I leave to shoot the assignment in 2.5 hours.. I'll stay on this site reading responses till them..

[Jon]

"deep depth of field"? Do you mean a large depth of the photo in focus? That's more common with a wide-angle lens. And in bright sunlight, with a smaller aperture (larger f/ stop) it should be easier. For maximum depth of field you want the smallest aperture. If you want a very shallow area looking sharp, you need as wide an aperture as you can get.

For a silhouette, try getting the subject in deep shade, but with a brightly-lit area behind him/her. Maybe in front of a window.

[Guide Pup Raiser]

I mean shallow depth of field -- with the subject the only thing in focus.

Thanks for the advice.

Gina

[Jon]

I mean shallow depth of field -- with the subject the only thing in focus.

That's one of the things teles do . . .

[commando]

For a narrow depth of field use a wide aperature (2.8 works well for me) and the longest lens you have. The 50mm 1.8 (if that's what you have) should do it fine.

The two things that come to mind (and remember i'm new to this too) are:
- Have less space between you and the subject than between the subject and the background.
- Use the longest lens you have that will work.

Also, play with this

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html