your advice please...outdoor portraits

[NicD]

Hi all,

In the upcoming holidays I'm looking into developing my portfolio to include portrait shots, while I'm comfortable taking these photos there are some things that i wouldn't mind finalizing.

1) Are there any standard shots that should be in a portfolio to show that i am capable of portrait shots. I know that i have to be creative and show and artistic flare but is there really any type of shots that i need to include?

2) When shooting outdoors in a natural setting, what would be the best way to get better Bokeh? I'm looking for the "model" (friend who volunteered) to be against some trees and plants so I'm looking for the smooth background.

3) The shots will be taken during the day, unfortunately this may include some very harsh sun, is there anyway i can counter the harsh sun and use it in my advantage?

4) 18-55 or 70-200? I was planning on using my 18-55 kit lens but the 70-200 produces a lot sharper images with the harder focal range. which would you choose?

I understand this is a long post but i would really appreciated any help and advice. I'm really keen to get these shots off and good so i can continue to develop my portfolio.

Thanks all,

Nic Davel

[tim]

2) Keep them a good distance from the background.
3) Shade, or lighting.
4) 70-200 probably, if you have space.

[S-S]

what he said...
+ wide aperture

[TTk]

As Tim said plus beware of your models squinting with the light, sometimes it's not noticed untill later after the shoot. Good luck..

[mrerico]

If its really sunny outside you can get someone to help you and have them hold one reflector over the models head and one reflector near the bottom of them to get a more softer light

[NicD]

Thanks guys for your replies.

Tim - i think i will be using the 70-200 unless i can get myself a 50 1.8 in the next week or two.

Somethingsimple- after doing a bit more reading i released that wider aperture is needed, thanks.

TTK and azneric3 - i think that the sun shouldn't be a problem, the area i have chosen is under shade from a tree and the sun is mainly behind anyway, although i will keep what you said in mind and see what i can do to counter this before the shoot.

thanks for your comments guys.

[Moppie]

2) When shooting outdoors in a natural setting, what would be the best way to get better Bokeh? I'm looking for the "model" (friend who volunteered) to be against some trees and plants so I'm looking for the smooth background.

3) The shots will be taken during the day, unfortunately this may include some very harsh sun, is there anyway i can counter the harsh sun and use it in my advantage?

4) 18-55 or 70-200? I was planning on using my 18-55 kit lens but the 70-200 produces a lot sharper images with the harder focal range. which would you choose?




2) Bokeh is the texture, or appearance of the out of focus areas in a photo. The only way to get better bokeh is to get a different lens :)

What I think you are referring to is wanting more, or less depth of field.
DOF (or the area in focus) is determined by aperture, lens focal length, and distance to subject and distance to background.
The wider the aperture, and the longer the focal length, and closer the distance to the subject, the smaller the DOF.

3) The sun is sometimes annoying in that it is hard to add modifiers to it.
But, the weather does create a great natural soft box when it is over cast.
Fill flash can also help reduce harsh shadows, but the average speed lite is not powerful enough to be much use in mid day summer sun.
If you can get people to help you, then having them hold reflectors, scrims, etc, can make a difference. But, I get the impression this might be a bit beyond what your planning.

So the best way to get around harsh sun light is to either find some shade to shoot in, find a natural diffuser like a window with mesh curtains, or, and this is the best option, shoot at a different time of day. Either early morning, or later afternoon/evening when the sun is less intense is usually best.

4) Use both. Here is your chance to find out how the differences in both lenses will effect your photographs.
Remember:
Wider aperture = less DOF
Shorter focal length can distort things, especially peoples noses.
The eyes are important, so focus accuracy is also important. Especially if working with a reduced DOF.

[tim]

Don't get a 50 1.8, there's a reason they're cheap.

[NicD]

Don't get a 50 1.8, there's a reason they're cheap.

Is it just the build or is the IQ not good either?

[S-S]

lol oh tim youre so fussy ;)...
mine is great, sure its no 50L but its a nice little lens even so - in fact on WFF people preferred a recent shoot of mine taken with that, over the one the day before on 17-55...

[tim]

Search for threads on it, it's been covered before.

[DerekRob]

4) 18-55 or 70-200? I was planning on using my 18-55 kit lens but the 70-200 produces a lot sharper images with the harder focal range. which would you choose?.

4) I would recommend a tamron 17-50mm "this is a sweet lens"

Also set your picture style to standard and edit the picture style.

[NicD]

4) 18-55 or 70-200? I was planning on using my 18-55 kit lens but the 70-200 produces a lot sharper images with the harder focal range. which would you choose?.

4) I would recommend a tamron 17-50mm "this is a sweet lens"

Also set your picture style to standard and edit the picture style.

Unfortunately i don't really have the money for the lens at the moment, so I'm not really looking into a new lens. i have heard that it is a great lens, i will look into it eventually.

also what do you mean by "Also set your picture style to standard and edit the picture style"

cheers, Nic

[DerekRob]

Unfortunately i don't really have the money for the lens at the moment, so I'm not really looking into a new lens. i have heard that it is a great lens, i will look into it eventually.

also what do you mean by "Also set your picture style to standard and edit the picture style"

cheers, NicWell first tell me what camera you own?

[NicD]

Well first tell me what camera you own?

400D and lenses are in my sig.

[scorpio_e]

Try to shoot in open shade.

[PhotosGuy]

Try to shoot in open shade Angeline outdoors (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=483975)

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