EOS 10D - Shooting Portraits

[dfuccillo]

I will be taking portraits of of people shortly and would like to know any tips on the camera settings that would result in a soft facial tone? I will be using the on camera flash with a home brewed diffusor. Would using any of the sustom fn to be to my benefit?

Thanks

Dave Fuccillo

[jbradc]

Shoot in RAW mode and Adobe RGB colorspace, go ahead and invest in a quality diffuser like a LumuQuest. If you can afford it, go to a 2 or 3 flash setup by gettig the flashes off camera you have much more control over the light.

[robertwgross]

The built-in flash will work, but you'll get better results if you move the light source several inches away from the lens axis. Diffuse the light so that the overall light source is the same size as your subject.

---Bob Gross---

[Jon]

If you want to soften wrinkles, a broad diffuse light source will help, but so will a soft-focus lens or a diffusion filter (http://www.thkphoto.com/products/hoya/sdef-06.html) on the lens, and it may be easier to work with.

[pturton]

Dave,

Since you mention that you are using the 10D but did not say what lens or other light source is available to you, I'll tell you what works for me.

CFn 06 set to 1 - Exposure level increments set to 1/3 stop
CFn 14 set to 0 - Auto-reduction of fill flash

Using window light as the main light source, use the on-camera flash for fill and adjust if necessary by using FEC 0 to -1 stop.

If possible I prefer window light and reflector or flash fill to give a soft ilumination of the subject's face. Pictures of my grandchildren show the effect I like.

Light use of a soft-focus action in PS can also help to give a pleasing skin texture.

BTW, if using mixed light sources, such as tungsten + flash, be sure to do a white balance test frame.

Paul
http://www.iaw.com/~pturton/

[dfuccillo]

Paul,

Thanks, I'm using the Canon 28-105 lens.

Dave

[MackRoe]

Paul....Went to your website and looked over your shots, and they are incredible. I've just recently bought my 10D, and two lens, the 70-200mm L 4.0, and the 100mm 2.8 macro, both of which I love. I have a really strong interest in macro work, and wondered if a lot of your macro shots, which have exceptional clarity & sharpness, are handheld or tripod shots. Plus it appears that you are utilizing some sort of light source on your close-ups, but I do not own any specialized flash units, although I do plan to obtain Canon's 550EX once finances permit. I'm wondering if you might know whether the 10D's circuitry is "as" or even "more sensitive" to a 3rd party flash unit's voltage output as my Canon G3's electronics were ? Many moons ago, I bought a Canon AE1, and a Vivitar Zoom Thyristor flash unit, having a tiltable head and 70ft telephoto range with its light. I'm reluctant to throw her on the 10D and blast away, so I've searched out the Forum for the proper person to ask.

By the way, forgive my laboriously long message here, but I just wanted to say how impressed I was with your photos, your website, but mostly with your moral standpoint and scriptural references. I also am so enamored with a God who's imagination and wisdow has made a universe so incredible, allowing photographer's the way to see images that just boggle the mind. I'll be perusing your previous posts to make use of your photographic expertise, and would love to hear back from you.
Later, Mackroe

[pturton]

MackRoe,

PM sent.

Paul

[scottbergerphoto]

If you like These (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/ayana_bailey) and you are interested in knowing how I did them with a 10D with 24-70 f/2.8 and 2 550EX's and a 420EX, post back.
Scott

[dfuccillo]

Scott,

Awesome portraits. Yes would be very interested on how you shot them with your 10D.

Thanks

[dfuccillo]

Since I'm using my on board flash (saving for the 580EX) I was able to find anything on Lumuquest. All there products appear to be for external flashes. Do you know of a company that would make something to snap onto the on board flash. I'm currently using a pastic container cover.
Thanks

[markubig]

Do you know of a company that would make something to snap onto the on board flash. I'm currently using a pastic container cover.
Thanks

i asked this question a while back, and got some interesting options. you can see it here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=55037&highlight=onboard+flash+diffuser). There are times that I just don't want to carry around an external flash, but still want the effect of a diffused flash.

These guys http://www.flashclip.net/ told me that they are working on a solution for Canon EOS cameras. I've been keeping an eye out.