Lighting for portraiture

[Duncan Frenz]

I am more of an outdoor shooter and have limited experience shooting people other than snapshots of family and friends. My ex-wife is late in her final (dear God please) pregnancy and I asked her if she would like me to shoot some pictures as this would be the last time for her to capture the moment.

We have three children together, and she has one by her boyfriend with another on the way. I was thinking of getting some group pictures of the kids with her as well. I just recently moved to the Canon system and have no flashes or indoor lighting yet. I will be using a 50D, 28-135 IS, and nifty fifty.

I am going to have to make do with standard indoor lighting with whatever natural light I can get also. Luckily, I live in a house with a prow which accommodates 10 LARGE east facing windows, 30 foot ceiling with recessed adjustable lighting. There is also 14 ft. french doors with full windows on the south side. I have several halogen torch type lamps and some shop type halogen lamps that I can use. I know this isn't the ideal gear, but it is what I have to use.

Make no mistake, I know I am not going to reproduce studio grade pictures but I know I can get a semblance of a decent exposure as I have taken self and family portraits with less and have been okay with the results. I am just asking for advice based on what I have at my disposal, to make the best pictures I can.

I will be building a small studio in my basement soon, because for the price of three picture packages from the school for my kids can easily be spent on needed gear. And dare I say, better pictures. However, she will be having the baby soon and I will not have the gear in time.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[Duncan Frenz]

Bah! Could a mod move this to the general section? It may be more pertinent.

[EOS_JD]

Use window light! That is what a studio tries to replicate in many instances. Soften the light with a net curtain maybe use a reflector and you are good to go.

[Duncan Frenz]

Use window light! That is what a studio tries to replicate in many instances. Soften the light with a net curtain maybe use a reflector and you are good to go.

I definitely intend to, otherwise I'd just go to the (finished)basement. I prefer natural light anyway, but I wanted to nail these shots and be prepared as they will be the last time I have to capture the moment. I don't want to regret not having tried my best. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Helen Bartlett]

Hi Duncan,

I am sure you will be fine with window light. If it helps, take a look at my webiste www.helenbartlett.co.uk Everything on there is shot with available light and it is amazing what you can get with a fast 50mm when there is very little light. The blog is probably the best section to look at - lots and lots of images there.

I often shoot groups indoors with only window light. Take care to keep everyone on the same plane if you want them all to be in sharp focus, also have some fun with differential focus with the groups, that looks great and will work very well with the kit you have.

Have fun

Helen

[sie]

Hi Duncan,

I am sure you will be fine with window light. If it helps, take a look at my webiste www.helenbartlett.co.uk (http://www.helenbartlett.co.uk) Everything on there is shot with available light and it is amazing what you can get with a fast 50mm when there is very little light. The blog is probably the best section to look at - lots and lots of images there.

I often shoot groups indoors with only window light. Take care to keep everyone on the same plane if you want them all to be in sharp focus, also have some fun with differential focus with the groups, that looks great and will work very well with the kit you have.

Have fun

Helen

I agree --- nothing more natural than big window light!

[BTW, love your pictures Helen] ...

[Helen Bartlett]

Thanks Sie, that's really kind of you.

[freebird]

Natural light will be perfect for what your doing. I love window light.

[lukeap69]

check this out

http://super.nova.org/DPR/Window/

i think these are simple guides on using the window and reflector (with illustrations)