Photographing a person, with natural lighting, for the first time

[fiveohmike]

Hey Guys,

Any advice for photographing a girl, in gothic type clothing, in the forest area with just natural lighting?

I am used to doing sports and cars, but a friend of mine is willing to pose as a model and help me learn the art of taking pics of people.

The equipment is in the Sig.

As for the weather forcast, should be sunny.

Ill be attempting to use spot focusing, right on the eyes to get them as crisp as possible, and will probably be mainly using the 17-55.

Let me know what you think.

[fiveohmike]

Whoops forgot to mention the Camera is now a 7D.

I need to update my sig.

Mike

[toxic]

Be fully in the shade or fully in the sun. Spots of light coming through leaves and random shadows can be distracting.

I shoot within 3-4 hours of sunrise/sunset, preferably 2-3.

Reflectors are helpful if you have any. You can use it for fill or a subtle hairlight.

[fiveohmike]

Be fully in the shade or fully in the sun. Spots of light coming through leaves and random shadows can be distracting.

I shoot within 3-4 hours of sunrise/sunset, preferably 2-3.

Reflectors are helpful if you have any. You can use it for fill or a subtle hairlight.

Ya I do not have an reflectors handy, was gonna try and borrow some. Although its a bit of a trek to the spot we are going. i will try and find a spot that minimizes the random shadows, and will fill with the speedlight. Just hope thats not too harsh.

[pprice]

Na, if you are in the sun, use it as a backlight (that is what I find to be the easiest), then you can expose for the face and tweek it from there. If you do this, try not to have any sky in the BG as it will be blownout.

[RDKirk]

I would expect that for a Goth look, you will be fully in the shade, not in the sun. Reflectors are less useful in full shade. However, if you are in open shade, you would want to use subtractive techniques--blocking overhead light--to prevent "racoon eyes" (although maybe you want racoon eyes).

[fiveohmike]

I would expect that for a Goth look, you will be fully in the shade, not in the sun. Reflectors are less useful in full shade. However, if you are in open shade, you would want to use subtractive techniques--blocking overhead light--to prevent "racoon eyes" (although maybe you want racoon eyes).

Will using the speed light for fill, fix the racoon eyes?

[RDKirk]

Will using the speed light for fill, fix the racoon eyes?

Yes, but use it gently.

[fiveohmike]

Well I did the shoot and the pics came out much better then expected. I shot 270 pics, and had around 100 usable, with about 20 being very good shots.

I didnt have to do much editing, other then the crop here and there, and some white balance adjustment.

Overall im pretty happy, and the best part is the person who I was shooting for absolutely wont shut up about them ;)