Shooting people for the first time, advice?

So I'm planning on applying for university next year and have been told I'll need to be taking lots of 'people shots' to add to my portfolio to stand any shot of getting on to the course.

What sort of advice would you offer to someone who has never really photographed people seriously before. In terms of angles of shooting, lighting, posing etc? Or anything else there is that I don't know about!

Most of the shots will be taken outside as I don't have access to a studio, the gear I do have available to me though:

650D + 6D
40 pancake
10 - 22
24 - 105
70 - 200 f4
430ii Ex flash.

Thanks guys

People shots doesn't really define things very well, as it can mean so many things. If you mean portraiture your best bet is to look at the various threads here for inspiration and techniques. Generally portraiture is about using good light to give a pleasing photo of a person. So lighting becomes more important than any other consideration.

https://photography-on-the.net …ead.php?t=12759​76&page=65

gonzogolf wrote in post #16432900
People shots doesn't really define things very well, as it can mean so many things. If you mean portraiture your best bet is to look at the various threads here for inspiration and techniques. Generally portraiture is about using good light to give a pleasing photo of a person. So lighting becomes more important than any other consideration.

https://photography-on-the.net …ead.php?t=12759​76&page=65

Yeah that's a fair point...so it's gonna be shots of people with an object like a car, or something like that...I'm a bit stuck for ideas to be honest. The main focus point though will be the person(s). It's not necessarily going to be portraiture, but eventually that will be involved.

I'll have a look through that thread though, thanks.

1. Lighting, pose, expression
2. Everything else


The 70-200 f/4L is my go-to portrait lens of choice. Reliable, sharp, perfect focus, long enough that I can stand a little ways away to reduce unwanted perspective distortion. [You can use the wide-angle lenses to mix it up, once you know what you're doing.]

The 430EXII is fine for most shots, unless you're outside in the daytime, competing with the sun. However, get the flash off the camera, or at a minimum learn to bounce it. Direct on-camera flash is not a suitable main light for portraiture. [Break this rule once you know what you're doing]

Study others' photos of people; dissect and analyze them. Figure out specifically what makes them good (or bad!); then figure out how you can replicate it; then figure out how you can use it to make your own style instead of just replicating others' work and style.

dont be sketchy about it, be kind and personable... it goes a long way. if you can get some creative light (ex. window light, reflected light, diffused light) your pictures will begin to stand out.

Also, when everyone seems to looking at one thing, find the few people that aren't... they are the people that are focused and not worried about someone taking there picture and you can get some good emotion and character