Portrait suggestions

I'll be taking some shots of my friends' kids and the family. Shots will be outside in the morning and I'll be using my 20D, 18-55 lens, tripod and I have a cheap old flash (still works!) Would it be good to use fill flash?

I'll be taking the kids together and separate and then of the parents with the kids. I know to position people in an arc but was just looking for other tips on getting good, clear shots. I also want to do some non-posed (my preference) shots.

What camera setting(s) would you suggest? I've never experiemented with the portrait setting and don't really want to take a chance on this shoot for my friend now but am wondering how it compares to other modes.

I know I could always shoot on P and just focus on getting good composition but I really want to learn more of the settings on the camera.

Should I use my lens hood?

Any advice will be appreciated.

That is complex question!

1 - outdoor shoots, always use fill flash. ESPECIALLY in direct sunlight, otherwise you are left with HARSH shadows.

2 - How you position the people depends on the situation, how many there are what the terrain/environment is like.

3 - I would definately shoot with a wide open aperature so that you get as shallow a depth of feild as possible. So shoot at AV - and turn your apreature down as low as possible. Let the camera figure out the best exposure time. Check it on the little screen, and then maybe adjust the exposure accordningly.

4 - outside, ALWAYS use your lens hood!

Find a park with some water and trees those make great backdrops for outoor portraits.
Use fill flash as suggested above.


Sonya

you can also use a reflector or white posterboard to reflect back in some light. sometimes having hte sun to the back and using fill flash or a reflector makes for some really nice porraits, other times you want the sun illuminating them. picking the right time of day is just as important as where. at noon the sun is directly overhead, and about the worst lighting there is for those kinds of shots. just before sunset is my personal preference, a nice warm, soft light

make sure to get them all in focus, try a lot of differnt poses, watch cropping into a foot or hand, it should look natural not forgotten if you do.

bring a mirror, brush, baby wipes, towel etc so they can fix themselves up, if the kids are young, bring a stuffed animal or something to get their attention

keep talking to them, make them feel comftorable with you, ask them lots of questions

bring somebody to give you a hand.. My reflectors are fantastic... the same folded numbers they sell at camera stores.. but, on one side is white the other is dolphins bought them at walgreens for five dollars there those things you put in front of your car window to block the sun... i'd suggest you grab one there really wonderful to get rid of shadows you don't want.. I almost always use a flash and the lowest ISO that I can get away with generally 100 to 200.... I usually shoot in AV.. as for apperture it depends on how many folks you want in focus, the length of your lens etc... for family portraits between f5.6 and f8.0 works well for me.. When shooting one subject I generally go about f4.0. I can't tell you if the portrait mode is good or bad.. i've never used it... and P mode seems to overexpose (atleast in my experience)... good luck, and be sure to shot us some photos...

sari