Any pointers for a portrait noob......natural light

Using my 30D, which is noiser than a Harrier jet.......anyone have any particular pointers for portrait shots using only natural light, or possibly just with the built-in flash? I'll be shooting an experienced model with a car.

I've got the equipment in my sig........50 f1.8, kit 18-55, and 100-400L. Should I be shooting anything and everything wide open, and just adjust from there? Never really purposely shot portrait stuff before....just curious as to what everyone says....

If you think the 30D is producing very noisy images, you must be shooting at ISO 3200 and/or underexposing.

If you want to shoot with only sunlight, get yourself some reflectors.

Find a book on available light portraiture. Don't bother with the built-in flash. While you're learning, don't do it in direct sunlight, either.

Whether the lens should be wide-open or not depends on the results you want.

And there's nothing wrong with a 30D.

shoot at sunset or in the shade man. shoot at low apertures with the 50 for portrait like shots, and shoot with hip angles on the kit lense at mid f stops. You should be mean.

Make cheap reflectors. Cardboard and foil lol.

I find that the 50 f1.8 is not sharp at 1.8 so I'd stay at 2.8 or faster, but it really depends on the affect you are going for/background. Use the eyes as the focal point and just experiment...I personally like shooting into the sun but it's hard.

I agree with the above
Forget your onboard flash for a subgect like a model with a car
Find a nice place with lots of light at a golden hour of your choice (morning or late afternoon)
Get one or two white (or silver) reflectors to direct the light (be aware of reflections on the car of your surroundings) the covers for cars that are silver to protect your dashboard from the sun work like a charm for around 10$.
Take a helper with you so you can direct him to hold the reflector
Look at your histogram and your blimkies while trying to expose to the right using low ISO sttings

I had a 30D and it wasn't noisy even in low light church wedding photography. If exposure if good the noise is very low