Portrait photgraphy

[stc_bennett]

Has anyone got any site woth tutorials etc on, i have bee upto now just been using the point and click let the camera do everything routine.

No i got my digital SLR i can afford to make the mistakes and learn what does what.

Things i want to know about is the focal length adjustment appature, exposre compensation etc. I know a little but not enough to take decent manual photos

Steve
New Canon Digitla SLR with various lense
Plus Cheapy Canon SLR (35mm) Body
Canon Powershot A70
Minolta Dynax 5i with various lenses

[simpo two]

stc_bennett said:

Things i want to know about is the focal length adjustment appature, exposre compensation etc. I know a little but not enough to take decent manual photos

Doesn't need to be manual - you can still let the camera focus and work out the exposure for you.
Focal length: medium telephoto.
Exposure compensation: shouldn't be required if the subject is occupying the frame. If they are off centre, point the camera directly at them, hold the shutter release halfway to lock exposure+focus settings then reframe and shoot.
Equally important though is lighting. At the least, holding a reflector up to throw some light into the 'dark side' can work wonders.

[stooz]

lighting lighting lighting.

get an external flash from the side, above, back anywhere but the front. that always creates shadow line around subject, and makes it lok like a £2.99 disposable camera.

[Alien]

Pay great attention to the background. And the edges/corners of the frame.

Also use a large aperture to reduce depth of field.

[simpo two]

Cheapest/easiest way to get nice lighting (IMHO) is to take the subject outside. You can use fill-in flash and/or reflector if needed. My Nikon SLR (film)does a very good fill-in, but the Olympus Mju300 (digital compact) just blasts it, so no good at all.

Just watch for the dreaded red-eye when using flash - as Stooz said, get the flashgun away from the camera if you can with sync lead or infra-red. But try natural light first - it's free!

[Alien]

simpo two said:

Cheapest/easiest way to get nice lighting (IMHO) is to take the subject outside.

Window light is maybe even better - just like a big softbox

[simpo two]

Alien said:

Window light is maybe even better - just like a big softbox

Actually yes, you're right.

[stc_bennett]

I can get hold of a Background material and 2 brolly lights when i need em. i give it a go next weekend.

Steve

[simpo two]

stc_bennett said:

I can get hold of a Background material and 2 brolly lights when i need em. i give it a go next weekend. Steve

We look forward to seeing the results. And make sure she's pretty

[Mad Dave]

Something i always do, is put some tissue paper over the lens of the flash - this softens the light.

[xsaravtr]

www.ephotozine.com