Portrait Newbie settings
Discussion
EasyJimbo said:
Hi Guys
I am doing my first portrait shoot on Sat and have never done one before and wondered what base settings (inc lens) I should use as a starting point for the portrait work?
thanks in advance
J
There are infinite ways to do portraits. Before you get the camera out, where are you going to do it (eg outdoors, studio or workplace) and what lighting do you have/intend to use?I am doing my first portrait shoot on Sat and have never done one before and wondered what base settings (inc lens) I should use as a starting point for the portrait work?
thanks in advance
J
See some ideas at www.blokewithacamera.co.uk/parties.htm
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 19th January 19:37
Somewhere between 70-85mm on the longer lens. Open up to about f/3.2-f/3.5 Aperture Priority. Manual focus or AF-S for single focus if on the tripod and focus on the eye and recompose. Matrix metering and iTTL on the Speedlight.
If hand holding you can use single autofocus again and lock focus with the buttons on the 70-200mm.
AWB throughout unless you're competing with external light sources, tungsten or whatever, in which case you'll need the Speedlight filters.
What else do you need to know? Take plenty of shots, but depending which SB, make sure you let it cool down between short bursts.
If hand holding you can use single autofocus again and lock focus with the buttons on the 70-200mm.
AWB throughout unless you're competing with external light sources, tungsten or whatever, in which case you'll need the Speedlight filters.
What else do you need to know? Take plenty of shots, but depending which SB, make sure you let it cool down between short bursts.
beano500 said:
Somewhere between 70-85mm on the longer lens. Open up to about f/3.2-f/3.5 Aperture Priority. Manual focus or AF-S for single focus if on the tripod and focus on the eye and recompose. Matrix metering and iTTL on the Speedlight.
If hand holding you can use single autofocus again and lock focus with the buttons on the 70-200mm.
AWB throughout unless you're competing with external light sources, tungsten or whatever, in which case you'll need the Speedlight filters.
What else do you need to know? Take plenty of shots, but depending which SB, make sure you let it cool down between short bursts.
Bob on! the 70-200 can be a bit close on a DX body so Beano's 70-85mm is right. If you're after anything wider than head and shoulders the 70-200 will be too tight unless you've got the room to stand well back. Wider apertures do make focus critical especially on a long lens and DX exacerbates it. I'd be inclined to go to about f8 at about 3m away. I'd go for a portrait leaning against a tree, fence or wall (latter two shoot 45deg to fence/wall) with fill-in flash at 90 to the 'sun'. The subject will have something to lean against/interact with and provides more interest. I'd quickly grab a womens mag and find some pics you like and try to copy the pose and shooting angle.If hand holding you can use single autofocus again and lock focus with the buttons on the 70-200mm.
AWB throughout unless you're competing with external light sources, tungsten or whatever, in which case you'll need the Speedlight filters.
What else do you need to know? Take plenty of shots, but depending which SB, make sure you let it cool down between short bursts.
As for camera settings go for aperture priority or manual with a minimum of 125s shutter. Use auto ISO if you need to - the D300s is fine up to 800+. Make sure you shoot RAW to allow max editing after. If you shoot JPEG avoid Vivid etc and set Neutral or preferably download the portrait setting from Nikon and use that - its quiet nice. Use Nikon's brilliat CLS and get the flash gun off camera to avoid red-eye and harsh shadows.
I keep thinking of a million more things to add - we could write books on a question like that, but wanted to keep it "simples":
Get in close and diffuse the flashgun or bounce it!
Yes, I was thinking of close shots - and my f/4 or wider is a personal preference where it depends how much depth of field is going to be appropriate....
Get in close and diffuse the flashgun or bounce it!
Yes, I was thinking of close shots - and my f/4 or wider is a personal preference where it depends how much depth of field is going to be appropriate....
You're right shallow DoF makes a nice image. I've noticed professional models strike a pose and helpfully hold motionless for focus and reframing and some get the timing right for the shot perfectly. Then almost snap into another pose. Amateurs though are much more difficult hence the greater DoF suggestion. Another suggestion would to not frame too tightly and crop the photo later for composition (don't crop on a joint - knees, elbows etc). Its too easy to crop elbows etc in the heat of the moment!
Diagonal composition is nicer than square on or straight up/down. Also try movement like dancing or even jumping. What will the subject be?
Diagonal composition is nicer than square on or straight up/down. Also try movement like dancing or even jumping. What will the subject be?
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