Anyone have tips for taking portraits?

[Daisy57b]

I'm attempting to do some today - indoors during the day. Any tips? Should I use flash? What setting should I use? And tips?

Thanks!!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

1. Try to use available light
2. if you use flash, bounce it so there's no hot-spot on the face
3. you don't need to take the entire head (see samples)

 

[manning]

Remember when you bounce the flash it is going to reflect the color of the ceiling.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

unless you use Gary Fong diffuser

 

[geetey]

I doubt this will even go through... but...

I have been playing with my 50mm f1.8 lens today with just indoor light, camera in P mode, but the results have some blur. I am 'guessing' that I need to pump up the ISO higher than 400. Does that sound correct? Or should I take the XT out of P mode and use the Tv mode, and push the shutter speed up?

I am going to take some newborn pictures tomorrow for a friend and wanted to use my new lens!

 

[Anewman]

What shutter speeds are you getting?

Maybe try shutter priority with an extra stop from what P is giving you.

Also work on breath and bracing when it comes to hand holding the camera.

 

[geetey]

I checked the shutter speeds and they are ranging 1/160 to 1/250, so I guess I need to put this down to a user error.

Here is an example

 

[geetey]

This one had a little slower shutter at 1/80 but I would think that *I* could hold it steady enough for that speed. This lens is so light - that could be part of my problem too. I need to really focus on bracing!

 

[Anewman]

Not really user error...

Look at the doggies nose, looks in focus to me but the eyes not so much.

Does not look like camera shake to me, just shallow DOF. That is what happens when you get down to F:1.8.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

also the 2nd picture, the teeth are in focus, but not the eyes.

Try focusing on the eyes.

 

[geetey]

Thanks, Kelly. That was just a quick snap. My dd wasn't feeling very cooperative.

The couple tomorrow is looking for some shots of toes, fingers, tiny hands w/mom's hand, naked bottoms... that kind of stuff. I have done the newborn photos for all of my nephews. They want some of the same.

Am I standing too close? I didn't realize was possible to get my dd's teeth in focus and not her eyes. Or is it just that we tend to notice when eyes aren't in focus?

 

[Anewman]

Am I standing too close? I didn't realize was possible to get my dd's teeth in focus and not her eyes. Or is it just that we tend to notice when eyes aren't in focus?

The larger the the aperture(as in F1.8 with this lens) the shallower the depth of focus, distance to the subject also affects DOF. I actually like working with shallow DOF, it could make for interesting pictures if used properly.

Yes you can move farther back to increase DOF but that would alter the compisition of your photo. It is all a compramise. Shooting in lower light equals larger apertures and slower shutter speeds, focus points and keeping camera still become very important.

 

[geetey]

Thank you for your reply! It looks like rain here tomorrow, so it will definitely be a low light situation. I will bring my other lens with me, in case the 50mm won't give me good full body shots tomorrow. I think it will perfect for those baby feet shots, since I really only want the feet to be in focus.

I only have the built-in flash if I need fill in flash.

There is no pressure when I do this for family! I can always just come back again! Who knew this would worry me so much?!?

 

[Quinn222]

Remember when you bounce the flash it is going to reflect the color of the ceiling.

It's better to bounce from the side, not the ceiling. A white or light wall or even a white piece of paper off to the side will give you better results.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

It's better to bounce from the side, not the ceiling. A white or light wall or even a white piece of paper off to the side will give you better results.

bouncing to the side will cast unwanted shadow on the reverse side of the subject. It will not give better result.

The simplest solution is spend $50 and get the Gary Fong diffuser. I don't even use my CB camera bracket anymore.

 

[Marinerbaby]

Even for indoor shooting I love using natural light. For portrait shots especially children close is good. Closer can be even better. Sometimes the less background the better. I tried to post a few sample shots but I do not have enough posts to do so.

 

[Marinerbaby]

I guess I do now.

Disney...

Into The Eye's of a Child....

Window Light...

 

[manning]

I couldn't have done better!!!!!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Gorgeous

 

[Quinn222]

bouncing to the side will cast unwanted shadow on the reverse side of the subject. It will not give better result.

No, it will give me a wanted shadow on the side of the face and give more depth and interest to the portrait and a better result. For me.