Thinking about doing my daughters senior portraits

[DVC Jen]

I know this is quite ambitious for a total beginner - but I am hoping to save some $$. I want to try to take them as soon as possible so if they don't come out as well as I would like - I still have time to suppliment them with some professional shots.

I am planning on taking most of them outside. I want to take her to our local community center - to the arboretum- and even our own back yard around our pool.

My question is - does anyone have any hints or advice that will make these photos come out really good.

Do I need a some kind of light reflector? Is early morning or late afternoon going to be the best lighting or should I go for mid day when the sun is overhead?

I am totally open to any and all suggestions anyone has.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to take photographs outside. A reflector would be useful but not absolutely necessary. Be sure to research some popular Senior poses beforehand.

Have Fun. I'm sure you will do great.

 

[0bli0]

have you seen napoleon dynamite? there is a great scene where Deb (Pedro's date) is taking a photo of Napoleon's uncle Rico:
'Turn your head on a slant. now make a fist and slowly ease it under your chin... now just imagine you're weightless in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by tiny seahorses'

as Miss Kelly says, early morning or late afternoon is best. one thing to remember is to properly fill the frame. i like to use a reflector on one side so the face isn't illuminated evenly. if you're taking a photo near plants, make sure there isn't anything 'sticking out of your daughter's head'. if there is sky in the background - expose for the sky and then use fill flash - otherwise the sky will be white and ugly. if the sun is very bright, try draping a white bedsheet over your subject to diffuse the light falling across the face -if you have something to hang it with, that is. if not, and you are taking photos of your daughter's friends, too, they can hold the sheet over their heads.

 

[DVC Jen]

Question about filling the frame - did I fill the frame enough with these?

if you can not see these photos here is a link to the gallery - the password is Apples (capital A lowercase for the rest of the letters) Link

What could I have done to make these better? I know the hair on the girls was pretty messy - and in their eyes - it was a windy day - but the first day we could go outside in about a week. I took these to put in a Valentines card for their parents.

 

[boBQuincy]

Overcast/cloudy days are good for portraits, the soft even light is very flattering. The light is also somewhat blue, take the photos in RAW so you can correct the color cast later.

A medium length lens gives a good subject/camera distance to make the perspective look right, maybe a 50mm or 85mm on a 1.6 camera. Use the widest aperture available to help blur the background. Speaking of background, look "into" the background to see if any distracting elements are in the frame (trees, poles, traffic lights).

Any large areas of color nearby can add a color cast to the image, especially in the shadows. Stay clear of lots of bright foliage or brightly painted surfaces.

Late afternoon sunlight adds a nice warmth to portraits but position your subjects where they won't be squinting. A reflector helps to reduce shadows.

 

[tinksdad]

Question about filling the frame - did I fill the frame enough with these?

What could I have done to make these better? I know the hair on the girls was pretty messy - and in their eyes - it was a windy day - but the first day we could go outside in about a week. I took these to put in a Valentines card for their parents.

oops!

All I see is

I went to your gallery and found the pictures. Your framing/composition needs to avoid cutting off limbs. The sun is very harsh on the left side of their faces, and a tad overexposed on the forehead and cheeks (use a faster shutter speed) The f/8-f/11 is a good range for sharpness. Having someone (brother?) holding up a white piece of poster board or form-core on to bounce some light on the opposite side as fill would be very nice.
The trees in the background are a bit busy for me as well. (you asked....)

 

[DVC Jen]

Yes I did ask and I do appreciate your input. The lighting was not the best - I totally agree. I took the photos at probably one of the worst times of day (around noon) - but didn't have any other option due to the fact that our class schedule has us busy and the only time I can get them outside to take pics is during our recess time and that happens to be from 11:45 - 12:15.

There weren't any trees behind them - that was a road - firestation and parking lot. I was also very limited to where I could take them to get the photos - it was either where they were with that background - or the background be the school playground.

It is NOT something I would have chosen if I had a decent alternative.

So as far as "cutting off their limbs"? I filled the frame too much? I should have backed off a bit and gotten their arms into the photo as well?

I did shoot in raw and then adjusted the lighting a bit for my own personal taste. I had also forgotten to change my white balance when I was taking the photos. I had it set on flash from another time I had been using it. Total inexperience on my part. So I did change the white balance when I was going through the photos and using the software that came with the camera.

I do realize I still have so much to learn - and that is why I asked for suggestions and advice - so I can improve.

I am not unhappy with those shots. I had 10 minutes to take photos of 12 three yr olds for their valentines cards to their parents. To be honest I am just glad I was able to get them to look at me - not stick their tongues out (yes I have a few pics like that from that day LOL ) and not give me totally goofy/silly smiles.

I am hoping the weather cooperates this weekend and I can take my own daughters out and practice taking photos of them. If I do - I will post them as well. I really do want HONEST opinions and suggestions. Without them - I am not going to get any better.

 

[MICKEY88]

it's best to leave more room all around your subject, to allow for cropping that will be done when printing various size photos..

if you upload a few pics to MPIX, you can see what will be lost when ordering various sizes...when you pic the size it will ask you to select crop area, you can play with that to see what you will get or lose, and cancel the order without cmpleteing it..

 

[tinksdad]

Yes I did ask and I do appreciate your input. The lighting was not the best - I totally agree. I took the photos at probably one of the worst times of day (around noon) - but didn't have any other option due to the fact that our class schedule has us busy and the only time I can get them outside to take pics is during our recess time and that happens to be from 11:45 - 12:15.

There weren't any trees behind them - that was a road - firestation and parking lot. I was also very limited to where I could take them to get the photos - it was either where they were with that background - or the background be the school playground.

It is NOT something I would have chosen if I had a decent alternative.

So as far as "cutting off their limbs"? I filled the frame too much? I should have backed off a bit and gotten their arms into the photo as well?

I did shoot in raw and then adjusted the lighting a bit for my own personal taste. I had also forgotten to change my white balance when I was taking the photos. I had it set on flash from another time I had been using it. Total inexperience on my part. So I did change the white balance when I was going through the photos and using the software that came with the camera.

I do realize I still have so much to learn - and that is why I asked for suggestions and advice - so I can improve.

I am not unhappy with those shots. I had 10 minutes to take photos of 12 three yr olds for their valentines cards to their parents. To be honest I am just glad I was able to get them to look at me - not stick their tongues out (yes I have a few pics like that from that day LOL ) and not give me totally goofy/silly smiles.

I am hoping the weather cooperates this weekend and I can take my own daughters out and practice taking photos of them. If I do - I will post them as well. I really do want HONEST opinions and suggestions. Without them - I am not going to get any better.

I based those comments on three photos in your gallery since the others did not show up. Comments may or may not be appropriate......

You mention not having time. This is one of my biggest problems. Taking time to completely "work" the subject. Trying different angles, different lighting approaches and poses can REALLY be a benefit. Try setting up a time that you can play with all the scenarios and really play with the options.

 

[DVC Jen]

I based those comments on three photos in your gallery since the others did not show up. Comments may or may not be appropriate......

You mention not having time. This is one of my biggest problems. Taking time to completely "work" the subject. Trying different angles, different lighting approaches and poses can REALLY be a benefit. Try setting up a time that you can play with all the scenarios and really play with the options.

Thanks - I will do that. I am really hoping our weather cooperates and I can take my daughters out this weekend and practice on them before I take just my oldest out and try (keyword TRY ) to get some decent shots of her.

I am hoping by doing at least one - hopefully more dry runs I will see and learn what works and what doesn't work.

My oldest DD - the one that is graduating HATES with a passion to have your picture taken. She is extremely shy and self concious so I thought that just maybe she would be more comfortable with me trying to take them - and it could save us some $ *if* it works out ok. If not - she is just going to have to bite the bullet and deal with a stranger doing it.

 

[DVC Jen]

I added a link to the gallery if the photos are not showing up for you here. I also added the password on post #4.

 

[fairestoneofall]

Jen, you've gotten a lot of great advice.

What lenses do you have?

I would not shoot at a completely wide-open aperture, but you probably want to stay around 3-5.6 in order to have the background blurred.

Are you familiar with the rule of thirds? If so, I won't explain it. If not, I'd be happy to explain (or, I'm sure someone else can too). It isn't a "rule" that is never broken, but a great guideline to follow.

I agree with the person who suggested white foam board as a reflector. It works and is a much cheaper option than buying a reflector.

If you have harsh sunlight, you want to look for some open shade. You want to avoid sunspots on the face. And you want to try to avoid busy backgrounds. You want the focus to be on your DD, not on the scenery.

Overall, just have fun--it will show in your pictures!

 

[tinksdad]

Thanks - I will do that. I am really hoping our weather cooperates and I can take my daughters out this weekend and practice on them before I take just my oldest out and try (keyword TRY ) to get some decent shots of her.

I am hoping by doing at least one - hopefully more dry runs I will see and learn what works and what doesn't work.

My oldest DD - the one that is graduating HATES with a passion to have your picture taken. She is extremely shy and self concious so I thought that just maybe she would be more comfortable with me trying to take them - and it could save us some $ *if* it works out ok. If not - she is just going to have to bite the bullet and deal with a stranger doing it.

You might want to get her a "make over" and THEN take the pictures. Teenagers can be fun, huh??

 

[ukcatfan]

Do not forget about the subject in all of this. If you are heading out away from your house, try to be prepared for wardrobe changes and carry a mobile makeup kit. Sometimes props are also nice in senior pictures. Does she have something that she is really proud of or that expresses her personality. Something like her car, a bike, a pet, sports equipment, etc.

There is no harm in visiting a nearby studio to check their samples. As you said, you might end up using something like that anyway. Two birds with one stone.

Kevin

 

[handicap18]

Good start with the kids in the class Jen. I like the first one, Audrey I believe, she definately gave you a great pose. As others have stated take the picture wider, not quite full body (though some can be full body shots), this gives much more room to crop down to different sizes, 8x10, 4x6, 5x7 and wallet sizes are all different ratio's and will crop differently, so you better off with a bigger area to crop down.

When I do portraits of the kids I use my speedlight flash with a diffuser and I will also use the 50mm f/1.8 lens with just natural light. I like the natural light about 2 hours or so before sunset

Take as many photos as you can in as many different area's in all different poses. Try it over several days as well. Try in the morning and in the late afternoon. Try some indoors and outside. If you have an area in the house with a lot of natural light that would be good for the 50mm f/1.8 if you have one.

When using a wide aperture make sure you focus on the eyes. You may have to focus on the eyes then hit the focus lock button and recompose, but always make sure the eyes are in focus.

 

[DVC Jen]

Thanks everyone.

handicap18 - I found it funny that you mentioned Audrey - she is the most girly girl in the class and I could have spent an hour with her and SHE wouldn't have grown bored. LOL

The photos on the gallery ARE cropped from the original ones. I had intended to use those like I said - in a card they kiddos made for their parents. I had cropped them down so much because I was only going to use the face with a dye-cut heart frame around it.

I will make sure that when I do the photos of my daughters I will leave plenty of "crop" room around them.

As far as lenses - I have the kit lens that came with my XTi the canon 18 - 55 mm. I also bought a Quantaray 70 - 300 mm f/4 - 5.6 the same day I got the camera. Since then my DH gave me the Sigma 28 - 70 mm f/2.8 - 4 for Christmas and I have also purchased the Canon 50mm f/1.8 and the Canon 28-135mm IS f/3.5 - 5.6 lens.

I think I will probabaly use the 50 mm lens the most and also take a long a tripod.

I was hoping to not have anyone go but myself and my oldest DD but it sounds like maybe I should get some kind of filter and I will need someone to hold it? Does anyone have suggestions on an inexpensive filter I can buy or make?

I was also thinking about trying a few shots in my DDs bedroom. I redecorated it this fall and sponged her walls. They have a very interesting texture to them now and the color should be very complimentary to her skin tone. I am just going to have to make sure the textured walls don't fight for attention with my subject.

I do understand the rule of thirds when it comes to things like landscapes - however when you are doing a close-up portrait and don't want alot of other background stuff in it - how does the rule of thirds apply?

I do also realize about the "tic tac toe" grid when it comes to focal points and to focus on the eyes - that is what I tried to do with the shots of my students - and again - 3 and 4 yr olds don't always do what you want them to do.

I checked the forecast for Sunday and we are supposed to have a high of 60 and mostly sunny. Hopefully that doesn't change. Like I said before - I will post some of the shots when I take them - and please don't anyone be afraid to "tell me like it is".

 

[fairestoneofall]

Jen, when I am doing portraits, to follow the rule of thirds, I try to have the eyes as close as possible to the top third line. I also like to not always have my subject exactly centered, so maybe one eye on one of the cross-sections of the lines meeting.

When you are taking further-away shots, try to have the face on the third line intersection, or the body along the third. Just try to have your composition put the face or eyes on a third.

Here's one of my DD (just taken in my yard), where her eyes follow the rule of thirds. Her left eye is as close as possible to the crossline of the third lines (as close as can be without changing my composition). Pardon her chopped finger.

 

[Lachesis00]

I found this over on the canon boards which may or may not help:

 

[0bli0]

there are several ways of filling the frame - i suppose i should have been more specific. i was referring to many people's tendenancy to leave too much 'vacuum' space above and the the sides of the subject. you can definitely use the rule of thirds or even further. when photographing guys for senior portraits, it's ok to cut arms at the shoulders in a 'traditional senior portrait - especially when in a jacket and tie. but you can work hands in with some poses

with girls, usually hands are placed in the frame. sometimes they are near their face, sometimes they are in front laying on a branch or table or under their chin. you can also put the hands on a branch or wall.

you might try googling some photographers who do senior portraits and get some ideas.

 

[Lachesis00]

Jen I found this too over on the boards (I am researching the Sunny f/16 rule). This is about compositioning a photo.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=269661&highlight=Sunny+16