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DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> Senior pic - which lens to use
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08/23/2014 10:04:04 PM · #1
I have been asked to shoot a senior picture (the more formal yearbook shot) for a young lady who has a pretty sad story. I have a nikon d7100 - so crop sensor. Will my 50mm 1.8 work or should I rent a lens? My only other fast prime is a 35mm 1.4. (I do have a speed light 910 and a white/silver reflector.)

I have virtually no portrait experience, but I will do my best.

Any tips are appreciated.
08/23/2014 10:09:47 PM · #2
Oddly enough... my favorite portrait lens is the 100mm 2.8 macro. It's much better than I am.
08/23/2014 10:28:43 PM · #3
Thanks. I forgot I had the 105. (I am still so new that the macro description meant it got filed in brain under macro only.).
08/23/2014 10:33:17 PM · #4
I love the 50 1.4. I can get closer and feel more in control. But I'm not a pro.
08/23/2014 10:33:24 PM · #5
I think lens quality is probably more important than focal length in this situation, where you can also physically move the camera closer/farther to adjust. I'd say use the one you are most familiar/comfortable with, and pay attention to lighting, background, and subject, which are probably more important than lens choice. Let us know how it goes!
08/23/2014 10:35:48 PM · #6
Make sure that the focus is smack dab ON the eyes... the rest of the face doesn't matter. LOL!
Try to make sure the jaw line is showing... shooting full face isn't as attractive.

I'm not an expert... but I do love doing Senior portraits. They are usually SO excited... and do everything you say. And.. you don't have to say much. :D

Maybe some shots from up above (stand on a stool)? Or some of her lying on the ground... get down there with her...

You've got this!!
08/24/2014 02:06:34 AM · #7
I have always been of the mind that a longer lens the better. My "Go to" portrait lens, either outside or in the studio is always either my 70-200 or my 200MM F2 lens.

08/24/2014 04:14:18 AM · #8
Originally posted by Jules1x:

Thanks. I forgot I had the 105. (I am still so new that the macro description meant it got filed in brain under macro only.).

I use my Tokina macro 100/2.8 a lot for portraits. I stop down a couple of stops.Again mention focus on the eyes. Have used it wide open to blur out the background.
08/24/2014 11:14:05 AM · #9
THANKS all! I will have my pack ready (105mm & 50mm) and a list of angles I should shoot from. I think it will be about 3 weeks till this happens, but I will find this thread a post a few of my results once I am done.

08/24/2014 11:21:37 AM · #10
more important is your lighting. whats your setup going to be?

go with the longest lens. and shoot at f8 or so.
09/22/2014 09:43:46 AM · #11
Shoot is this week.

The more formal shot will be inside my friend's house. (She has vaulted ceilings - not sure about how many windows, but the shoot will be about 3:30 in the afternoon.) We may also do some outside shots.

My tentative setup includes Nikon D7100; Speedlight 910; 50mm 1.4; 105 2.8; and 18-300 mm; I have a 7 foot white/black backdrop. I also have two triangular reflectors, although my process with them tends to be place it in various places and see if anything changes - I am definitely not skilled with them.

A question popped up after some practice with my nieces. In the shot below the background doesn't look great. (The little guys were moving moving moving, and my camera settings were off at the start so I was adjusting and shooting as fast as I could. I assume I will be able to prepare with a bit more care with an adult.)

The question - does the backdrop look bad simply because the subject is too close? Or are my whites off for another reason, maybe I should be spot metering? (I did minimal processing in lightroom.) THANKS!



09/22/2014 09:59:22 AM · #12
keep your subject a few feet away from the backdrop. how are you shooting diffusing the speedlight?
09/22/2014 10:55:17 AM · #13
I have the basic Nikon plastic diffuser. (And I have coming the Gary Fong commercial kit to try).

09/22/2014 11:09:54 AM · #14
get a shoot through umbrella and stand. the diffusers dont work nearly well enough

edit: this

use the umbrella as your main light and use a reflector for fill.

Message edited by author 2014-09-22 11:11:46.
09/22/2014 11:34:06 AM · #15
Done. Thanks.
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