Portraiture - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

09/16/2003 12:40:35 PM · #1

I've been experimenting with taking portraits. Yesterday I kept my camera in my office and whoever came into my office had to pose for a photo before I'd sign anything or give any advice on graduating! Most were quite willing, but most were also in a hurry, so I took only a minute or two for each victim.

My lighting consisted of my overhead flourescents, and I may go for more interesting lighting in the future.

My biggest problem at this point, at least in my eyes, was how to get them to pose. Most were actors, so I gave them a prop and said "Do something with this!" And they did. I was somewhat careful in selecting my props so it could match or bring out their personalities in the shots. You'll also note the faint sepia tone in each. I wanted a 'glow' more than a sepia, but . . .

I'd love your comments/reactions to the photos below, as well as some general tips on posing and more sophisticated lighting.

Monique
Amanda
Jessica
Amanda (a different Amanda)

Thanks!

Message edited by author 2003-09-16 12:41:45.

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

09/16/2003 12:59:08 PM · #2

I love them all!
I'm always on the lookout for tips on portraits, as I'm not so great at them. Props are a great idea, I'll try it!

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/16/2003 01:00:35 PM · #3

For me the first one stands head and shoulders above the other 3. Maybe its because the subject is 'acting' out something that is more real for her ?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

09/16/2003 01:01:50 PM · #4

Originally posted by Gordon:

For me the first one stands head and shoulders above the other 3. Maybe its because the subject is 'acting' out something that is more real for her ?

I certainly think her skin tones came out better. She is one fit gal, and she has a great tan which the lights treated with high respect!

Turbotech

Nikon D70s

09/16/2003 01:03:13 PM · #5

Hey D,

I have a bunch of Questions. First Where are you placing your lights. Those look like Passport pictures. Ack the lighing first off needs to be tweaked. "Check out [url=//www.alienbees.com]null[/url}

Secondly go out and look up Bill Hurters "Portrait Photographers Handbook" By Amherst Media. You will be very happy you did.

It has some stuff on posing and some stuff for outdoor natural light.

That is all I can say right now since I am in a hurry.

John (TurboTech)

Message edited by author 2003-09-16 13:06:26.

Toddh

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

09/16/2003 01:07:46 PM · #6

Nice work David, not sure on the passort pictures comment there by John.... though I do think that 1 and 2 have definite 'hotspots' which could be looked at... I like the last one best of all, it's more natural even if the background is a little blown out.

Cheers,

Todd.

magnetic9999

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

09/16/2003 01:27:18 PM · #7

those are cool, david. like the clean look you got in your office surroundings.

check out this shoot i did on sunday

Lindsay-Marie

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100 VI

09/16/2003 01:49:56 PM · #8

Originally posted by magnetic9999:

Lindsay-Marie

Like columns 07 & columns 04 the most.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM Lens

09/16/2003 01:58:28 PM · #9

I like the 3 with the plain background the best. In the other one, the busy background takes attention away from the subject and reminds me of bad 70's wallpaper (sorry, it just does). The warm tones and light quality remind me of Avedon's "In the American West" portraits.

As for your methodology of getting subjects, I took a similar approach, using a plain wooden school chair as a prop. I had the lights set up, the exposure locked and used a white sweep. (This was back in the days when I had a real studio setup at my disposal) Then I just recruited everyone I could find to come and pose however they wanted with the chair. The results were very interesting. Some people just sat on the chair. One stood on it. One sat behind it on the floor. One guy stood on his head. Since everything was already setup, several exposures took just minutes. Maybe someday I'll get the prints scanned in and show them. Anyway, you might try something like that. Check out Avedon's book too.

I'm referring to the OP's post in case there was some confusion.

Message edited by author 2003-09-16 14:47:46.

glimpses

Sony DSC-F707

09/16/2003 02:05:27 PM · #10

Portraiture is my favourite.
There is so much richness and stor in every individual...

Nice shots, excellent to be an exercise.

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/16/2003 03:06:31 PM · #11

David,
I added comments to a couple of your portraits. Thanks for sharing them and please post more.

Kollin,
Those shots are much closer to what I've been shooting lately but I like your setting. Since I don't have a studio I've been shooting everything out of doors and I've found that between 7:30-10:30 AM or 5:30 and darkness are the best times to shoot. I'd be interested in comments on my shots if anyone has the inclination link.

After discussing portraiture on several forums at photo.net, photographytips.com and with other photographers and models on onemodelplace.com I find that for most people portraiture is broken down into areas like glamour, casual, fashion, sport, runway, print/advertising, artistic, artistic nudes, nudes and erotica. All my shoots so far have tended to be either glamour or casual (depending on the clothes, the setting and the model's demeanor during the shoot). I'm beginning to venture into more artistic shots and differently lighted interior shots in the upcoming weeks.

Kev

mhardy

Minolta DiMAGE 7i

09/16/2003 03:24:27 PM · #12

The pictures look nice. I would recommend using a reflector so your subject can get a little pop.
Primarily I shoot fashion portfolio stuff and weddings. Portraits don't require elaborate lighting, just a little ingenuity to direct the light you have to where it needs to be. Probably not alot of help but for some reason everyone thinks that it is the equipment that makes the photo better. When in fact it is the photographer that makes the photo.
//www.hardy-photo.com

Message edited by author 2003-09-16 15:24:41.

09/16/2003 03:42:08 PM · #13

Mag and Kevin, your shots give me good examples and inspire me to explore further! Thanks!

glimpses

Sony DSC-F707

09/16/2003 04:11:37 PM · #14

Just wondering, would it have been more appropriate to title the thread with:

"Portraiture of young and pretty girls"? :P