Last time I tried to get a head shot for my sister-in-law for her business, the light was horrible, and I forgot my tripod, and I do not possess speed lights and such, so tonight at a family gathering, I brought the gear again, but the most important thing was the tripod.
Let this be a lesson to many of you who may possess run of the mill cameras like mine (and maybe some good glass -- I used my best glass here): use the tripod if you don't have other gear. I did edit a bit, but the shot was solid to begin with. I took some of the yellow out in white balance, I took the clarity down a smidge, and then I used the radial filter (oh, you poor, LR4 folks--I just realized you don't have this!) on her face to lighten it a bit (along with exposure). BUT the tripod, the tripod, the tripod.
After I finished her shot, I sat everyone else down in the same chair and got shots. It was so fun! And then I got one huge family shot with me in it because I could do the shutter release (no I don't have a remote, but the timer will do!).
And no, I'm not in the portrait business, but this was such a huge relief to produce something for my lovely and talented sister-in-law.
Well, she's beautiful to start with but getting a good result is also an achievement. I can't get people to sit the way I want them or do things with their chin etc.
Oh yes, this is the one. More professional looking without the dog (haha) for her website. This is excellent, and I wish I was half as proficient as you.
This is terrific Daryl! And the tips are great. She looks relaxed and comfortable but so professional -- like I'm sitting across from her in a consulting session. You are making me think LR is the way to go now that Aperture is ending...I'm waiting a bit longer to see if Apple has a new improved, non subscription program that will compete.
