Hi - I've been into photography for years, but have typically focused on inanimate objects. I want to venture into portrait photography, but need some tips on lighting, etc. Also, I have three kids to use as guinea pigs, but I get lots of that "fake smile" thing .. how do I combat that? ANY tips, tricks, and things you've learned from experience would be most greatly appreciated!!! TIA!
I do like your latest post...and I can only really share what I do with my kids when they are posed like yours in this photo....
I just sneak up on them and say, "Hey!"....a little girl's reaction is to immediately look toward you and tuck her hair behind her ear - voila! Face shot! The fake smile thing isn't just with kids - lots of people do it because it's a natural reaction to seeing a camera (unless their natural reaction is to run away!) When I take photos of my kids, I just follw them around and take a LOT of frames - I love photojournalistic style portraits, where you're actually capturing a moment. You'll be amazed - the more you take photos of them, the less they will notice, and the better the photos will be. :)
sorry - as for lighting....what do you currently use? i see you have the same camera that I use :) your ISO is awfully high, which is probably why your shutter speed is pretty slow. Do you have a speedlight or other flash that you put on top of your camera?
@sdpace Stacy, thanks for pointing out the ISO. I hadn't even noticed that! I purposefully shut off my flash and was going for only her face being lit. Probably trying for too much on my first attempt. I shoot on aperture most of the time, and forgot to even check the ISO. Duh!!!! I do have a speedlight, but no other lighting at this time. You'll laugh, but today I was using a small table lamp sitting on the floor - LOL!
I did get a face shot, but I liked this hidden face shot better. The lighting and color just turned out better to my eye. She starts to get this attitude and tries to "pose" for me - ugh! Nothing worse than a 7-year old who acts like Beyonce!!!!
I find I can ask people to smile, and it will look natural so long as they are relaxed. The trick is getting them to relax! It doesn't matter how well you know them (or don't know them) - cameras make people tense up. Talking will usually do the trick. I converse with clients, while keeping the camera up near my face, and so the photographing itself is just a small distraction during the course of conversation. I still direct them, but it is just a footnote, so to speak.
With younger children, it is usually easier to just make them laugh. "Dad jokes" are often great, or just being silly. With boys, yelling "poop!" or anything yuck will usually get them laughing. Not so much with girls - they tend to give disgusted faces with those words - instead, just say things that don't make sense - "Where did I put my camel? Oh, there it is!" when reaching for your hat, for example. They'll find it funny and often correct your silliness.
Insofar as lighting... that is a complex subject. I suggest checking out some YouTube videos. Natural light, and making sure the light is getting to your subjects' eyes, is a good start. Don't be afraid of harsh light (direct sun), but it is often best to avoid until you are more confortable with lighting.
@jinximages Thanks for the tips! I like your suggestions for children, and you don't know my daughter... "poop" would work just as well with her! I've looked at a few YouTube videos, and there are so many differing ideas/opinions that my was spinning this morning! The idea of shooting outside is more appealing as I can get my kiddos away from objects and thus get a better DOF, but I've found the lighting is a bit trickier. I imagine you'll see many attempts at my kids through this project this year. Thanks again!
Can I suggest that you follow me and ask questions against my photos?
I also just posted this on someone else's photo as they were asking for assistance and it may be helpful here as well.
If you put in the beginning of your comments/description that you want a critique I will be able to see it when I quickly zoom through and I will stop and comment with the idea of giving you some advice. :)
Maybe something like "Critique Please!" as that may stand out.
It will also help in your description if you can put your intent of what you were trying to achieve with your photo. This will do two things 1) make you think about the photo which will translate into your mind so that when you are taking the photo are are thinking about this 2) I will know what you were thinking so I can take that into consideration when making comments.
I don't do a lot of portrait work...yet. But when I photograph my 10 year old Granddaughter, I have her look away from the camera while I set the shot, I count to 3 and then have her turn toward me. Her smile is more natural than if she sits there trying to smile while I'm fiddling around with the camera.
Some of my best 'portraits' are unplanned, like this one I took. I called her name and she looked up at me quickly. I had the camera focused and ready to go. I like the spontaneity of photos like this. I also love outside natural lighting much better than lighting inside. Just my .02 cents. =)
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I just sneak up on them and say, "Hey!"....a little girl's reaction is to immediately look toward you and tuck her hair behind her ear - voila! Face shot! The fake smile thing isn't just with kids - lots of people do it because it's a natural reaction to seeing a camera (unless their natural reaction is to run away!) When I take photos of my kids, I just follw them around and take a LOT of frames - I love photojournalistic style portraits, where you're actually capturing a moment. You'll be amazed - the more you take photos of them, the less they will notice, and the better the photos will be. :)
I did get a face shot, but I liked this hidden face shot better. The lighting and color just turned out better to my eye. She starts to get this attitude and tries to "pose" for me - ugh! Nothing worse than a 7-year old who acts like Beyonce!!!!
With younger children, it is usually easier to just make them laugh. "Dad jokes" are often great, or just being silly. With boys, yelling "poop!" or anything yuck will usually get them laughing. Not so much with girls - they tend to give disgusted faces with those words - instead, just say things that don't make sense - "Where did I put my camel? Oh, there it is!" when reaching for your hat, for example. They'll find it funny and often correct your silliness.
Insofar as lighting... that is a complex subject. I suggest checking out some YouTube videos. Natural light, and making sure the light is getting to your subjects' eyes, is a good start. Don't be afraid of harsh light (direct sun), but it is often best to avoid until you are more confortable with lighting.
I also just posted this on someone else's photo as they were asking for assistance and it may be helpful here as well.
If you put in the beginning of your comments/description that you want a critique I will be able to see it when I quickly zoom through and I will stop and comment with the idea of giving you some advice. :)
Maybe something like "Critique Please!" as that may stand out.
It will also help in your description if you can put your intent of what you were trying to achieve with your photo. This will do two things 1) make you think about the photo which will translate into your mind so that when you are taking the photo are are thinking about this 2) I will know what you were thinking so I can take that into consideration when making comments.