Portraiture Exercise

So I joined the local camera club. I have signed up for the year in the hope of learning some more, and getting some critique.

Last night, we had a practical session on portrait photography. I have decided this isn't for me. There was a lot of highly technical lighting which I had no idea how or why it was set up as it was and then we took it in turns to borrow an activator and take some shots. That ruled my camera out - which has no flash housing but I was kindly leant a Canon EOS 70D with a 15-85mm lens. Spent most of the evening trying to remember how to use the few settings required.

Since we were told to use f8 ISO200 and 1/200 shutter speed for the most part, apart from a bit of nervous conversation with the models to try and counteract the slightly voyeuristic feel of the evening, there wasn't much to do other than press the shutter.


Oh well. the exciting outcome is that my kind friend (whom I know because he is our decorator) has let me keep his spare camera for the week. I wonder if I will be able to remember how to use it.

[Kahsia]

Portraiture is not my bag either, but getting out with like minded people is always fun.

[FBailey]

Good for you! I joined a camera club years ago for a short while before I knew how to use my camera but they all seemed terribly competitive and keen on Photoshop. Been thinking about joining again for ages. I really don't like photographing people, landscapes are much easier:)

[Babs]

I am not good on portraiture, but you have nailed it with these shots. Love the low key images

[Ivan]

Good ones, HJ! fav

[carol white]

Nicely captured portraits, not my forte either

[Kathy A]

These shots are pretty good for someone who isn't really into portraiture.

[Marloes]

Haha! Great experience! The portraits are not bad either! How nice that you’ve joined a club. I did too, a year ago. You can learn a lot. I have to learn also to stick to my own ‘style’... That can be quite a challenge when you are called Marloes ;)

[Helen Jane]

@stimuloog I think you stick to your style very well - and all the better for it.

[Helen Jane]

@kjarn thank you. As I said, all I was left with doing was taking the shot - as instructed - It felt a bit like the equivalent of paint by numbers.

[Helen Jane]

@fbailey Yes I agree with you. I already learned a couple of things from the speakers, and it will be good to have someone to talk to in real life with the same interest!

[Call me Joe]

👌👌👌💟

[Naomi]

You got some great shots out of it! I don't mind doing portrait stuff as a bit of fun out and about with friends/brothers, but I'm like you in not being such a fan of the studio stuff

[Taffy]

The results are quite strong. I agree though re the 'fun' of portraiture (or lack of fun).

[Helen]

I'm sure you will understand the camera very soon.
I'm not keen doing portraits.... whatever the camera !
Perhaps you feel it restricts your creative point of view ??

[belinda]

Great effort especially with an unfamiliar camera.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

Portraits are not my preference either! But sometimes it's good to shoot outside your comfort zone. I'm really thankful that the club I belong to makes an effort to cover all kinds of photography with balance. If we're heavy handed on any style it's probably landscape- but we live in an area where that's what is available to shoot so it makes sense... I think you did a really good job here- especially on the center and right side shots. And in the case of learning the camera- a lot of companies but the manual on line in case there's something you're not sure about. Good job!

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

well done on the portraits and joining your Camera club - (I'm still thinking about it).

[summerfield]

helen! these are excellent portraits! put my skills like the distant cousin in the other side of the tracks! i suppose the light was set up by someone else? that is the hardest thing and it's the main important thing. and one that i could never work out no matter that i have the light box and so forth. here you've managed the catch light rather well, and the shadows give the images a "live" look. i'm rather jealous! aces!

[Clare Gadsby]

missed this before ... good for you for joining ... i went along to ours with a friend several years ago and we just didn't think it was for us ... though i often wonder about returning ... i would enjoy having some people who are actually prepared to be portrait subjects! my fav is the image of the young man. really great lighting and a natural expression. i would love to get better at portraits but i tend to like more candid images where the person is less aware or preferably unaware that i'm taking their pic ... downside being that a lot have to be deleted!

[Karen Smale]

I feel exactly the same way about portraiture. Definitely not my thing. When people ask me what kind of photos I like to take, my somewhat flippant answer is "anything but people". But it's always good to expand your skills, so good for you for trying it out!