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This is a set of my daughter. I am going to attempt a photo shoot of about 18 children in about 24 hours from now. I really need advice. I have mainly been into wildlife photography and I am not that versed with portrait work. I am asking for ANY advice from the ePhotozine family in terms of posing, equipment, logistics, settings, etc.
ISO-500
f/1.8
Exposure Time: 1/200
Speedlight SB-600
Focal Length 50mm
| Title: | I Need Advice |
| Username: | 
PeelNStick |
| Uploaded: | 31 Jan 2009 - 5:39 PM |
| Camera: | Nikon D90  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Lens: | Nikkor 50mm f/1.8  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Tags: | Daughter, Flash / lighting, Photo, Portraits / people |
| Votes: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
 | Variant - Tests |
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Comments
Equally as important as the technical side. if not more, is the ability to engage with the children, make them relaxed, so that you get the best from them
I don't know about portraits. Your daughter is very pretty, has a lovely smile and eyes. Three super portraits.
Ian
V1 and V2 are the better ones.
I would suggest:
1. Shoot in RAW
2. Take a white balance shot first in the same light you will shoot all the others. Just shoot a plain white or neutral grey card, then use this to calibrate, or set your white balance in Camera Raw and apply yo all shots. For example, - the white balance is way different between V1 and V2. Set the camera to auto, - adjust in Camera Raw post processing.
3. Set the aperture to f/5.6, focus on the eye, shoot. Make sure your ISO is set so that your shutter speed is a minimum of 1/100 if you are hand holding.
4. If using the speedlight, set to f/5.6, 1/100, and try a couple of test shots at different ISO until you get a good exposure. f/1.8 is a little too shallow.
5. Getting the kids to relax is key, - chat with them, - try to get then to smile, talk, interact while you look through the viewfinder, and take the shot without telling them, - take them by surprise. Then take a second ad they realize they have been conned! Pose as naturally as possible, - V3 for example is way too "posed" for me.
6. Shoot in portrait mode for the head/shoulder shots.
7. Make sure you have fully charged batteries for the flash, and a spare set.
Ive loaded a mod of V1 to show the importance of getting the white balance right, - you can see its completely different from the original V1, and the background if a different colour. I also find the portrait crop to be more appealing, - but thats personal taste.
Hope this helps,
Willie
I like one and two..
As above with constructive critique.
Also a shighly higher F stop about F11.
This I have been advised works very well to keep shot nice and sharp and have a good depth of feild...
Nice work...
Dave
Lovely portrait. Beautiful little girl. I like 1 and 2 the best.
Lovely portrait of a beautiful child.
Added a mod and forgot to mention that i cropped a bit of the top and tilted it slightly for a more dynamic look.
Also cloned in the white at the bottom.
To photograph 18 children and get them all looking in the same direction takes some doing.
I suggest firing off as many as you can so you can clone over any blinks etc
I suggest using a whistle to get their attention - read Lord Lichfield did that with the Royal Family years ago.
I suggest that when you get their attention, you TELL them to look at the camera or your hand or a puppet or a banana or something which you hold next to the camera lens - children respond to direction (hopefully).
I suggest that you put the camera on a tripod and use a remote to release it. That way you can look at the faces to make sure they are looking in the right direction and will have both hands free to get and maintain their attention.
I suggest that you arrange them in 3 rows of 6 - maybe kneeling sitting and standing. For a more creative photo, you could have them positioned all over something - the organ? the drum set? the pews? poking heads from behind pillars?
Have fun.
John
Quote: Lovely portrait of a beautiful child.
Added a mod and forgot to mention that i cropped a bit of the top and tilted it slightly for a more dynamic look.
Also cloned in the white at the bottom.
To photograph 18 children and get them all looking in the same direction takes some doing.
I suggest firing off as many as you can so you can clone over any blinks etc
I suggest using a whistle to get their attention - read Lord Lichfield did that with the Royal Family years ago.
I suggest that when you get their attention, you TELL them to look at the camera or your hand or a puppet or a banana or something which you hold next to the camera lens - children respond to direction (hopefully).
I suggest that you put the camera on a tripod and use a remote to release it. That way you can look at the faces to make sure they are looking in the right direction and will have both hands free to get and maintain their attention.
I suggest that you arrange them in 3 rows of 6 - maybe kneeling sitting and standing. For a more creative photo, you could have them positioned all over something - the organ? the drum set? the pews? poking heads from behind pillars?
Have fun.
John
Thanks for your comments and mod. Luckily, I was assigned to photograph them individuals. I have done 8 of the children and I expect to do the other 10 or so at a later date.
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