Portrait Shots (show us your best)
- Thread starter XJBANKER
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Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
Steve, good start to the thread. I'll try and list a few pointers to help you make sure you have photos to last a lifetime with these little ones of yours
I've found that when photographing kids, try your hardest to fill the entire frame if it's going to be a head shot.
I usually try and focus on their eyes, lock my focus in by holding the shutter button half way down and move the camera frame so they're not 100% centered, then take the photo. It just makes the photo look better for some reason.
With Portraits, the rule of thirds really works well but again, rules are made to be broken so dont be afriad to think out of the box sometimes.
I hate using flash so I always try and get my portraits on overcast days, or make sure I sit the kids in the shade of a tree or something that has good, even light, but nothing direct.
Shallow depth of field (Low f/stop like a f/2.8 or f/3.5) will really make the subject jump out of the frame, but not so shallow that once you get past the bridge of their nose the eyes go out of focus. This is something you'll just have to play with and shoot a few shots to get it right (Thank God for the LCD on the back of the camera)
When shooting kids, which for you Steve is probably going to be the main subject of your photography for the next 18 years, there is no bad time to be shooting.
Take photos when they're crying, when they're laughing and everything in between. These are the candid photos that will last generations. Everyone has the posed shots, but the ones that we all remember are the candid ones that really show the scene.
I was shooting a graduation at a Pre-School where the kids were getting ready to move up to kindergarden and this little girl just sat at her desk crying because she didnt want to leave. The parents ended up buying a large print of it and the pre-school bought one to hang on their wall. Everyone else was watching the kids that were graduating, but this was the best shot of the day in my eyes
Again, just keep your eye out for the shots that arent posed. While at the EXPO in Arizona, everyone was watching Roseanne give her introduction speech while I sat watching this little guy play with Dave's dog from Aluminess Products. I love the shot because they look like they're old friends even though they just met seconds before this shot was snapped
These are all just random shots, but we can post specific shots and talk about the lighting conditions used to achieve the shot too as the thread grows in content.
I've found that when photographing kids, try your hardest to fill the entire frame if it's going to be a head shot.
I usually try and focus on their eyes, lock my focus in by holding the shutter button half way down and move the camera frame so they're not 100% centered, then take the photo. It just makes the photo look better for some reason.
With Portraits, the rule of thirds really works well but again, rules are made to be broken so dont be afriad to think out of the box sometimes.
I hate using flash so I always try and get my portraits on overcast days, or make sure I sit the kids in the shade of a tree or something that has good, even light, but nothing direct.
Shallow depth of field (Low f/stop like a f/2.8 or f/3.5) will really make the subject jump out of the frame, but not so shallow that once you get past the bridge of their nose the eyes go out of focus. This is something you'll just have to play with and shoot a few shots to get it right (Thank God for the LCD on the back of the camera)
When shooting kids, which for you Steve is probably going to be the main subject of your photography for the next 18 years, there is no bad time to be shooting.
Take photos when they're crying, when they're laughing and everything in between. These are the candid photos that will last generations. Everyone has the posed shots, but the ones that we all remember are the candid ones that really show the scene.
I was shooting a graduation at a Pre-School where the kids were getting ready to move up to kindergarden and this little girl just sat at her desk crying because she didnt want to leave. The parents ended up buying a large print of it and the pre-school bought one to hang on their wall. Everyone else was watching the kids that were graduating, but this was the best shot of the day in my eyes
Again, just keep your eye out for the shots that arent posed. While at the EXPO in Arizona, everyone was watching Roseanne give her introduction speech while I sat watching this little guy play with Dave's dog from Aluminess Products. I love the shot because they look like they're old friends even though they just met seconds before this shot was snapped
These are all just random shots, but we can post specific shots and talk about the lighting conditions used to achieve the shot too as the thread grows in content.
taco2go
Explorer
Great information Pat, I'll be taking notes.....
I've seen some awesome portraits on the forum from people's travels as well, hopefully we'll get to see some shared in this thread
I have a ton of candid pictures of my own kids, just capturing moments, but I've always shied away from showing family pictures on the forum,
Hoping I can share a few.
I've seen some awesome portraits on the forum from people's travels as well, hopefully we'll get to see some shared in this thread
I have a ton of candid pictures of my own kids, just capturing moments, but I've always shied away from showing family pictures on the forum,
Hoping I can share a few.
Hill Bill E.
Oath Keeper
I'm by no means a photographer:Wow1: But once and awhile I get one I like
This is one of my favorites of my youngest, JP.
I see what Every Mile means about the sun, shooting on a slightly overcast day is something to tuck away in my tiny brain!
This is one of my favorites of my youngest, JP.
I see what Every Mile means about the sun, shooting on a slightly overcast day is something to tuck away in my tiny brain!
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
X2
Capturing the moment is the most powerful element there is, and best of all is it can be anything from a look to a bombastic outbust of energy, just don't forget that as a photographer you're trying to tell a story. Watch the light, change your POV, and most importantly have fun with it.
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DrMoab
Explorer
I'm not much of a portrait shooter but I grabbed this one of my son. He had just about put his hand down on a rattlesnake and because we were all yelling and acting like...well like he had almost touched a rattlesnake, he got really shook up.
It's one of my favorite shots because it wasn't fake. It's about life and the things that happen on a daily basis.
It's one of my favorite shots because it wasn't fake. It's about life and the things that happen on a daily basis.
Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
Love the Butt Crack-Wedding shot Trevor....LOL
That is one that will be shown to everyone in the family I'm sure!
Bill, that's a great shot of your little guy!
The sunlight tip is a major factor is getting better images. Full sun is harsh and causes nasty shadows. It can make a pretty model look bad, so I'm sure you can imagine what it will do to a wife or girlfriend who is already self conscious about getting her photo taken...something to keep in mind.
Plus full sun usually makes people squint which scrunches up their face and changes their features. This doesnt have to be portrait specific either. Notice images used in major magazines and even the Journal.
The images that are usually the most powerful are the ones that are taken when the light it really low in the sky which gives you that soft glow
That is one that will be shown to everyone in the family I'm sure!
Bill, that's a great shot of your little guy!
The sunlight tip is a major factor is getting better images. Full sun is harsh and causes nasty shadows. It can make a pretty model look bad, so I'm sure you can imagine what it will do to a wife or girlfriend who is already self conscious about getting her photo taken...something to keep in mind.
Plus full sun usually makes people squint which scrunches up their face and changes their features. This doesnt have to be portrait specific either. Notice images used in major magazines and even the Journal.
The images that are usually the most powerful are the ones that are taken when the light it really low in the sky which gives you that soft glow
Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
This image will bring back memories years from now. It'll be one of those times you all laugh about now that we all know he's safe.
Good job having the camera ready to snap it off!! #1 rule in getting the good shot is having the camera ready at all times so you can capture stuff like this
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Overland Hadley
on a journey
JohnLemieuxPhotos
Adventurer
My friend Ashley
photoman
Explorer
John- great shot and I like the b&w conversion. One thing to always be aware of is how contrast adjustments and sharpening affect skin blemishes. I think if you took a few minutes to clean up her skin she would love the shot 100x more. Don't have to get crazy into editing with buying skin software - just using a blur or clone tool to reduce or eliminate imperfections.
photoman
Explorer
I agree with both of these points. When shooting portraits it is all about the eyes. If you can focus on them and get them really nice and sharp it makes the image.
While I agree in shooting in full shade and on overcast days are best - there is no reason to fear the flash. There are many cheap or even free flash tricks to make the flash seem more natural. The proper use of flash allows you to get those eyes bright and clear as mentioned above. Once you are comfortable with the flash you can use it to fill flash and help balance the subject vs the background.
Good points here!
photoman
Explorer
Natural light -
Most recent shoot
Light is reflected off a glass building across the street
Broken light under a railroad bridge
Doesn't always need to be a face shot. Candid stuff is sometimes the best.
You can shoot into the sun with natural light as well- Silhouette's make for great shots.
A couple other natural light shots
Most recent shoot
Light is reflected off a glass building across the street
Broken light under a railroad bridge
Doesn't always need to be a face shot. Candid stuff is sometimes the best.
You can shoot into the sun with natural light as well- Silhouette's make for great shots.
A couple other natural light shots