- This blog was for an English course, and I didn't know whether I should continue it or not. Would I have the time? Would I have the creativity? What would I possibly right about?
- I haven't had much to post! Summer came about, and then I was working full time and nothing seemed quite right.
OUTDOOR PORTRAITS
Now, I'm a newbie. But just in the first shoots, you always run into some hiccups. So if you're thinking about photographing your friends, neighbors, pregnant aunts, then you might want to think about a few things before running to the park.
1. Cloudy/overcast weather is always best. Some think, "Oh, what a beautiful day for a photoshoot, not a cloud in the sky!" Wrong. Shadows are extremely harsh in sunny conditions, not to mention you're going to have to crank your shutter speed up to 1/4000th per sec. or higher (if your camera goes higher than that) just to get a decent exposure. Light clothing will be prone to wash out, and your model isn't going to want to squint in the pictures. Wait for overcast skies, the clouds will spread out the sunlight evenly, giving your model a lovely complexion --- see Noelle above there.
2. Always keep a large piece of white foamcore in your car when shooting. You can pick one up at any Staples or crafts store. Make sure that it's sturdy and can hold up on it's own (you don't want something that can flap around.) If you want a more evenly-lighted face, you can easily get this by holding the board on the darker side of the model. The white of the board will reflect light back onto the model. You can also use the board to block out sunlight if you do choose to shoot on a sunny day. See Melissa, below. The shadow around her is actually me holding up a board to block the sun from giving her a washed out face.
3. Always make your model feel comfortable. Most clients won't know what they want, and they expect you to guide them. Talk to them about their hobbies, views, what they're doing next weekend. The more you know, the better. Ask them what they think about sitting, climbing, and such. Ask them about what angles they think they personally look best at. You'll get the best pictures if you both know the expectations of the other.
4. It's the thought that counts! Always bring a bottle of water and a pocket mirror for your client. Depending on the weather, you never know if their hair isn't just right, and you definitely don't want anyone getting dehydrated.
5. Have fun with it!
