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Stacey <> writes:

> wavelength wrote:

>>and I was wondering what your list of most needed items for outdoor
>>portraiture would be?

> A reflector. Makes all the difference in the world.

What he said. A silver/white fire blanket or the like that is heavy
enough to not blow away in the slightest breeze, and tough enough to
last while being thrown on the rock/beach/lawn... is a huge win.

And a couple of good folding chairs so the victim can rest/giggle at
other/powder nose etc. And a couple of good blankets.

--
Paul Repacholi 1 Crescent Rd.,
+61 (0 9257-1001 Kalamunda.
West Australia 6076
comp.os.vms,- The Older, Grumpier Slashdot
Raw, Cooked or Well-done, it's all half baked.
EPIC, The Architecture of the future, always has been, always will be.

On Thu, 11 Aug 2005 15:54:38 -0700, wavelength wrote:

> My wife and I have been dabbling in outdoor portraiture of late (not
> charging yet, but our friends are happy, and people who see the results
> and did pay "pro's" are unhappy... read: Olan Mills), and I was wondering
> what your list of most needed items for outdoor portraiture would be?
> Please bar any desires to opine about your favorite dSLR or lenses, I'll
> buy a better one when I start charging ... Just wondering about any
> props, lighting tricks/tools, techniques, or whatnot that might be
> interesting. I have a few, but I'd like to see what you think first.
>
> This will probably be mostly for senior pictures, but already have some
> requests (and sessions done) for Wedding/couples.
>
> Thanks for any ideas.

What you need the most right now isn't hardware, it's knowledge. If you
have that, you'll know what hardware you need.

So, my suggestion is first go to the library -- yes, that building with
all the books -- check out and STUDY every book they have on portraiture
and lighting. In your case, you'll want to keep an eye out for books on
"natural" or "available" light techniques for portrait and glamour
photography. In many case, a lot of these books will be 10, 15, 20 years
old or older. Doesn't matter, the lighting techniques still apply today.

Once, you've done that, go to a bookstore and BUY two or three books on
natural and artificial lighting for general portraiture as well as glamour
and theatrical photography.

Once you've done all that, you'll know what do-dads you'll need for your
outdoor portraits. You'll also know what makes for a good field portrait.

And by all means, when starting out follow the KISS principle: Keep It
Simple, Stupid.

Stefan

As allready discribed in the other replies,
light is your most important tool.

The method I had some success with
was tele lens and a flash. Expose normally
and use the flash only to light up shadows.
(-1.3/-1.5/-1.7 underexposure for the flash
with TTL-metering).
(With this setup I could make rather
spontanious photo's (forgive me my English)).

Reflectors are a great idea, but take more
'organisation'.

ben brugman


"wavelength" <> schreef in bericht news: oups.com...
> Hello,
>
> My wife and I have been dabbling in outdoor portraiture of late (not
> charging yet, but our friends are happy, and people who see the results
> and did pay "pro's" are unhappy... read: Olan Mills), and I was
> wondering what your list of most needed items for outdoor portraiture
> would be? Please bar any desires to opine about your favorite dSLR or
> lenses, I'll buy a better one when I start charging ... Just
> wondering about any props, lighting tricks/tools, techniques, or
> whatnot that might be interesting. I have a few, but I'd like to see
> what you think first.
>
> This will probably be mostly for senior pictures, but already have some
> requests (and sessions done) for Wedding/couples.
>
> Thanks for any ideas.
>