Senior Photos - First Timer

MDalby

I am shooting some senior portraits this weekend. I am looking for some pointers.

Here is my current plan:

1. Shoot with my 70-200 2.8
2. Shoot wide open, 150 mm focal length for bokeh
3. We are going to shoot in the evening around 6:30 start time so hopefully the natural lighting will be OK.
4. I think I will be using OCF fill flash to try to keep the shadows correct.
5. I plan to just use my speedlight and a Demb Flip-it bounce card to diffuse
   
6. I think I will try to have the flash within about 6' of the subject and at a real low power??
7. I will shoot most of the shots vertically in profile format and maybe a few in landscape.

Any other suggestions? I am worried about the flash.

Tim Kamppinen

Number five is a problematic. Using an off camera flash with a Flip-it outdoors isn't really going to give you light that's any softer than just bare flash. To get soft light you need to increase the size of the light source (significantly; a flip it isn't going to do much). Do you have any other modifiers? A shoot through umbrella would be good for this and they're cheap. A softbox would also work. Just remember, the larger the modifier, the softer the light (at the same distance) but the more power it will need from the flash.

MDalby

Yes, I have a shoot through umbrella. I was a little worried about possible wind impact. I also have White Lightning ultra 1800 flashes with battery pack with softboxes. They are a little unwieldy. The softboxes are 3'x4'. I am willing to go that route though if you guys think that will give me the best results.

I failed to mention that these shots will be in a park outdoors.

MDalby

Is there a good source for senior photo poses on the internet?

zoomer

Try using no flash rather than using on camera flash. Or you can hold it in your hand and just point at stuff and bounce it. Don't carry all that other flash equipment...spend the time with your subject not with your gear.
Bring a better low light lens to use as it gets darker.
Watch Your Backgrounds.
Keep it fun...don't let your subject know you are new to it. If you are confident and having fun...they will be confident and having fun.
Here is a senior gallery it may give you some ideas: http://alloutdoor.smugmug.com/BoiseSeniorPictures/senior-portraits-boise-two/13160887_8JU8i#1003456172_HfJxY

MDalby

zoomer wrote: »

Try using no flash rather than using on camera flash. Or you can hold it in your hand and just point at stuff and bounce it. Don't carry all that other flash equipment...spend the time with your subject not with your gear.
Bring a better low light lens to use as it gets darker.
Watch Your Backgrounds.
Keep it fun...don't let your subject know you are new to it. If you are confident and having fun...they will be confident and having fun.
Here is a senior gallery it may give you some ideas: http://alloutdoor.smugmug.com/BoiseSeniorPictures/senior-portraits-boise-two/13160887_8JU8i#1003456172_HfJxY

Thanks for the tips. I wasn't going to use an ON camera flash. I was thinking of using an OFF camera flash. I think a speedlight on a light stand will be very quick and easy and not detract from my interaction with the subject. I think the White Lightnings will be overkill with the softboxes etc.

I think I can get the shots in with my lens with plenty of time in light before i have to worry about low light conditions. I really want to stick with the 70-200.

I agree about keeping things fun with the client.

Thanks

Qarik

for the off camera softbox..remember as Tim said the, the larger the apparent light source the softer the light. keep the the softbox AS CLOSE as possible. If you are shooting a classic protrait, 18 inches is not too close...just out of camera view for the softest light possible.

technical issues aside, plan for the "best" shots towards the end of the shoot. If you have particular background that you favor the most..shoot that at the end. Most folks take some time to get loose and comfortable in front of the camera.

MDalby

I don't have a softbox for my speedlight so that would mean I need to use my White Lightnings... That is a lot of gear to haul around on location. I think I am going to have to compromise and try the umbrella.

My wife would kick me outta the house if I splurged for another softbox for my speedlight.

Thanks for the help everyone!

MD

sweet caroline

I've had the wind issue cause problems in the past. Depending on my location, I usually don't use umbrellas anymore. Sometimes I'll use the umbrella for shots where I know I'll be close to the light stand and close to the subject. I usually put a flash on a light stand to give me some fill, and use a reflector to add nice catchlights to the eyes. Now, if I had assistants, I would totally use umbrellas or soft boxes! All that being said, I love natural light.

divamum

Time to enlist an assistant to act as a Voice Activated Lightstand (or just to hold the physical stand with the umbrella on it). Unless it's windy, you should be fine. You can also have them help with a reflector as needed. Doesn't need to be somebody skilled (although that helps!), just cooperative

ETA: Also, search for posts by "jeffreaux2" - his signature has a link to jhis tips for Senior shoots

MDalby

Thank you to all of you for the tips.

MileHighAko

Mark - two resources I've found helpful:

1) http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/05/19/how-to-pose-seniors/

2) http://www.dpmag.com/how-to/shooting/lighting-makes-the-difference-fill-in-the-light.html


Btw, what park are you shooting at? I'm in Castle Rock and have found some nice places to shoot seniors around town, but am always looking for new locations with good light options. I'm considering Hudson Gardens (in Littleton) for fall portraits this year.

MDalby

Adam,

There is a very nice park on Lincoln in Parker. You take Havana off of Lincoln and go North to Meridian. Nice trees, a stream, a lake, bridges, rocks seem to be custom made for photo shoots. I also know of a nice secluded broken down barn in Parker. Downtown Parker kinda has a nice feel to it too with lots of brick and a nice urban setting with light posts etc. I'll drop you a board mail and let's compare notes.

Thanks for the links.

MD

wolf911

2 speedlights, 2 umbrellas, 2 stands, 2 sandbags is what I like to use for outdoor lighting. At times I use the beauty dish with a speed liglht also. A fill light of some sort and work with the ambient light for background is a must for me. Keep an eye on structures as the sun is going down can create some cool effects with shadows and light on structures, like walls. The sky itself changes constantly making for some dramatic shots.

On POTN - good thread dedicated to seniors with 100s of pics - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=914406

Practice if ya can will help greatly.

MDalby

wolf911 wrote: »

2 speedlights, 2 umbrellas, 2 stands, 2 sandbags is what I like to use for outdoor lighting. At times I use the beauty dish with a speed liglht also. A fill light of some sort and work with the ambient light for background is a must for me. Keep an eye on structures as the sun is going down can create some cool effects with shadows and light on structures, like walls. The sky itself changes constantly making for some dramatic shots.

On POTN - good thread dedicated to seniors with 100s of pics - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=914406

Practice if ya can will help greatly.

When I have gone to my location during the sweet hours there is quite a bit of activity there with senior photos. It is a popular location. I have not seen a single person using fill flash and I was hoping to look at how they were doing it. I am going to try to get a practice session in tomorrow. Thank you for the advice and the link!