how to take portraits

joshhuntnm

I am trying to teach myself to take good portraits. Here are three attempts of my wife, me, and my son. How can these be improved? (other than ironing my shirt!)

3n-out

Josh,

I'm no professional - heh - far from it. But the shots don't look bad here on my side. The only thing I would try to accomplish is to get more light on the hair of your wife and son. Being a dark back ground their hair seems to blend into it. You and I don't have that problem since we both sport perfect gray do's. I think by just putting a little light from the top or side may make these very good portraits.

Scott_Quier

Put some more light either on the hair or on the background. This will have the effect of separating the hair from the background. Also, bump the exposure up a touch - they look a little dark to me.

Read. A couple of books I've found particularly helpful:

• Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers (link)
• Professional Posing Techniques for Wedding and Portrait Photographers (link)

joshhuntnm

Thanks!

I agree with the light on the head. I am using a couple of umbrellas and 430xs on the sides. Would like a regular 75 watt bulb be enough for the top of the head, or do I need another flash?

1pocket

joshhuntnm wrote:

Thanks!

I agree with the light on the head. I am using a couple of umbrellas and 430xs on the sides. Would like a regular 75 watt bulb be enough for the top of the head, or do I need another flash?

Eeeks, an incandescent bulb is going to ruin your colorcast -- unless it is totally washed away by your flash...

joshhuntnm

1pocket wrote:

Eeeks, an incandescent bulb is going to ruin your colorcast -- unless it is totally washed away by your flash...

ok, so what kind of light do I need?

Scott_Quier

joshhuntnm wrote:

ok, so what kind of light do I need?

Another of the same color - basically, another flash. Or, you can shoot with all kinds of different light and covert to B&W

gregneil

joshhuntnm wrote:

Thanks!

I agree with the light on the head. I am using a couple of umbrellas and 430xs on the sides. Would like a regular 75 watt bulb be enough for the top of the head, or do I need another flash?

Or how about using one of your flashes for hair or background light, and then the other flash as the main with a reflector or even just a large white posterboard for fill?