The Lovely Helen - My first portrait shoot

VirtualAdept said:
Can I ask what sort of processing you used on #7? I've got some shots of my wife that'd look brilliant like that.
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Do you use Lightroom? If so, I have created a preset for you which you can download here (you could always download the trial of Lightroom)

http://www.mediafire.com/?oomzykz2nyl

I did some extra stuff in Photoshop after as well, but this should help.

You might have to make some tweaks to suit the lighting of your shot, for example I used similar settings for this but I had to change it to suit:

3725258624_3b6e35df87.jpg
 
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ScarySquirrel said:
Canon 50mm 1.8 and Sigma 150mm macro believe it or
not.
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Apologies for the shameless bump here and no its not to ogle helen once again. I had to read through the entire post to get that bit of information! I noticed that you've also got a sigma 10 - 20 along with a sigma 17 - 70 mm. Have you used either of those for portraiture (with or without helen), I ask because I have approached a good friend of mine who unfortunately lives in miles away if she would model for me (just so happens we need to catch up anyway) and early signs seem to indicate she is willing to :) Now like OP I have never really done any portrait photos (some for a Football Testimonial Golf Match but nothing really) I have the nifty fifty, and also the canon 100 mm macro but the widest lens I have is the lower end of the kit lens which i thought might be good for some up close and personal shots. Just really looking for a bit of advice from the now seasoned pros of OCuk ;)
 
I have used all of them for portraits, some examples:

10-20:
As above post #81

17-70:
3851827878_dfef66735d.jpg


50:
3813070144_825f7764cd.jpg


150:
In original post, most of the close up head shots.


I would say the 100mm Macro would be pretty good for head shots as it should be pretty sharp. As your on a crop sensor like me, anything longer than 100mm and you'll be standing a fair way back (I was pretty far away when using the 150mm macro, although near enough to still trigger the flashes).

The kit lens will be good in terms of focal length, as you can try out various things throughout the whole range.

The nifty fifty is definitely one to use though, mainly for head and shoulder shots.
 
Thanks for the info. I know the one thing that I am lacking is the additional lighting stuff that you used on your shoot. So i think I'll have to improvise with angled spotlights or as much natural light as possible in addition to any use of my flash bounced off the ceiling and just hope for the best if i do any outdoor stuff.

Certainly the shoot wont be till next month but I'm sure I'll get reading up of stuff to make sure everything comes out right. Already downloaded a poses pdf so at least I'll know what to do with her :p
 
Derek W said:
Thanks for the info. I know the one thing that I am lacking is the additional lighting stuff that you used on your shoot. So i think I'll have to improvise with angled spotlights or as much natural light as possible in addition to any use of my flash bounced off the ceiling and just hope for the best if i do any outdoor stuff.

Certainly the shoot wont be till next month but I'm sure I'll get reading up of stuff to make sure everything comes out right. Already downloaded a poses pdf so at least I'll know what to do with her :p
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A reflector with some decent ambient light will work a treat. Personally though I love working with strobes :)

Derek, I'll send you something to your email in Trust, it's about 300 odd JPGs of poses which are really good, I prefer them to the PDF that is doing the rounds.

I'll send it over in the next 5 mins, hope it helps. I know it will help me as posing is the thing that I am useless at, so for my next shoot with Helen I have no doubt it will help a lot.

EDIT: File is too big, I'll upload it somewhere.

EDIT: Sent, enjoy :)
 
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ScarySquirrel said:
A reflector with some decent ambient light will work a treat. Personally though I love working with strobes :)

Derek, I'll send you something to your email in Trust, it's about 300 odd JPGs of poses which are really good, I prefer them to the PDF that is doing the rounds.

I'll send it over in the next 5 mins, hope it helps. I know it will help me as posing is the thing that I am useless at, so for my next shoot with Helen I have no doubt it will help a lot.

EDIT: File is too big, I'll upload it somewhere.

EDIT: Sent, enjoy :)
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Dont suppose you'd mind sending me the link mate?

Got a pretty huge shoot coming up with 3 models, a chanel penthouse apartment, and one majorly nervous photographer :o

Im usually ok with poses and such in the studio but I know Im gonna be a bit nervous to start with!
 
mr tommo said:
Dont suppose you'd mind sending me the link mate?

Got a pretty huge shoot coming up with 3 models, a chanel penthouse apartment, and one majorly nervous photographer :o
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and what mr squirrel should have replied with was.......yes no problem, just remember to post some pics here after the shoot :p
 
I got them from auction, they are called Cactus V2s, although I believe there are Cactus V4's around now.

Having said that, I have heard good things about a new set of 'budget' wireless triggers, model number is RF-602. Not sure who they are made by, but I think I'll invest in some as I have some more flashes now.
 
ScarySquirrel said:
Having said that, I have heard good things about a new set of 'budget' wireless triggers, model number is RF-602. Not sure who they are made by, but I think I'll invest in some as I have some more flashes now.
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Got a set of these on the auction site. First set was faulty but next one was fine and has been working with no problems for months now - dirt cheap but surprisingly good
 
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