Author Topic: Portrait - Warning: questionable image quality... (Read 536 times)

Blaufeld · « **on:** January 02, 2012, 11:20:29 AM »

My first try at a portrait, without studio equipment and proper lightning...

BW Portrait di blaufeld66, su Flickr

I would like some suggestion as to improve my technic, bearing in mind that I don't have a proper working space or
gear...
Thank you in advance!

asterinex · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2012, 11:28:38 AM »

I always try to capture people as natural as possible. No posing, no acting,... just shoot them by surprise.
I have an E-P1 and never use flash. A bright lens helps a lot, especially indoors.
And last but not least; use lightroom !

voyager · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:07:48 PM »

Work on post processing, you'll get much less grayscale and much more vibrant images when converting to black and white.

E-M5 Pete · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:30:11 PM »

A lot can done in Post... But, also, watch where the light is coming in from when you are inside.

A drawn white shear on a window (or white bed sheet) can improve the harsh light coming in through the window.

An overcast day outside is your best friend for outdoor portraits... lower contrast is why.

a small flash with a white gym sock over the light source also gives softer contrast for contrast. (TTL flash is ideal), or one that has multiple auto f/stop modes.
Use auto f/8 or so and "A" mode, on the flash and camera, and change the f/stop to tweak the exposure)

Jason C · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:43:01 PM »

I would suggest getting the camera out of frame. All of my selfs are mostly hand held, not easy at times but it can work.

Yes, candid captures are the best.

And as always, practice, practice and practice some more. When you have no more practice to do, practice some more. Find what YOU like the best, what works best for YOU. Same goes for PP; YOU need to mess around and discover what PP works best for YOU...actually what PP works best for the capture.

Just take a lot of pictures and post your findings here!

Jason C

RT_Panther · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2012, 02:35:43 PM »

Then there's B&W HDR....
-> http://www.digital-photography-school.com/hdr-for-black-and-white-a-step-by-step-guide

lisandra · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2012, 09:45:33 PM »

Well, it depends on what you're trying to achieve, do you want the studio look with what you have in the house? Or are you aiming for more casual.

Blaufeld · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2012, 03:54:34 AM »

Thanks to you all for the suggestions - now Ill start to study the subject and working to improve myself!

Portrait - Warning: questionable image quality...