Portraits notes

Shoot a Formal Portrait

• prepare in advance; make list of all equipment and supplies needed
• practice set-up routine ahead of time
• be relaxed
• have friend assist and adjust location of lights and hold reflector

1. - background close to wall
-10-20 feet of clear space in front of background, plus room to sides
-background can be a roll of paper, background cloth, or wall
-stool in front 4-6 feet from background
2. -light about 45 degrees to right of subject
-reflector on subject's left side, about 3-4 feet away
3. -camera directly in front, 6-10 feet
-talk to subject, guide how to pose

Camera Settings

• formal portrait- shoot with wide open aperture to make the background out of focus
• normal lenses= f/2 or f/2.8
• zoom lenses= f/3.5 or f/4.5
• these f-stops will keep subject in focus and the background out of focus
• wide-open aperture-=increase shutter speed on camera

Lighting for Formal Portraits
Indoors

• place one light 45 degrees angle on one side of subject
• use reflector on opposite side

Outdoors

• direct sunlight isn't the best lighting for portraits
• shooting in open shade good idea
• reflector to light up any shadows, 3-6 feet away
• cloudy days are great

The Candid Portrait

• don't try to pose your subject
• take w/o subject noticing
• include your subject's surroundings
• be sensitive to subject's facial expressions
• include high and low perspectives, close-in and distance shots

Camera settings

• faster shutter speed like 1/250 and higher= freeze action
• use low built-in flash or accessory flash= get closer within range