Portraits - Moving out of auto mode

[jamie1982]

Ok, so I have been getting asked to do a lot of portraits recently from friends and family.

I have done a few, and they have come out ok. but I am still shooting in manual or portrait modes. I am really nervous about moving out of this and could really use some suggestions on this.

Anyone able to offer me any advice?

[jml79]

I am assuming you mean auto or portrait mode. This is how I would transition.

1. Read up on exposure and depth of field. There are a ton of great stuff here and elsewhere on the web.
2. Learn to use your camera's DOF preview if it has one.
3. Start in program mode "P" here you can select the ISO and you will hopefully have EV comp and be able to page through the different exposure combo's. You may find it easier to jump straight to Aperture Priority (A or Av on most camera's) where you again can control ISO, EV comp and directly change the aperture to control your depth of field.

I am assuming you have a DSLR, if you have a P&S then the technique is a little different but depending on what you have some decent portraits with a little bokeh can be taken.

[jamie1982]

I have a Nikon D5000. A 18-55mm lens and a 70-300mm lens. I also have a main studio light with various umbrella's a softbox and stands and things as well as a 'slave' flash which flashes simultainously with the main one. (For some reason, nether of them would sync with the camera last night, but did not have time to troubleshoot it). I also have a tripod and various stands and backdrops (backdrops are all fabric, not great ones to be honest, just cheap ones picked up from fabrick shops for about £10 each).

I have read a number of the guides on here and found them very interesting, but difficult to put into practice due to lack of time with people who are willing to just be a gunie pig for me.

[jml79]

Wow, you have been shooting off camera flash in auto... I honestly didn't know that would work (never tried in auto). Seems like after reading about the exposure triangle and portrait composition you should head over to 'The Strobist' and spend a few hours there learning how to use your lighting system and how to mix and control lights in manual.

Next, find a stand in like a giant stuffed animal and take some time in aperture priority and manual learning your depth of field. Which backgrounds do you want sharp, which ones blurry. Which lens makes the nicest bokeh or the sharpest image. What are the best settings for your camera and lenses for a fully sharp picture and a shallow picture. Make sure you try both lenses. I honestly use my 70-210 instead of my 18-70 for portrait work because it is a sharper lens and faster for when I want a very shallow DOF. Can't wait until I get a Minolta 50-1.7. Make sure you take the time to arrange a couple of standins in a few different 'poses' so you can learn how to handle your DOF and lighting when you have multiple people in the picture.

Just play and practice. This will allow you to develop and identify specific issues to deal with. Learn to use the gear you have and figure out what you are missing. I don't know how else to help without re-writing the many great articles that are already out there for you.

Best of luck.

[gifarkas]

Yeah, just read Lighting 101 on Strobist. If you have studio strobes, you should shoot in full manual.

[dandellion]

With all the good advices above only thing I'd add is to stop being nervous and start shooting. Manual mode is nothing hard, especially now in the digital era. Take a couple of days to experiment. Don't be afraid to err. In no time you'll be wondering why have you ever shoot auto.
And you might like to use aperture priority as well It gives you nice control of manual and easiness of use of auto.