Portrait Photography Gear/Accessories

[jordanmarie]

Hi all!

I'm just getting started in photography and finally becoming comfortable with my Canon 50D and 18-135mm lens.

I love taking portrait shots, but I also know that if I want to take my photography up a notch I'll need to put some more money into it. I currently do not have any editing software, which I realize is essential (I'm debating between Lightroom and Photoshop elements-or a combination of the 2). I also think I'll need a polarizing filter. I only have a UV filter right now. Plus, I'd like to get an external flash. I think that's pretty necessary.

Anything else you think is really important for a new portrait photographer to have? Besides skills ? Reflectors, softboxes, anything? I prefer outdoor photography, but that might just be because I've never done portraits indoors!

Thanks for any help you can provide!
Jordan

Flickr: jordiepotter's Photostream

[LauraZ]

Hi Jordan,
I probably am not the most qualified person to give advice, but I have been exactly where you are not too long ago, and I can tell you in retrospect what helped me.

The first things I'd start off with is a 50mm 1.2, 1.4 or 1.8 (three different lenses, in different price ranges). The 50 is a good focal length, both for family and for individual portraits, and that wide aperature gives you nice options for depth-of-field -- blurring out that background is such a nice effect.

Lightroom is the most used piece of software I own and you can do a lot of editing on a lot of photos really quickly, and it has powerful organizing tools as well. I can't speak to Photoshop Elements, having never used it. I do have Photoshop for more heavy duty editing, though.

I did get a Speedlite, but I use it much less than the 50mm and Lightroom. I prefer the effect of natural light so will work to stay away from the flash if at all possible.

Hope this might help!
Laura

[zona5101]

Laura's got some good advice. A fast 50 will come in in real handy. If your watching pennies, nothing wrong with the f1.8 version. Decent focal length for portraits on a crop body. Light room would be the next spend followed by a decent flash - like the 580. It's big$$ but better to cry only once.

[Crabs]

Some good advice I have had when trying to decide the best focal length for you is to put your current lens on a certain focal length, say 28mm or 50mm (popular prime lens sizes) and leave it there. The take some photos, basically pretending your zoom lens is a prime.
This will give you an idea of what focal length your are happier with and how you will have to take photos if you decide on a prime.

For example if you are happier with the results you are getting with your camera at 28mm rather than the 50mm then you might be better of buying a 28mm prime.

Another thing to consider is the lens perspective. Prime lenses tend to "strech" out an image were as zoom lenses tend to "compress" and image - basically meaning that optically the depth of the photo is less with a zoom. You did mention that your are interested in portrait photos, often a prime lens that streches out the persective of a image can result in unflatering portraits. eg. peoples noses look bigger than they really are.

I think that when it comes to speed often the faster the better, however some people have experienced a reduction in "sharpness" in some lenses at their lowest f/stop but when taking portraits that can actually be sort of nice.

I think that a speedlite is one of the best tools in my bag. But I pretty much only use it in day light, to fill shaddows when the sun is very bright. You can use a reflector for this, but if your portrait is a little more casual or you are working with kids, it is not often practical to be trying to aim a reflector. Look on www.shopbot.com.au for a speedlite, you will find a good deal.

I am also trying to do the same sort of research you are, and trying to decide on a lens, the above is feed back I have had to similar questions. I am thinking now that I will be looking for a fast 18-80 ish lens (canon) ... any advice on specific lenses anyone??

[RichardTaylor]

Perspective is determined by the subject distance from the camera.
The closer you to are to a subject the more "enhanced
is the perspective (long noses)

It has nothing to do with being a prime or zoom lens being used.

However longer focal lengths do allow you to shoot from further away while still filling the frame so giving you that "pleasing" perspective.

@ Crabs
If you want "fastish" in a zoom from 18-80. you will be looking at at least two lenses. (18~50 & 24-70)
There are quite a few around in the range 18-50mm F2.8
The only only one I am personally familiar with is the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 which is ok except focussing can be very slow and difficult in low light.
Canon do make a EF-S17-55mm F2.8 which has received good reviews.

Lots of choices in the 24-70 F2.8 range.
I have a friend who uses the Canon 24-70 F2.8 and he loves it.

If want faster you will need a 3-4 primes to cover that range.
I have a Canon 35 F2, 50mm F1.8 & 85mm F1.8
And all meet my needs both IQ wise and budget wise.
I don't own any wider faster primes, however I do own a Canon 24 F2.8 and it is ok.
You may find this site handy.
Canon & Nikon Digital SLR Camera & Lens Reviews