Gear for Portraiture (for a newbie!)

[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

[oldwolf]

I'd recommend one of those 5 in 1 reflectors. Something like this:

Norman Collapsible Reflector, 5-in-1 - 42" (107cm) 812024

My recommendation is to get both LR and Elements or LR and PSP (Paint Shop Pro Photo X3). You can also get LR and GIMP. GIMP and PSP do more than Elements and will do just about anything PS can do.

If you're shooting solo then a lightstand with a holder for the reflector will help a lot.

[Rentham]

Here's another vote for Lightroom and a reflector. I don't think a UV filter is necessary for portraits. Dollar for dollar, a basic lighting kit will give you more options with your photography than anything else. I'd grab an affordable manual speedlite (like the LP160 from MPEX), a stand, some cheap radio triggers, and a 60" convertible umbrella. Even including all the odds and ends you'd need, you can be up and running for around $300.

[KodiakStar]

Once you start getting used to adding light, you will want more light.. and more.. and more... Light gets expensive, but it can make all the difference in the world.

Additionally take a look at the 85mm 1.8 or the 70-200 f4 glass. I'm looking to move over to Canon from Oly, and it seems those two lenses do wonders for portraits.


If you haven't already, another great resource for lighting outside this forum is the Strobist community. They have several "lessons" on teaching you the basics of off-camera lighting.

[jdepould]

+1 on the flexfill, I love mine. Just make sure you get one decently large, or it won't be useful for humans.

[camaddictus]

With outdoor portraiture you face the challenge of controlling the light. With planning to shoot outdoors, the two items I would recommend above all are a good off camera flash, and a reflector. I would plan about $200 to $300 for a good flash for your Canon, but the reflector can be anything from a large piece of white paper to (as you used in a couple of your images) a good white wall. You can get some really good reflectors for fairly cheap, but make sure that if you don't have an assistant, get a stand.

The best advice I could offer though, is to just keep shooting. See what works, and experiment with your settings. Use manual and priority settings as much as possible, and make note of what settings really pop with your pictures.

[autofocus]

Jordan, my best advice for you is to get any of the editing S/W already mentioned...use it, learn it, and get proficient in it. Before you even want to consider jumping in with both feet with additional equipment I feel you must learn editing..and it could be a steep learning curve. In the mean time take lots of shots, practice and develop your skills. A large reflector as mentioned above would be a good start, and start working with it. When you feel you're starting to feel good about your results, then maybe that'll be the right time to think about lenses and flash purchases. Work with those items until you feel real comfortable with them...does this sound like a many month commitment?...at a minimum, you can figure it will be, and possibly longer.

[jordanmarie]

Thank you to everyone for your advice! I'm very excited to learn more about portraiture and will definitely take all of your advice into account!