Basic kit for outdoor portraits

[hotchilidamo]

Ok, so I've had a taster of portrait work in a studio which I really enjoyed. Trouble is I can't afford to keep spending the money to hire a studio everytime. So I was thinking of trying to encourage people to let me shoot them outdoors, which is free and is more convenient for me an my models. That way I will be able to get as much practice in as I want without breaking the bank.

So before I head out there what basic kit should I be looking at saving up for? I have an 85m 1.8 which is great for portraits and I'm very happy with my canon 60d. Could I just get away with buying a reflector to start with, or should I look at buying off camera flash first? Or should I learn the basics first with no kit?

[GreggObst]

I guess the first question would be how experienced and comfortable do you feel with the gear you already have ?

Yes, I would start with using a reflector. Get one of the cheap 5-in-1 reflectors. They offer a wide variety of different reflective and light diffusing/canceling properties and are typically less than $40 on Amazon and I think Midwest Photo Exchange has them on sale this week for $29.99. That will get you started. Try working in the shade and get used to using the reflector to bring natural light up into the areas of the face that are typically dark like eye sockets, underside of chin.

Once you get good with the reflector and how to bounce light, then look at a cheap strobist off camera flash kit. A good place to start looking for something like that is MidWest Photo Exchange (Strobist) . I'm not a Canon shooter but I think the 60d has the ability to wirelessly trigger a Canon flash.

Be sure to check out "Lighting 101 and Lighting 102" sections of Strobist for great topics on all elements of off camera lighting.

[SusanH1970]

Agreed, definitely start off with a reflector. If you have someone that can help you out by holding it, even better. Move the reflector around and learn to see how the light and shadows fall on your subject before you press the shutter.

For all of my outdoor work, I use a 5-in-one as Gregg mentioned. If you have an interest in off-camera flash, then by all means explore that once you're comfortable with using your current equipment with a reflector.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Agreed, definitely start off with a reflector. If you have someone that can help you out by holding it, even better. Move the reflector around and learn to see how the light and shadows fall on your subject before you press the shutter.

For all of my outdoor work, I use a 5-in-one as Gregg mentioned. If you have an interest in off-camera flash, then by all means explore that once you're comfortable with using your current equipment with a reflector.

dogpile!

meaning i agree as in bugs bunny "dog pile on the rabbit" - an alternative to the classic "+1" and only explained in order to meet the 10 character minimum. Besides "dogpile!" sounds fun.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by zona5101

dogpile!

meaning i agree as in bugs bunny "dog pile on the rabbit" - an alternative to the classic "+1" and only explained in order to meet the 10 character minimum. Besides "dogpile!" sounds fun.

Have you been smoking your socks again, Bruce?

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Have you been smoking your socks again, Bruce?

Oh come on! You know you love it when someone yells "DOGPILE ON SUSAN!!"

and, besides, i'm not wearing any socks....

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by zona5101

and, besides, i'm not wearing any socks....

Because you smoked them.

[GreggObst]

Also, if you have no assistant available to hold the reflector, you may want to look at the Lastolite Tri-grip reflector. It is a gold reflector on one side and either silver or white on the other side, depending on the model. The advantage is that you can hold the Tri-Grip in one hand while working the camera in the other because of the stiff rubber coated handle on the reflector. They are a little more expensive (in the $65-70 range) but well worth it if you are working completely alone with a single subject. There are cheaper knock-off models but they don't have the stiff handle mechanism and end up rotating in your hand when you try and hold it. The Lastolite model is far superior in that regard.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by GreggObst

Also, if you have no assistant available to hold the reflector, you may want to look at the Lastolite Tri-grip reflector. It is a gold reflector on one side and either silver or white on the other side, depending on the model. The advantage is that you can hold the Tri-Grip in one hand while working the camera in the other because of the stiff rubber coated handle on the reflector. They are a little more expensive (in the $65-70 range) but well worth it if you are working completely alone with a single subject. There are cheaper knock-off models but they don't have the stiff handle mechanism and end up rotating in your hand when you try and hold it. The Lastolite model is far superior in that regard.

Thanks for pointing that out. I've seen those before and I keep meaning to pick one up for those times I don't have an assistant.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Thanks for pointing that out. I've seen those before and I keep meaning to pick one up for those times I don't have an assistant.

check out a photoflex light disc holder... fits on a lightstand... then you can use your 5in1 and position it anywhere including overhead/behind your subject to block/soften the light...
you can use it to hold collapable backgrounds too if your light stand is tall enough...
Photoflex Telescopic Litedisc Holder - 36-67" DL-BHOLDER