Taking flattering photos of older women - help !

[Louise1973]

Hi - I'm new here and really just learning how to use my Nikon D3000 - but could really use your advice.

By sheer luck I have managed to take some pretty nice portrait shots of friends and family and my Mum has asked me to take a pic of her for her 'About Us' page of her new website....

Mum is an interior designer and is a stylish 61 this year. I had thought of perhaps taking some black and white shots as they could perhaps be more flattering ?? Any hints or tips on taking good photos of a slightly mature lady would be appreciated.

And I really am just learning so please can you explain real clearly for me if you start talking 'camera speak'.....

I have already picked up some good ideas about the shot itself from the portraits tips features I have read....

I just hope I can find my thread when I log back in as this is my first time posting !

Thanks everyone !

[zona5101]

Hi and welcome.
- The biggest piece will be the lighting. hard and or angular lighting will not be good. You'll want soft big wrapping light. You may want to consider short lighting as it tends to thin the face.
- The second piece will be the angle you shoot from. It will define some shadows as well as determine how flattering the view is. For example shooting from a slightly down angle would be preferred over shooting at an upward angle.
- Generally you'll not want to have her shoulders square to the camera. If doing more than a head and shoulders shot, watch where you crop the arms (and legs if full body).

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by Louise1973

I had thought of perhaps taking some black and white shots as they could perhaps be more flattering ??

Try to avoid black and white for women if you're trying to be 'flattering' in a situation that demands it... colour images and the softer tones they provide are much kinder...

aside from that consideration, Bruce pretty much nailed it.

[cyber3d]

Well, if she is in the interior design profession you're in luck because you can shoot her a bit further back perhaps in a chair with lots of fabrics, furniture, and pieces surrounding her. You know, props that speak to her trade. So, you'll have to stand back a bit to get it all in the frame.

Personally, I think you should not be concerned about her age showing and keep shooting until her personality shines though. Try having her play with the props or drape herself with fabrics or sit in a really fun chair, etc..

[Louise1973]

Hi Bruce - thanks for your thoughts. How do you achieve 'big soft wrapping light' ? And use 'short lighting?' I really am new at this ....

I had planned to try what cyber 3d suggested and take some shots of her looking a fabric etc - but this is going to be indoors...so what do you suggest with the light.

I'm not trying to disguise her age - just trying to make sure she likes the shot - which she won't if all the things she doesn't like are too prominent. Thanks All.

[zona5101]

Short lighting is where the shadow side of the face is to the camera.

The "opposite "of short lighting is broad lighting.

Big soft light can be obtained by a softbox...or a nice big window! If you don't have lighting gear the window is perfect. In fact softboxes are made to emulate soft window light. The light should not be direct sunlight but indirect light. That's a matter of finding the right window or time of day so there isn't sunlight beaming in but just daylight (if that makes sense.)

image from:http://static.photo.net

[Louise1973]

Bruce this is very helpful - thanks. She has 2 windows in her house which have window seats so this sounds ideal (tho not in bright sunlight as you say). We don't often get bright sunlight in the North of England anyway sadly....

[zona5101]

a quick google search brought up these images where window light was used with short lighting...
source: http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI...566-560639.jpg


source: http://www.wildcoastphotoclub.com/up...371019.jpg?329


source: http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/se...h-of-field.jpg