Can someone help?

[BolognaJPhotography]

So i'm just starting out as a photographer and any advice you all can offer would be much appreciated. I recently was contacted to do a Valentines shoot for a friend of mine here in the next few weeks. For the most part i've only shot portraits and full body shots outdoors using all natural lighting. I'm not real comfortable yet with indoor lighting mostly because of my lack of knowledge with how to use it. This is my first shoot like this and i'm honestly pretty nervous about it. Is there anything anyone can suggest as far as...types of light, types of backdrops, even how to set up my subject...any advice or suggestions are most appreciated. Thank you

[Nicole]

I've just moved this thread over to the Photographing People section, which is a good place for you to start reading. I'm sure other people will chime in as well.

You might also find some help reading some of the articles here: Home Studio | DIYPhotography.net but that depends how much time you have and how much DIY you want to do.

Just as a starting point though, what kind of gear do you have for this shoot? Lenses / Camera / Lights. It will help people to provide you with advice.

[BolognaJPhotography]

thank you nicole. Right now i have the Nikon D5000, i have the 18-55 kit lens, and a 55-200mm. I have a tripod, but as far as any other types of gear such as lights or reflectors i don't really have any. I'm on a small budget but would like to know what sort of things i should get. thank you

[BolognaJPhotography]

....i appreciate you replying to my post....but i have no idea what you are talking about..i don't know what those letters and numbers mean...if you could clarify what type of gear you're talking about using maybe that would help. sorry i'm just kinda new to this so maybe i just don't understand the terminology yet. Thank you

[zona5101]

So what is your friend expecting you to do? Has she/he spelled out any expectations? Have you in turn explained your lack of gear and experience shooting indoors? Time to make sure everyone is on the same page.

[Artaxx]

Originally Posted by BolognaJPhotography

....i appreciate you replying to my post....but i have no idea what you are talking about..i don't know what those letters and numbers mean...if you could clarify what type of gear you're talking about using maybe that would help. sorry i'm just kinda new to this so maybe i just don't understand the terminology yet. Thank you

What do you mean by "those letters and numbers?". maybe I could help, if you tell me.


I have to agree with zona5101, you should find out exactly what your friend expects. Also, Valentines Day photos, I find, the ones that I have done for my friends, they usually ask "can it be with my girlfriend or boyfriend" - being the day of love and all.

I think your camera and lenses should be alright. I know, I use an Olympus with kit lenses, and I do just fine. I think you should be alright, if you read and practice before your friend gets there. It is also great that you have a tripod, I know that this has helped me immensely. A book that really helped me was "Portrait Photography - Secrets of Posing & Lighting" by Mark Cleghorn.

I think if you practice every day till the day you meet up with your friend - you should be ok. After you figure out what your friend exactly wants. Ask yourself and answer these questions (and anything else you can think of...), the more you ask (and answer) the easier the shoot becomes.

some questions i usually ask, are: what room will I using for the picture? or will be all over the house, apartment, ect...? are there natural lights in the room?ie, windows. if there are windows, practice and find the best time to shoot. will I be incorporating "other objects" in the picture? like having them hold flowers, or playing the guitar, or have them wear a hat... ect. are there objects in the room that can not be moved and need to be "incorporated" in the pictures... ie, couches, fireplace, dressers, beds, closets.

hope that helps

- Artaxx

[ceremus]

If it were me I would get an external flash and a reflector of some kind, either a dedicated white/gold reflector or something that can suffice as one like a foam core board. Then practice getting portrait shots using bounced light in various directions. To give you an idea...

[BolognaJPhotography]

Thank you so much for replying to my post. She wants a boudoir valentines shoot. Preferably on a bed, rose petals, lingerie..the usual valentines shoot. She will be the only subject as far as people. It will most likely be shot during the evening so natural light from windows wont be available..I'm on a tight budget and have read some articles about "home depot lighting" but they all say different things about what wattage to use, and also how to position them. My main concern is the lighting aspect, i don't want it to be too harsh of light, but i also don't want it to be too dark either. Hope that helps clarify some of what i'm looking for. Again thank you to all who have replied to this. I appreciate it so much.

[zona5101]

You can use "home depot" lights but they are hot and the light is very harsh unless you diffuse it. I would roll with what you have and make sure you turn on as many room lights as possible, bring in a few table lamps from another room if needed. Up your ISO, Use your tripod and have your model hold her poses. Inside you're going to be using the 18-55 mostly at the maximum aperture. or a stop down from that (f5.6 to maybe 8). Your shutter speeds are going to be long guessing, below a 1/60 to maybe an 1/8 of a second depending on light and your ISO but with a tripod you should be alright. If you elect to get a flood light or quartz halogen light, bounce it up into the wall/ceiling behind you - don't point it directly into the room. Good luck.