Senior Pictures-NEED HELP!

[rhoraq]

A friend of mine was wanting me to take a simple head shot for the yearbook for her daughter. The only problem is I don't have a studio or lights or backdrops. The background just needs to be a solid color of black or deep navy blue just something solid and dark. Also I am very new to this. Is there anything I can do or get that's relatively inexpensive to use as a backdrop? And is this possible to take something like this without lights and a backdrop of anykind? I could probably use natural light coming in from a window, but can i make a reflector from scratch?! Just need help I don't want to disapoint! Thanks for any help given.

[private]

well, for the dark background you can hang a sheet on aon the wall and you can make a reflector. Go to the craft store and get one of those white foam boards - you have a reflector...

[Reflections by Scott]

You can always shoot outside, find a wall of solid darker color, keep the subject off the wall by 7-10 feet, set your aperature wide open so the wall will be out of focus to eliminate any imperfections.

Shoot as the sun is beginning to set, position subject with model facing away from sun, making an automatic hair light effect.

Cut the bottom off of a rubbing alcohol bottle (kinda milky color bottle) should slip right over any flash you may have, will lessen the harshness of the flash & still put a sparkle in their eye! (homemade diffuser)

Reflectors are easy, as mentioned before a piece of foam core, can be found at wal mart in the office supplies area (with posterboard) or even an aluminized car window shade, fold up for easy storage!

[rhoraq]

Thanks for all the info! Appreciate it!