Ep 178: Fail proof portrait photography

 

In photography there are times when you can get fancy, bring out all your tricks, shoot wide open, slow shutterspeed, 20 lights, beauty dish, gels and so on.

The fancy tricky stuff should be done as folio shoots, when you have time to experiment or after you’ve done the particular technique and been successful multiple times (it then becomes second nature).

In this episode, Gina and Valerie share some of the most common scenarios newbies routinely struggle with when shooting portraits and their fail-proof alternatives.

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Show notes

In photography there are times when you can get fancy, bring out all your tricks, shoot wide open, slow shutter speed, 20 lights, beauty dish, gels and so on.

The fancy tricky stuff should be done as folio shoots, when you have time to experiment or after you’ve done the particular technique and been successful multiple times (it then becomes second nature).

With that in mind here are some of the most common scenarios newbies routinely struggle with and their fail-proof alternatives:

Simple profile pics

Fancy Shmancy approach

  • 4 lights
  • Reflector
  • Hard light that causes shadows
  • Backdrop
  • Coloured gels

Fail-proof or Nike approach (Just do it)

  • Garage lighting
  • Open shade + fill lash + soft light modifier like an umbrella or umbrella
  • box or softbox

Just do it

  • F 5.6
  • Focus on the eyes
  • Shoot long lens
  • Tripod
  • Check the background
  • Take your time
  • Eyes in the top third of the frame
  • Check sharpness
  • Check exposure
  • Simple authentic poses
  • Rinse repeat

Large Group Shots

Fancy Shmancy approach

  • Composites
  • Extravagant background
  • Mood lighting
  • Windows
  • Complicated poses ( Vogue or Vanity fair)

Fail-proof or Nike approach (Just do it)

  • Daylight (clean open shade)
  • 50mm to 70mm focal length
  • Spread everyone out
  • F8 min F11-16 best
  • Umbrellas or large octa for fill light
  • Shoot to tripod ( min 10 frames)

Children

  • Wide lens
  • Fast shutterspeed
  • Narrow depth of field
  • A quick shoot is a good shoot
  • Allow 5 mins
  • Burst mode

Events at night

  • High ISO
  • Focus on the eyes
  • Pop of flash

How to direct and pose like a pro

About Gina

About Gina

Gina Milicia is one of the most widely known and respected photographers in Australia. She is the master of capturing that ‘magical moment’... READ MORE

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