Portraiture
I wished to share my learning experience with you guys. I'm still trying hard to pick up the ropes on portraiture.
I've been joining portrait shoots for the past few weekends. Portrait photography (also known as Portraiture) involves a model posing with a background? No, it is more than that. It involves the expression of the subject, the mood with external factors like the lighting, the background and the photographer's composition. Put all these together and you'll have a beautiful portraiture. That is what I think.
For me, I like capturing candid shots of the model's expression. The real and natural expression, that is. I'll look into my viewfinder, press half-shutter and hope to captured the right moment. Of course, I don't always get what I want.
The eyes (windows to the soul), are what I focus on when I shoot. Sharp capture of the eyes with the refection of the flash on the iris is what I want to achieve for most of my compositions. I use indirect flash to obtain the reflection, even at outdoors. But too much light will cause over-exposure. That is why lighting is very important. =)
Portraiture composition is very subjective. We can't please everyone, that's for sure. I feel that as long I've captured the mood that I want to express in my picture,my objective is met.
I carry 2 cameras when I go for portrait shoots. (Nikon D40X & D300). Not that I'm a Pro, it is just that changing lens in the middle of the shoot can disrupt the mood and I might miss the shot I want. (In short, I'm lazy to change lens. haha...)
I use 2 lens for portrait shoots (because those are the only 2 I've got for portrait. =P), Nikkor 85mm f1.8 and Sigma 30mm f1.4. Fixed lens or better known as prime lens and that means I need to move a lot and if it is a group shoot, I might be blocked by other photographers as I need to stand a distance away from the suject to get the full body shot when using my 85mm. That's when my 30mm comes in handy.
You might ask, why don't I get a zoom lens that can cover both short and long distance. Well, it is simply because zoom lens with f2.8 and below cost a bomb. Take one of the lens in my wish list for example, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED cost S$2700. (I can buy another D300 with this amount =P). And of course, from the feedback I gathered from the pros, the effect of prime lens is better than zoom lens.
I will normally try to complete the editing as soon as possible while I'm still in the mood (i.e., the shoot is still fresh in my mind). (Strike the iron while it is still hot. =P ) I love to do editing and let my creative juices flow with PhotoShop. But franky speaking, I still have a lot more to learn. I've got to know a lot of professional photographers ( professional in their skills, not just those who do photography as a living) during the shoots. I really admire their work. Wonder when will I reach their standard?
I'll be embarking on Wedding Photography next. Wish me luck! =P
P.S. : Do visit my portrait site (urbanwalker.multiply.com)
Constructive comments and critiques are most welcome. Thank you!
I've been joining portrait shoots for the past few weekends. Portrait photography (also known as Portraiture) involves a model posing with a background? No, it is more than that. It involves the expression of the subject, the mood with external factors like the lighting, the background and the photographer's composition. Put all these together and you'll have a beautiful portraiture. That is what I think.
For me, I like capturing candid shots of the model's expression. The real and natural expression, that is. I'll look into my viewfinder, press half-shutter and hope to captured the right moment. Of course, I don't always get what I want.
The eyes (windows to the soul), are what I focus on when I shoot. Sharp capture of the eyes with the refection of the flash on the iris is what I want to achieve for most of my compositions. I use indirect flash to obtain the reflection, even at outdoors. But too much light will cause over-exposure. That is why lighting is very important. =)
Portraiture composition is very subjective. We can't please everyone, that's for sure. I feel that as long I've captured the mood that I want to express in my picture,my objective is met.
I carry 2 cameras when I go for portrait shoots. (Nikon D40X & D300). Not that I'm a Pro, it is just that changing lens in the middle of the shoot can disrupt the mood and I might miss the shot I want. (In short, I'm lazy to change lens. haha...)I use 2 lens for portrait shoots (because those are the only 2 I've got for portrait. =P), Nikkor 85mm f1.8 and Sigma 30mm f1.4. Fixed lens or better known as prime lens and that means I need to move a lot and if it is a group shoot, I might be blocked by other photographers as I need to stand a distance away from the suject to get the full body shot when using my 85mm. That's when my 30mm comes in handy.
You might ask, why don't I get a zoom lens that can cover both short and long distance. Well, it is simply because zoom lens with f2.8 and below cost a bomb. Take one of the lens in my wish list for example, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED cost S$2700. (I can buy another D300 with this amount =P). And of course, from the feedback I gathered from the pros, the effect of prime lens is better than zoom lens.
I will normally try to complete the editing as soon as possible while I'm still in the mood (i.e., the shoot is still fresh in my mind). (Strike the iron while it is still hot. =P ) I love to do editing and let my creative juices flow with PhotoShop. But franky speaking, I still have a lot more to learn. I've got to know a lot of professional photographers ( professional in their skills, not just those who do photography as a living) during the shoots. I really admire their work. Wonder when will I reach their standard?
I'll be embarking on Wedding Photography next. Wish me luck! =P
P.S. : Do visit my portrait site (urbanwalker.multiply.com)
Constructive comments and critiques are most welcome. Thank you!
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