Photography Tips

[MyNameIs]

I noticed there are some good photographers here, which is good. I was wondering if anyone had any good tips to make pictures (especially of people, but otherwise too) look more professional. Like lighting, etc.

 

[sasseestefanie]

Photoshop skin retouch

 

[miss artemis]

Flash usually makes the skin look greasy and ugly, specially in "normal people" pics (by that I mean no perfect models with makeup). I suggest you to always use natural light... It looks natural, adorable, smooth. It flatters most of the things. Inside natural light in a bright place (an apartment with white walls) is good for portraits.

When taking pictures of a family dinner, christmas, or an event (like your friends painting a big wall or people that got together) don't ask them to look when you take the picture. It doesn't look natural and you lose the essence of the moment... Pics are meant to get the image of whats happening, and when people just strike a pose, you lose the moment. But if you are in a party, it's ok to ask people to look and pose. It's fun to pose!

I'd love to talk more about photography tips but I really gotta go to sleep.. I'll be back tomorrow.

 

[styledlivingphot]

it really depends on how you use flash.

there are plenty of ways to use it to make your photos look stunning.

but the first step is to take it off the camera.

as for professionals, it just depends on how you want the photo to look. if you had examples of what u want, i could tell you what to do.

 

[Sweets]

reflector

 

[ChrissyM]

taking photos with black and white film is also great... black and white tends to be very forgiving in terms of skin etc... also looks great when using whatever natural light you have, and no flash

 

[miss artemis]

it really depends on how you use flash.

there are plenty of ways to use it to make your photos look stunning.

but the first step is to take it off the camera.

as for professionals, it just depends on how you want the photo to look. if you had examples of what u want, i could tell you what to do.

I think we are so not talking about professionals here. Flash (when well used) is fantastic. Even if you DO WANT to have that "dirty look" atmosphere you have to know how to use it. Knowledge comes with time and practice. Till there, no flash, please.

 

[styledlivingphot]

that's fine. try shooting in black and white for a while, either with film or with digital. digital may help in which you can compare a b&w picture vs color.

because when you shoot with black and white, you learn to see light, the way it falls, the way it warms and lightens a scene. plus, you don't need to be a professional to use lighting.

i know plenty of amateurs that shoot some absolutely stunning pictures.

 

[miss artemis]

i know plenty of amateurs that shoot some absolutely stunning pictures.

Our Photography! << take a look

 

[styledlivingphot]

been there. =) some great photos there too.

 

[_ladybug_]

can anyone recommend a good starter camera? I have a digital, but I doubt it has the necessary things, it auto focuses on you so you can't manipulate anything, etc. Thanks

 

[polka_dot]

^ Try taking a look at this thread. It doesn't look like it's been posted in in a while, but it's worth a shot. Hope it helps.

 

[_ladybug_]

thanks! - it doesn't have to be a digital, that's why I posted here, I would like to develop my own photos. But I'll definitely re-check that thread to see what digital ones they like

 

[fourboltmain]

Start here:

http://www.studiolighting.net/studio-lighting-tutorials/

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

 

[_ladybug_]

thanks *visits and bookmarks sites*

 

[Marie_Carmelle]

Is it better to have your own darkroom, or just to go to a pharmacy to ask them to develop the picture

 

[fourboltmain]

When I use 35mm, I just drop the rolls off at the local pharmacy and get a develop only, then use the negative scanner at home. When I use 120, I drop it off at the no-so-local photo shop, and they usually do it while I wait, except for black and white, that takes a 2 day turnaround. I'd rather develop my own, but I need to build cheap darkroom first.

 

[Mchunu]

reflector

do you have any advice on cheaper alternatives than actual gold reflectors that can be actually quite expensive?

 

[BetteT]

I do ... just take some carboard and cover it with alluminum foil ... it's not gold, but it's a great reflector. Even white foam core works as a softer reflector ... great for holding just below the face in close ups. And then ... there are these things that you buy to put in you car windsheild when you park in the hot sun ... sun screens (the silver side normally goes to the outside to reflect the sun away from the car) ... that are made from reflective cardboard or sometimes silvery fabric on an metal frame that twists and closes ... those work fairly well too and are way less that pro reflectors. Again, they don't come in gold ... but silver works very well in late day sun that is already gold.

 

[Mchunu]

^never thought of that! thanks BetteT!