Wanted: Tips for portrait work

[jjuk]

As photography is not currently a main part of my work and I would like it to be, I have been considering some options and one which I am keen to explore is portrait work.

I am looking for any tips anyone cares to share about venturing into this branch of photography, and specifically tips on equipment.

Lighting is going to be one main area I need to look at. As I dont plan to have my own studio at this stage, I need to know what would be a minimum lighting outlay to own? I need to keep it minimum for the moment to keep cost low and also for storage.

Any other tips welcome too.

Thanks!

[ekatsumata]

There are many options. If you don't plan on having a studio, then you'd want something more portable - consider some speedlites. If you'll have access to AC outlets, I hear the Alien Bees are pretty good - you can get a starter set with 2 strobes, stands, and umbrellas for around $500-600US. Try posting this question on the lighting forums at dpreview.com and photo.net.

[Ian Goodrick]

I am looking for any tips anyone cares to share about venturing into this branch of photography, and specifically tips on equipment.

Lighting is going to be one main area I need to look at. As I dont plan to have my own studio at this stage, I need to know what would be a minimum lighting outlay to own? I need to keep it minimum for the moment to keep cost low and also for storage.

I can't offer many tips about portraits but the equipment I can offer some help.

I would go for mains powered flash units, and 2 heads as a minimum.
Go for monoblocks where everthing is in the head and not in a seperate power pack.

Whatever brand you choose, ensure that the power setting can go LOW enough. I would say that almost all units will have enough power at the high end, but control at the low end is more important.

To start with brollies would be fine, if the budget won't run to softboxes.

I use Elinchrom had 500's since the late 80's then 600s units.

All manufacturers have roughly the same choice of units and reflectors etc, choice is what feels best for you, and price.

Ian

[Conrad Hill]

... I am keen to explore is portrait work.
.... I need to know what would be a minimum lighting outlay to own? I need to keep it minimum for the moment to keep cost low and also for storage.!

Pitching for business is the hardest thing!

Technically you can use the simplest set up of 1 light with attached brolly and a Lastolite reflector on a stand. For group pictures a bigger set up could be required although I once photographed 100 people on a staircase with the gear described below.

A Prolinca kit comprising 1 x 500 & 1 x 250 flashheads, 2 stands, 1 white + 1 silver umbrella. I also use a large round Lastolite white/gold reflector plus Lastolite stand adaptor along with a lighting stand to attach it. Sometimes I'll switch to a larger white Elinchrom brolly depending on if a softer light or bigger spread is needed. It virtually all fits in 2 neat custom kit bags which are kept in a bedroom cupboard. The Lastolite folds flat into its own bag.

Essentially, Prolinca is Elinchrom but a budget version. The limitation is that the lights are adjustable for full power or half. That's why I chose to include a 250 light rather than 2 x 500's. Interiors (depending on dimensions etc.) photograph fine with this outfit too and pics are perfect.

The other essential is a flashmeter. Mine's a Gossen F2 but I've used several including the cheapest imaginable and got the same results. Getting on with people is another essential I think, but I know photographers with almost no communication skills who get more work than I could ever aspire too.

Portraiture tips and hints requires a book and there's plenty around. An Amazon search will reveal them. Personally I wouldn't get too engrossed - just go out and do it.

Conrad

[sbatson]

I know this is a late post, but I just joined the group...maybe this will help someone.

I'm in the same boat as far as the need to keep cost and required storage space down...I have slowly been accumulating lighting equipment, but many of my shoots have been outside with a flash bracket, my Canon 420ex Speedlight with a softbox and a Canon 10D. Sometimes I don't use the softbox outside.

In anycase, using parks and various outdoor scenic areas, you can do quite a bit. Open shade is best, so I sometimes setup an appointment to do the shoot at a time of day where the sun is in a favorable position. A couple of reflectors to help bounce light into a dark spot, or to block it from someones face can work wonders.

The other thing to consider is, if you get to complex of a lighting setup, it's a big pain to carry around and setup not matter how portable it is. I have a background and 2 lights, softbox, etc...and on my last shoot I spend a few hours in setup and tear down for 30 minutes of shooting.

Some day I hope to have a studio, but until then, I'm trying to focus on outdoor and location portraiture...the up side there is, the portraits are more unique and much easier and time efficient to do since there is very little setup.

[ekatsumata]

I know this is a late post, but I just joined the group...maybe this will help someone.

I'm in the same boat as far as the need to keep cost and required storage space down...I have slowly been accumulating lighting equipment, but many of my shoots have been outside with a flash bracket, my Canon 420ex Speedlight with a softbox and a Canon 10D. Sometimes I don't use the softbox outside.

In anycase, using parks and various outdoor scenic areas, you can do quite a bit. Open shade is best, so I sometimes setup an appointment to do the shoot at a time of day where the sun is in a favorable position. A couple of reflectors to help bounce light into a dark spot, or to block it from someones face can work wonders.

The other thing to consider is, if you get to complex of a lighting setup, it's a big pain to carry around and setup not matter how portable it is. I have a background and 2 lights, softbox, etc...and on my last shoot I spend a few hours in setup and tear down for 30 minutes of shooting.

Some day I hope to have a studio, but until then, I'm trying to focus on outdoor and location portraiture...the up side there is, the portraits are more unique and much easier and time efficient to do since there is very little setup.

Welcome to the group. Just out of curiosity, how large is your softbox? I have a very portable softbox for my speedlite (around 6x8 inches), but find it to be too small for portraits. I used to have a couple of homemade softboxes that measure 36x36 inches and 24x24 inches that I used with my speedlites, but they weren't very portable so I got rid of them.

As for studios, have you considered renting? That is, if rental studios exist in your area (maybe in Sacramento?). Then again, if a client just wants portraits for personal use, then they probably won't want to pay those kinds of fees...

[sbatson]

Thanks for the Welcome!

I have a small softbox for my 420ex made by Wescott..it's a 5x8. It works very good for a soft fill....I really don't like harsh flash on the subject and you can't always bounce. For my portable setup, I have two larger softboxes 34x36 or something close ( I can't remember the exact measurements) and some umbrellas.

I haven't checked into renting studio space, though I need to and will be doing soon. Anyway, thanks for the response.

[mauiwedding4u]

As photography is not currently a main part of my work and I would like it to be, I have been considering some options and one which I am keen to explore is portrait work.

I am looking for any tips anyone cares to share about venturing into this branch of photography, and specifically tips on equipment.

Lighting is going to be one main area I need to look at. As I dont plan to have my own studio at this stage, I need to know what would be a minimum lighting outlay to own? I need to keep it minimum for the moment to keep cost low and also for storage.

Any other tips welcome too.

Thanks!

Thanks for providing such a wonderful information.