129
votes
How can I create this 'medieval look' using an entry-level camera like the Nikon D3300?
I can see three very clear aspects that all three photos share, so let's concentrate on those.
Two can be done in camera, the third is a software process.
I didn't have time to costume a collection of ...
- 23.2k
121
votes
What can I do to get models to take my small camera more seriously?
At the sort of geeky/cosplay events you describe a good solution might be to wear a T-Shirt which addresses the issue. Here's an example I found with a quick search.
This should do a few things. To ...
- 879
52
votes
Why aren't faces sharp in my f/1.8 portraits even though I'm carefully using center-point autofocus?
You're not doing anything wrong. You're just finding the limits of the camera/lens combination you are using.
The EF 50mm f/1.8 (in various versions) has been known as the "plastic fantastic" for a ...
- 175k
43
votes
Should I horizontally flip a client's portrait?
If the lighting was asymmetrical and consistent between shots, then the lighting will be flipped as well and this might easily make the shot look simply awful or so awful its funny.
This may not be ...
- 541
41
votes
Accepted
What can I do to get models to take my small camera more seriously?
It's not the camera they have to take seriously: it's you.
Get past the shyness. You're all fans/reenactors together, you already have an instant bonding point. Appreciate the costume work they've ...
- 51.4k
36
votes
Why is this child portrait not compelling? What went wrong and what could have been done better?
In addition to what has been written (cropped feet), in my opinion the greed hedge in the background draws a lot of attention away from the child because it is so heavily saturated.
Since the ...
- 1,014
32
votes
Is an entry level DSLR going to shoot nice portrait pictures?
If you read the other answers, it should be apparent that the qualities you seek such as (a) better portraits and (b) the desire to have a blurred background ... aren't really one thing, but a ...
- 3,897
31
votes
Should I horizontally flip a client's portrait?
There are no hard and fast rules in art. You are free to follow your heart. If flipping some of the images assists in the symmetry of the final presentation, then go for it!
Few if any will recognize ...
- 38.7k
30
votes
What can I do to get models to take my small camera more seriously?
I'm going to throw lots of ideas at a wall and make them stick. But changing cameras because it doesn't look the part is wrong. Use what is right for you.
Start with an introduction, and offer to ...
- 4,864
29
votes
What can I do to get models to take my small camera more seriously?
The models are obviously seeking maximum exposure.
They'll assume the people with several thousands worth of camera gear on them will be selling/providing the shots to magazines, big blogs, etc. ...
- 411
28
votes
Why focus on the eye closest to the camera instead of the eye in the middle?
There's more depth of field behind the focus than in front of it. So focussing on the near eye gives you the best chance of getting the whole face in focus. If you can't do it focussed on the near eye,...
- 3,772
26
votes
How to make portraits look sharp with skin soft?
Nice work on the portrait. Some things that I notice are:
The wrap around her body appears sharper than her eyes - suggesting that the focal point was set in front of her. With portraits, you want ...
- 20.5k
23
votes
Why is this child portrait not compelling? What went wrong and what could have been done better?
The leaves in the background aren't an interesting part of the photo, and they're a bit of a distraction. Blurring the background by shooting at a wider aperture (smaller f-number) would turn the ...
- 31.7k
21
votes
Accepted
Why is this child portrait not compelling? What went wrong and what could have been done better?
The first and obvious problem is framing. Almost never do you want to put a small head in the middle of a large picture.
There is much space to the left of the child in the picture, but it doesn't ...
- 17.4k
21
votes
How to make a not so good looking person more appealing?
There are not "ugly" people. There is bad lighting.
Well, there are several things to consider. I am just making a list, but you need to take a dive into each of them.
1. Location
You can ...
- 24.1k
20
votes
Accepted
How viable is copy pasting a professional's settings so that a noob can produce high quality photos?
How viable are "photography templates" where a professional gives the
exact settings to use in a specific set up...to allow noobs to produce
high quality photos?
That sounds a lot like the "scene"...
- 31.7k
19
votes
Why is this child portrait not compelling? What went wrong and what could have been done better?
To improve your portraiture, try simplifying your composition to better focus the viewer's attention on your subject.
How? (No particular order):
Square yourself with the background. You are closer ...
- 1,040
18
votes
Accepted
How to fix bra strap marks... during production
Tell them to come back at the next available appointment time when they have followed the instructions you gave them.
Seriously. The only way to deal with this during production is to ensure it is ...
- 175k
18
votes
Accepted
Should I horizontally flip a client's portrait?
What I did in the end
Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. You all really helped me decide what to do.
Just to clarify, I wasn't aware that they wanted this before the shoot and they were ...
- 521
17
votes
Accepted
How can I achieve a light-painting portrait without the subject becoming translucent?
If you want the light painting to appear behind subjects without them being transparent, the subject has to stay in place for the whole exposure. So, obviously, somebody else has to do the painting ...
- 31.8k
17
votes
Which color filter do I use for a black & white portrait?
There is a really important diference if you are using film or is a digital photo. I will focus on Digital aspects but will give you an idea of what to expect with film.
The method I am using is ...
- 24.1k
17
votes
Portrait Lighting - why are my fill and rim lights overpowered?
Nothing at all against LightBender's calculations and advice, but the OP's question is about balancing flash and ambient light, which is a valuable concept to tackle.
Check out this great how-to on ...
- 181
16
votes
Accepted
how can I improve these portraits?
I. Recommendations while taking the photos
Please do not cut the feet. Define well where you are cropping. There is a recommendation to not cut on any articulation.
If you need to cut the feet, ...
- 24.1k
15
votes
Why focus on the eye closest to the camera instead of the eye in the middle?
Because the way human vision perceives a two dimensional representation of the three dimensional human face if the nearest eye is in focus it looks to us more like the whole face is in focus.
Even if ...
- 175k
15
votes
What can I do to get models to take my small camera more seriously?
I don't think it's about how people view your camera, it's about how people view you. If you're using an X-T2 and a 55/1.2 lens, it's quite enough for portraiture and the camera is capable of ...
- 151
14
votes
How to make portraits look sharp with skin soft?
Although I am no fan of the pandemonium which is full auto, your main problem seems to be back light, as the sun is behind your subject.
Note: Corey is absolutely right about everything - e.g. you ...
- 6,467
13
votes
Accepted
Why is the Tamron 90mm 2.8 marketed as Macro and not as a "portrait" lens?
Macro and portrait lenses are generally designed to do two different things that require different design characteristics.
Macro lenses are designed to focus at very close distances and they ...
- 175k
13
votes
What can I do to get models to take my small camera more seriously?
Other than adding a battery grip or flash, you can't really make the camera larger, so it seems to me that your best options are to either prevent your subjects from judging the camera, or challenge ...
- 31.7k
13
votes
Why aren't faces sharp in my f/1.8 portraits even though I'm carefully using center-point autofocus?
It might be best if you post an example image, but in any case, there are a few things to bear in mind.
First, shooting at such wide aperture provides very little leeway between the near and far ...
- 14.7k
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