Outdoor Portrait Advice Needed

[photophorous]

Hi Everyone!

I need some outdoor portrait advice. A friend of a friend asked if I can take some portrait shots of her and her dog in the park. Some will be head and shoulders only, and others will include the dog. I've done a lot of reading about lighting and portraits in general, but I've never actually had someone pose for me. I've only taken candids. I have a few specific questions, but I'm open to any advice you want to offer.

I'm considering buying a reflector...maybe the 5 in 1. Is a reflector useful in the shade or on an overcast day? (I plan to avoid direct sun.) Is there any difference between gold and silver, when using B&W film? How big does it need to be for full length shots? I want to reserve fill flash as a last resort...I think.

Do you have any advice for posing a woman with a dog? I've read general guidelines for posing people and pets, but not both together. It's a medium sized dog...too big to hold.

About equipment. I have a 35mm SLR with two lenses (28-105mm, f3.5-4.5, and a 50mm, f1.8) and a Yashica TLR (80mm lens). I plan to use the long end of the zoom for the head and shoulder shots, but I will probably use both the 50mm and the TLR for full length shots with the dog. Does that sound like the right thing to do, given my options?

Thanks for your help. I know this is long, so thanks for even reading it.

Paul

[cyberlord]

Paul,

I'd recommend keeping the dog and the girl at the same level. It will mean the girl has to get on the ground or the dog has to get on a picnic table, bench, or whatever. I don't think a full length shot of the 2 of them together would make a good portrait. There are always exceptions tho.

Do a google image search for "girl dog" and "girl dog portrait" and take a look at some of the poses. Don't forget to look at the paintings too for ideas. There are some ugly stock photos out there too, and I'm sure U can do better than those.

As for the lighting, avoid harsh direct sun and a reflector or two would be good for fill light. Got a partner to help with fill light? Maybe she has a friend that is willing also.

Finding a shady spot with a decent background might be tricky. If you can, a portable screen/diffuser can be moved to where the great backgrounds are and provide your diffused light.

Try early morning and late afternoon light too.

I take it you are using film. Nice thing about digital is U can experiment and fool around with different things and get an idea of the results upon leaving the session.

As for the dog, exercise it before the session or it may want to go and run around instead of sit still. Also a well fed dog is more content and will want to settle down. Don't forget to bring water for all of you (dog included). Make an afternoon out of it and shoot last when the dog is tuckered out and fed.

Even if you can't spend the whole afternoon out there, have your friend exercise the dog and meet them afterwards.

Hope this helps some,

Tim

[photophorous]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the response.

Do you have any advice about which color or size reflector to buy/use? I'll be using B&W film. I've never used one before and I won't have a chance to test it out before I do the shoot, but I will have one assistant.

That's good advice about exercising the dog and keeping the dog and the girl at the same level. I'll keep this in mind when I'm scoping out the parks this weekend. I plan to find a shady spot in the late afternoon. There's a good chance it will be overcast...it's that time of year here.

Thanks again!

Paul

[cyberlord]

Do you have any advice about which color or size reflector to buy/use? I'll be using B&W film. I've never used one before and I won't have a chance to test it out before I do the shoot, but I will have one assistant.

Paul,

With B&W I don't think the color of the reflector will matter too much, and for close-up shots I'd say 24-30". 36" would be almost to big for close up, but you could use it. I've seen 48"x96" used for full length shots.

U could even use home made reflectors, plain white stock posterboard or covered with crumpled aluminum foil.

White bed-sheets make decent diffusers as well as reflectors too. You can strech them on a homemade wooden frame.

Tim