Photo Advice

[Ultra Magnus]

I've got my first gig. Well, it's not really a gig but it feels cool to call it that

A friend of ours asked us to do a family photo for them. She is tired of the Sears photo that they usually do annually and want to do something outdoors. I'm a little unsure, being that someone else's satisfaction is riding on it. It seems Sunday at 6:00 will be the time to do it, the only other opportunity to get everyone together at one time would be mid-day and I'm leery of shooting in mid-day light. I don't yet have an external flash either, and I don't know how many poeple or going to be in the shot, so the effectiveness of my built in flash is also a concern. If it matters I'll be using my Sony F828 and probably my rickety wal-mart tripod if needed.

Thanks.

[Axle]

Hey Congrats on your first gig!

I would think that Sunday at 6:00pm, you wouldn't need a flash, just have to pick a nice spot and use the avalible lighting.

[Ultra Magnus]

You don't think I'd need fill flash for the shadows? What direction should the people stand in relation to the sun? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want the sun directly in front or behind them.

[berrywise]

By six o'clock the light should be coming in at a nice angle. Find some nice light shaded areas in a park or find something that would be a nice scenic backdrop for a family photo. I always like to try and think ahead some of the poses so that I seem more professional when you are working with them. Scour the web a little bit and you'll get some ideas on what looks good and what doesn't. Maybe they have family interests that could play into the photograph?

I wouldn't worry about the fill flash. Go with what ya got.

[another view]

If you had a flash to use as a fill, then putting them with their backs to the sun would work out really well. But since you don't, just watch how the light falls on them. Also make sure that someone doesn't create a shadow on the face of the person standing next to them. If the light is directly in their eyes, they might be squinting which doesn't look good.

If you get the opportunity, take someone out (better yet two people) at about the same time and practice. Just look at the light you've got and if it looks good (and isn't too contrasty) it'll probably photograph well.

On the other hand - if it's overcast the time of day really won't matter... Flash would be good again here, but flash and digital cameras takes some practice to figure it out. I wouldn't get one and try to learn it by Sunday!

[Ultra Magnus]

Thanks for the advice. My biggest concern was having a group of squinting people with dark shadows on their faces!

It'd be awesome if the sky was cooperative, and maybe there will be enough shade to make it all work out.

I don't sweat taking picuters for myself because if they don't turn out, I really don't lose any sleep over it. I'd hate for our friend's family to be dissapointed with this picture. I don't know how you wedding photographers do it, especially for the first time. That's a pretty important event that you can't re-shoot if you screw it up.

[another view]

The best thing might be slightly overcast light - enough to give you a little softness but also some directional quality. I've heard it called "Steve McCurry Light" because that well known photographer prefers it.

But you have to take what you get. Where are you meeting them? You might want to look at the place at about that time of day and a clear sky (worst case scenario) to get ideas how the light looks and where you might want to put people to get the best results.

My first advice is probably more important if you can't bring a person or two to this place beforehand. No matter where you can practice, it's best to do just that to know what works and what you're looking for.

[Lionheart]

A rickety walmart tripod is fine. If you have an onboard flash for flash fill, that should work well ( the light at 6 pm should be really nice and golden if the weather cooperates.). Bring reflector for ambient fill light (an assistant to help would be great). If you don't have a reflector, a good large 20x30 foam core board does nicely (that's what I used in the early budget years) and is readily available at office max or office depot and is relatively cheap.
The biggest thing is preparation-scout ahead, know what basic poses you want to start with. This is important in order to be relaxed with your subjects at the time of the shoot, otherwise, if you're tense, chances are they will be too. Just my two coppers of course-I'm not a pro either, and like you I get asked to shoot family portraits and events (which unfortunately I usually do free). Good luck, and most of all, enjoy, relax, have FUN. The best photo shoots are when you and your subjects are having fun together.

[Ultra Magnus]

Thaks again. I will try to find out where they want to do it and make a trip out there in advance. The reflector idea is goo too. I'll see what I can come up with.