Iv never shot portraits before, any tips for shooting 2 brothers

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,307
106
106
Iv never shot portraits before, any tips for shooting 2 brothers

Im not big into shooting people but a friend of mine is shipping off to boot camp (USMC) in 14 days and he asked me to take a couple of shots of him and his brother

Im planing on doing an outdoor shoot, any tips? Any ideas as to how I should set them up?

Thanks for any tips,
Alfa147x
 

randay

Lifer
May 30, 2006
11,018
216
106
tag along while they go do something they enjoy doing together and just take pics of it.
 

ivan2

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2000
5,772
0
0
www.heatware.com
step-brothers.jpg
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
All good advice and sample. Aside from lighting, get close - fill the frame with heads and shoulders
 

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,307
106
106
Make it about the brothers. Get to know them.

Done! Know both of them since 2nd grade (12 years!)

All good advice and sample. Aside from lighting, get close - fill the frame with heads and shoulders

Thanks will make sure to do that!

tag along while they go do something they enjoy doing together and just take pics of it.

Really don't have time for that, have about hour including commute
But thanks!

Light from above and to the side. Don't be afraid to spread them out.

Thanks, this is going to be interesting since it's outdoors and I only have one flash with me!


Thanks everyone, keep the advice coming in!
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
Just one more since you plan to shoot outdoors. Use a short depth of field - with the idea of focusing on the faces, primarily the eyes, and fuzzing the background scene (bokeh).
 

twistedlogic

Senior member
Feb 4, 2008
606
0
0
Thanks, this is going to be interesting since it's outdoors and I only have one flash with me!

One is greater than zero, :). You can use the sun as the main light and use the flash for fill, should work great.

You could also purchase some White Foam boards, line with foil/silver or gold wrapping paper and use as a reflector.

alfa147x said:
Im planing on doing an outdoor shoot, any tips? Any ideas as to how I should set them up?

Stay away from direct sunlight. Put them in the shade if you can.
 

angry hampster

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2007
4,232
0
0
www.lexaphoto.com
Study other peoples' portrait work. Check out the "People" and "Kids and Family" sections here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=6

I'm not saying copy other artists, but you can get a general feel for some ideas and then spin them your own way.


Most of all just have fun. My first engagement shoot was so nerve racking. Now I just got out and have a blast with the couples, and the photos reflect that.