Can someone teach an old dog new tricks

[Newoldguy1977]

Ok guys, I have never been one to take photos of my models, however since being on this forum I'm inclined to because of the wonderful people here. So please help, i have no cluewhat i am doing wrong. I have a Nikon DS45 camera. Thanks guys, Jay

[geedubelyer]

Hi Jay. 

 

A couple of large sheets of paper and or thin card will help (Edit* Ideally a muted, neutral colour. Light blue, light grey etc. Something that won't upset your camera's metering system too much.) A2 or even A1 if you have space to store it. 

With that draped against a vertical surface you can avoid sharp corners behind your model. The gentle curve will smooth out the background and avoid distractions.

A good light source will help no end too. (Edit* some form of diffuser is wise so that the light is softer with less contrast. Folk have even used tissue paper but be aware of the heat given off by powerful lighting. You don't want to go up in flames )

Many photographers go for one either side of the model to avoid harsh shadows. 

 

Post processing can aid with cropping, colour temp/white balance and contrast etc. 

There are quite a few free programmes online. 

 

Edited February 16 by geedubelyer

[mozart]

Very sound advice there from Guy; lighting and post-editing are the two most important for me. 
 

 

A couple of minutes playing with your pic., this can be improved but it shows your fine model and your skills better to my mind. 

Edited February 16 by mozart

[LSP_Kevin]

One thing I use almost without fail is a tripod. This is especially useful if you don't have enough light, and need to increase your exposure time. Longer exposures require a steadiness that your hands are not generally capable of, otherwise you get a blurry image. A dark one can fixed somewhat in post, but a blurry one generally cannot!

 

Kev

[Newoldguy1977]

Ok, tripod ordered, how do you get the yellowish tint off rhe faces. I have been messing with Adobe but wow there's a ton of settings 

[mozart]

You need “daylight bulbs” in any lighting set up, normal lighting gives a yellow tinge. 

[Newoldguy1977]

Ahhh so my overhead lights are causing the yellow tinge. 

[mozart]

Yep! 

[LSP_Kevin]

It can help if you set the white balance on your camera to match the kind of lighting that you have. This can help compensate for any colour casts, and produce more natural-looking results.

 

Kev

[Newoldguy1977]

I'm doing something I should have done when I got the camera, I'm reading the manual. 😂