BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Informative Topics on Photographing People

Photography Question 

Adrienne I. Brand
 

Beach Portraits


I'm going to shoot a friend's family on the beach this weekend (digital, but in BW), and I've been doing some research. This is some of the advice I'm going to try to follow. Am I missing anything?
Protect the camera. ISO around 200. Keep an eye on DOF. Take shots toward the dunes as well. Watch the horizon. Polarizing and/or UV filter. Exposure bracketing. Spot metering. Fill flash when needed.
What color clothing is best? Someone here at BP said red, but the mom wants BW photos. Should I shoot in color and convert in PS or shoot BW photos straight-away? I also have a 52"-round diffuser - should I bother to bring it or will it blow me away?
Thanks!
~ Adrienne


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June 25, 2007

 

Adrienne I. Brand
  Ooh - forgot these:
I'll have my lens hood with me too. I'm going to ask the family to not wear patterns. And I will tell them to bring any simple props as needed (pail/shovel). I might bring seed/bread to lure in some seagulls. What's the best for white balance? A friend loaned me one of those new gadgets. Thanks again!


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June 25, 2007

 

Christopher A. Vedros
  I'll pick out a few of your points to comment on.
- If you are using a digital camera (which you are), you should ALWAYS shoot in color and convert to B&W on the computer. They may see the color images and love them. If you shoot in B&W, you are limited to B&W.
- Your lens hood should definitely be used.
- Set your white balance to Auto or Daylight - don't waste time with a white balance gadget.
- I would advise against the seagull idea. The people are your subjects - don't detract from them. Also, seagulls don't take posing directions well. ;-)
- I've seen lots of beach portraits done with khaki shorts and white shirts, or denim shorts and white shirts. I don't think the color of the shirts matters that much, as long as all the subjects are coordinated. I always ask clients to avoid wearing any shirts with words on them. I just don't like seeing that in a portrait.
- If the 52" diffuser is a reflector, it may be handy if your group is not large, and you have an assistant to hold it. Otherwise, don't bother.
- What time are you planning to shoot? Morning and evening are better for avoiding harsh shadows in eyesockets. No amount of fill flash will help you on a bright beach at noon.
Chris A. Vedros
www.cavphotos.com


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June 25, 2007

 

Adrienne I. Brand
  Oh - thought I put that in there. I scheduled them for 10 AM cause I figured if the weather is bogus, we can return around 4 and try again. What do you think?

Thanks for your help!

~ a


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June 25, 2007

 

Christopher A. Vedros
  I would start earlier than that. Unless you're in a place that is usually foggy and hazy in the morning, you should have plenty of light by 9 AM. If you schedule for 10, then someone runs late, allow some time for setup, shoot multiple poses, etc., you'll end up with the sun quite high in the sky.

Of course, I'm in the deep South. The timing may be different on Long Island. You can look outside at 10 AM to see how high the sun is there to get an idea of what your shadows would be like.

Good luck,
Chris A. Vedros
www.cavphotos.com


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June 25, 2007

 

Adrienne I. Brand
  That makes complete sense - I'll tell them 9 AM and "shoot" for the best.

Thanks again - this has been a great help. (If you think of anything else let me know!)

Maybe I'll post a few results?

~ Adrienne


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June 26, 2007

 

Amy L. Buckenmayer
  Hey Adrienne,

First, I would avoid shooting anytime between 10:30 - 2:30 on a sparkling sunny day to avoid extreme highlight blow outs in the sky and on your bride. It also can produce the harshest shadows on your subject. If you have a light reflector and a willing friend, you can channel the sun and bounce light where you want it. Light in the early morning and late afternoon is the warmest and will make a HUGE difference.

Second, you mentioned exposure bracketing which is going to come in SO handy when trying to get your bride's whites white and any blacks black. Watch your histogram, and shoot up a stop and down a stop to be completely sure the whites don't come out gray.

Finally, one of the greatest things I have ever been taught: When shooting people always use your AF and focus on their eyes. If you use the eyes as the focal point, it will be the sharpest part of the photo and completely draw the viewer in.

Best of luck and HAVE FUN!
Amy Buckenmayer


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June 29, 2007

 

Rom A.G.
  What the mom wants today, is not what she will want tomorrow. Better to shoot color and convert to b/w.
In bright sun light use ISO100, f/8, 1/200.
When Sun is down, ISO200-400.


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June 29, 2007

 

Adrienne I. Brand
  I think nerves definitely plays a big part in it! Even though I've known the family forever, I was still nervous!

The sun was ridiculous - that time of day was impossible to shoot.

The seaweed on the beach also threw off the exposure because it was so dark!

Here's a link to one of the photos:


http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGallDetail.php?photoID=4218794


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July 17, 2007

 
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