New to photography - HELP!!

[tommykelso]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the photography scene.  I have no training or knowledge of the subject.  I bought a Sony Alpha A200 with the standard kit lense the other day which, after reading tons of reviews, seemed would suit me best.

I want to try and do portrait photography as there are a lot of children in our family so think it would be good.

Has anyone any tips on wat lighting to use, backgrounds, studio set-up etc, and best place to get equipment for cheap lol...

Any help or info would be brilliant!!

Thanks

[Analog6]

Welcome Tommy!  Read the articles in the site here, and have look in the galleries.  If you see a shot you'd like to imitate, ask the shooter what lenses etc.

And there are many online photography sites with tutorials etc.  You will learn as you go along.

For portraits, the good old 135 was the lens of choice.  With the 1.5x factor of digital , that means a bout a 90 mm lens is a good length for portraits.

Take lots of shots and see what works.

[tommykelso]

Thanks for your reply!

Yeah i'm just doin a lot of research and takin loadsa photos to see what works etc!

lovin the photography... sumthin i've always wanted to try so i just thought... why not??!!

[Tim N]

Yeah i'm just doin a lot of research and takin loadsa photos to see what works etc!

Thats the best way to improve ... just take lots of photos !
Post some of your efforts and people will give hints and tips to help you out as well ! Everyone here is friendly and supportive with their suggestions, trying to help everyone else improve !

[tommykelso]

Yeah thats what i'll do then..

I'll put up a few photos.  Mostly jus been snappin round the house getting used to the different settings.

anybody any idea's on where i can get lighting to start me off??  second hand would be fab thanks

[Cygnus]

You have a wide range of options with no real wrong choice. Outdoor settings can be quite nice although you have little control over light. For indoors, a plain white wall will be sufficient for most portraits.
Any lens from 50mm through 200mm will be acceptable. If you can get one a 2.8 lens that will be even better for indoor shots.

Photography is a lesson in patience.

[Tim N]

As for lighting ... studio lighting is quite expensive even 2nd hand .. for now I just use my hot shoe flash ... pop up flashes arent very good as they dont have much power ... also you can just use any lamps or directional desk lights or similar to throw light in certain directions ... you can then use your white balance settings to try and get the colours to come out as close to natural as possible or shoot in RAW and then you can have a lot more WB control in photoshop.

[Analog6]

You can get excellent portraits using window light and a reflector.  Different coloured reflectors (white/silver/gold)) colour the light differently. You can also try this outside but watch for deep shadows under the eyebrows, chin etc.  A piece of white paper held under the chin can help remove these shadows in daytim natural light  portraits.

Good 'pop'out circular reflectors that fold can be had on eBay - but be careful. Mine nearly knocked my nose off when I took it out of the case for the first time@

[tommykelso]

Thanks guys for your help!

There's a lot to take in when it comes to photography lol

[Tim N]

Thanks guys for your help!

There's a lot to take in when it comes to photography lol

And its NOT cheap either !!!

[tommykelso]

Ur rite, it's not cheap!!

[Mike]

Welcome to the forum Tommy, some good advice given to you already.

Mike

[admin]

Hi and Welcome to Light Art Tommy.

Straight off the bat, you have some great advice to start with. Everyone here is willing to share thier experiences and tips.
Critiques offered on your images are always genuine and aimed at helping to improve your skills and knowledge of the vast array of tequiques that can be used to bring your vision to reality and raise the snapshot to a new level.
As I have said here a few times. There are no strict rules, other than those you set, but there are some solid guidelines that will serve as a great base to start from. Look through the galleries, ask questions and post a few shots...Enjoy!

[que_sera_sera1102]

I also have little knowledge of photography. I have just bought a camera of Canon. It is made in Japan. It looks really modern and beautiful. But unfortunately, I don't know all the features of them. I am looking for a person who has broadened knowledge of it and tell me how to use it properly.

[Tim N]

I also have little knowledge of photography. I have just bought a camera of Canon. It is made in Japan. It looks really modern and beautiful. But unfortunately, I don't know all the features of them. I am looking for a person who has broadened knowledge of it and tell me how to use it properly.

What sort of canon is it ? There are a lot of canon users on this forum and I am sure someone here would have the same camera as you !

[misscatherine]

Yeah i'm just doin a lot of research and takin loadsa photos to see what works etc!

Thats the best way to improve ... just take lots of photos !
Post some of your efforts and people will give hints and tips to help you out as well ! Everyone here is friendly and supportive with their suggestions, trying to help everyone else improve !

yes.. I agree with you Tim N link

[aprillove20]

I agree that 90 mm lens is a good length for portraits.