AboutMartin Seymour Expertise I have worked in most aspects of still photography, using film and the wet process for 50 years. Employing all film formats 35mm to 8x10 sizes, I went over partly to digital cameras in 02, also PC editing of pictures.
I still find film work more demanding , as you have to get it right at the start with no auto settings on the camera to cover my mistakes.
Pictorial work is my personal interest.
Its is not a good idea for me to suggest a particular make of equipment just a type, and its uses.
Experience
Past/Present clients Ricardo eng. watercraft, IBM
100,000 members of the public.
Expert: Martin Seymour Date: 4/18/2006 Subject: SLR Photo Shoot Saturday
Question Hi,
I have a Canon Rebel XT with the 18-55mm lens and I recently purchased a 430EX attachable flash. Although I did not get the opportunity to do many fashion photo shoots or senior photography shoots at school, I still gained some experience. Additionally, I am currently taking a SLR class through IUPUI to learn how to effectively use my camera.
However, I do have some questions for you concerning a shoot I tentatively have scheduled for Saturday. I am supposed to be shooting two models with a painted mural as a backdrop in downtown Indy. The mural is very colorful and I will be able to stand at the most 8ft back from the wall due to a fence that stretches parallel to it. I think by the time I get ready, it will be 7:30 and the sun should be rising. But I hear that it will be somewhat overcast this Saturday.
Right now, I'm thinking that I want the models as clear and sharp as possible. It would be nice to see the mural behind them, but it does not need to be nearly as sharp and clear as I need the models to be. I am thinking about shooting in P mode with the flash attached and using a tripod to get full body and close up shots (I'll probably be about 7ft back). I will adjust my white balance for cloudy and depend on my automatic exposure to determine my best shot. I have also considered shooting in Av mode with an aperture of 5.6 or 8 and the attached flash.
Are there any recommendations that you would make as far as what mode I should possibly shoot in or what techniques would work well in this situation. Obviously if it rains, will have to reschedule, but I think I will have enough ambient light. I will also have a soft box attached to my flash.
Also, I have a question regarding photo size and memory cards. Where is the cheapest place to get a memory card? Regarding photo size, what size would be best for saving these photos and working on them in Adobe without lowering image quality? How should I do this…maybe just adjust the image's pixel size in Adobe after I take them off my camera.
Thanks for any help you can give me!
Regards,
Donald
Answer Hi,
I have a Canon Rebel XT with the 18-55mm lens and I recently purchased a
430EX attachable flash. Although I did not get the opportunity to do many
fashion photo shoots or senior photography shoots at school, I still
gained some experience. Additionally, I am currently taking a SLR class
through IUPUI to learn how to effectively use my camera.
However, I do have some questions for you concerning a shoot I tentatively
have scheduled for Saturday. I am supposed to be shooting two models with
a painted mural as a backdrop in downtown Indy. The mural is very
colorful and I will be able to stand at the most 8ft back from the wall
due to a fence that stretches parallel to it. I think by the time I get
ready, it will be 7:30 and the sun should be rising. But I hear that it
will be somewhat overcast this Saturday.
Right now, I’m thinking that I want the models as clear and sharp as
possible. It would be nice to see the mural behind them, but it does not
need to be nearly as sharp and clear as I need the models to be. I am
thinking about shooting in P mode with the flash attached and using a
tripod to get full body and close up shots (I’ll probably be about 7ft
back). I will adjust my white balance for cloudy and depend on my
automatic exposure to determine my best shot. I have also considered
shooting in Av mode with an aperture of 5.6 or 8 and the attached flash.
Are there any recommendations that you would make as far as what mode I
should possibly shoot in or what techniques would work well in this
situation. Obviously if it rains, will have to reschedule, but I think I
will have enough ambient light. I will also have a soft box attached to
my flash.
Also, I have a question regarding photo size and memory cards. Where is
the cheapest place to get a memory card? Regarding photo size, what size
would be best for saving these photos and working on them in Adobe without
lowering image quality? How should I do this…maybe just adjust the image’
s pixel size in Adobe after I take them off my camera.
Thanks for any help you can give me!
Regards,
Donald
Hi Donald
You seem to have things pretty well covered, and certainly on the right track.
There is nothing like experience and lots of practice. As to the back ground mural being in or out of focus (differential focusing) this lens will have quite a lot of depth of field as it is quite a short focus lens (they go together) so you may have to open up to max aperture to gain the affect that you are after. May I suggest that you do some tests at home.
Mark out with suitable object the distances that you have mentioned and may be put a magazine on the wall in the background to simulate the mural, then do several shots at different APERATURES (A -SETTING!) not P.
I think you will be surprised at the results!
Never liked flash on the camera shots -- poor mans lighting, why not setup the main light at right angles to yourself or the opposite side to the sun and use a fill in only on the camera! But do some test first!
Cannot recommend purchases, as I am 5000 miles away.
Regards.
Martin.
