Need tips for Portrait Photography

[JustinKnauss]

I recently bought my first DSLR, Canon 400d w/ 50mm f/1.8 lens, and need some help to take good portraits. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

[Dream Merchant]

Google searches like 'secrets of portrait (p) photography', 'basics of p photography', 'how to take great p', understanding light for p photography', 'using flash for p photography' etc etc etc...

TONS of material out there, but the best is to focus on understanding light, and composition.

[ZerocoolAstra]

if you use the 50mm f1.8 lens, and take a portrait at close range (subject fills almost the whole frame), using f1.8 the depth of field is very short. Even the entire head can't be in focus. But as long as the eyes are in focus, the portrait looks very pleasing. I dunno... that's just my opinion from my trial and error

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by JustinKnauss I recently bought my first DSLR, Canon 400d w/ 50mm f/1.8 lens, and need some help to take good portraits. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

I'm also using my 50mm to take portraits now though. Tips? U'll also need an external flash, diffuser and reflector.

[flipfreak]

Originally Posted by JustinKnauss I recently bought my first DSLR, Canon 400d w/ 50mm f/1.8 lens, and need some help to take good portraits. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

practice, practice and practice. stick with the basics and keep shooting. good luck!

[calebk]

The importance is in the eyes. If the eyes are out of focus, you lose impact.

[gsv13]

I feel understanding lighting and making good use of it makes photography much more intresting.

I would say one should review every snap and work on to improve.atleast give a thought if it could have been better .

There are few thumb rules which you can get from do's and don't's ...don't waste time in re-inventing things.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by calebk The importance is in the eyes. If the eyes are out of focus, you lose impact.

true.. yet not true

link
link
link
link

and how can we forget
link

[peapilot]

Put down that photography guidebook, get off the internet, and head out of the house. Talk to everyone and anyone that interests you. Find out what it is that makes them tick, get under their skin, step into their shoes. Then take that camera out and shoot away.

[catchlights]

You can find all you want at HERE!

[gsv13]

hey dude some of them are quite good.thanks never explored such video's

Originally Posted by catchlights You can find all you want at HERE!

[calebk]

Originally Posted by night86mare true.. yet not true link link link link and how can we forget link

Cool stuff!

Oh you forgot summer's hat photo, posted by Ah_K.