Portrait Lover

[anants_550]

Name: Anant Singhal

Profession: Manager,Operations and Control

Equipment: Canon 550D, 18-55 IS and Canon T50 18-55 + Hanimex TZ3*36A Integrated twin flash

Favourite Subjects (of Photography): Street, Portraits

Intended Objectives: I basically want to learn how to take amazing portraits with my kit lens and then gradually move over to other forms.

Favourite Photographers: Diane Arbus,Guy Bourdin, Man Ray

A Little Background: I just bought my first DSLR, as I run a make up academy and need to take good pictures of the work done by our students. Always been interested, tried to click the Qutub Minar 3 years back after finding a Canon T50 in the closet.
I'm new to photography, trying to figure out the magic of aperture,shutter speed
and the million other things that affect a photograph.

Some of my work: Uploading the kind of work I'm more interested in learning :)

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af205/anantsinghal87/IMG_0821_1copy.jpg

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af205/anantsinghal87/IMG_0670copy.jpg

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af205/anantsinghal87/IMG_0793copy.jpg

[KrishnenduKes]

Welcome to thePhotographer.in Mr Singhal

This is not the place to critique, but I must say that your first two shots are quite stunning at first view. Though a lot more can be done to improve (as usual) like not have all that clutter behind the model in the first photograph. Which is why I prefer the second photograph more.

Interesting to learn that you run a make-up academy!

I am sure you would have quite a few interesting portraits and it would generate quite a bit of interest in the discussions here.

You mean to say you still have the T50?

[Cyclops]

Welcome to thePIN, Mr. Anant & have a pleasant stay!

Just a small suggestion - Get a 50mm f/1.8 for portraits, to convert the clutter behind into a fine bokeh. Also, try positioning the model in such a way as to avoid harsh shadows. And, use a diffuser/cloth to avoid highlighting the face/body of the model a tad too much.

[anants_550]

@Krish Glad you liked the first two images. And yes I have the T50 still and it clicks great pictures. Had found it in dad's closet, had hardly been used and stored well.
Regarding the background, the lighting at this place is slightly all over the place, I'll send you pictures so you'll know what I mean. That's why I keep moving people here and there to click. And have to learn a lot in Photoshop. Have googled and learnt a bit. But still to learn about touching up portraits.

@Cyclops Thanks. And regarding the lens, planning to pick up one soon after I get a bit better at photography. This is my first DSLR so didn't want to flatter myself too much.
Regarding shadows, I don't know much about lighting, and the place has awful lighting. Will need tips there.

[surya@64]

Welcome Mr. Anant, some nice portraits. Its this branch of photography where you dont need to travel much if you are established...rather models will Q-up to get their portfolios done. Unlike me I have to go where my models are and wait for them to pose....!!!!:):)

Invest in a L series lens which will serve you specific requirements.

Looking forward to some good portraits...Btw there are quite a few stalwarts in this field at TPIN. Their critiques will help to hone your skills.

Have a pleasant stay. Regards.

[anants_550]

Welcome Mr. Anant, some nice portraits. Its this branch of photography where you dont need to travel much if you are established...rather models will Q-up to get their portfolios done. Unlike me I have to go where my models are and wait for them to pose....!!!!:):)

Invest in a L series lens which will serve you specific requirements.

Looking forward to some good portraits...Btw there are quite a few stalwarts in this field at TPIN. Their critiques will help to hone your skills.


I'm only trying to click portraits so the prospective students of my academy can see what we can teach them. So I also have to be careful that it's neither about the model or the photographer,but only about the make up :)

Are you into fashion photography ? I know quiet alot of fashion photographers too. And models are always happy posing :)

L series lens, will google and find out what that means first :p

[KrishnenduKes]

L series is the top of the line EF lenses with extra-Low Dispersion elements in the lens. These lenses are to a great extent weather proof. But then one has to do some research because not all L lenses are worth the money. Some non-L lenses perform as good as their L-counterparts.

[anants_550]

L series is the top of the line EF lenses with extra-Low Dispersion elements in the lens. These lenses are to a great extent weather proof. But then one has to do some research because not all L lenses are worth the money. Some non-L lenses perform as good as their L-counterparts.

I don't even know what EF lenses are ! As I said I'm very new to photography :) But thanks for helping. Will post some better pictures in the critique section soon. Just figuring out a nice watermark for myself. Don't know if anyone is going to use my pictures anywhere but still !

[KrishnenduKes]

I don't even know what EF lenses are ! As I said I'm very new to photography :) But thanks for helping. Will post some better pictures in the critique section soon. Just figuring out a nice watermark for myself. Don't know if anyone is going to use my pictures anywhere but still !

The EF lens series comes with an electronic mount introduced in 1987 for ALL Canon cameras replacing the earlier FD mount.

Then you have the EF-S series that come for the crop factor bodies only.

Actually, maybe you can ask all these questions in the newbie thread.

[anants_550]

The EF lens series comes with an electronic mount introduced in 1987 for ALL Canon cameras replacing the earlier FD mount.

Then you have the EF-S series that come for the crop factor bodies only.

Actually, maybe you can ask all these questions in the newbie thread.

Thanks. Will finish reading online and then ask questions :) Starting a flicker album as of now.

[KrishnenduKes]

Thanks. Will finish reading online and then ask questions :) Starting a flicker album as of now.

Hope you managed to go through it without any problems.

[amby]

Well you have a make-up institute,if you take photography seriously from this point you can turn pro and do portfolio shooting(dont know exact term) for models,make up artists

get a 35mm or a 50mm,you have a great camera would prefer you a 50mm 1.4 for the silky smooth bokeh and would prefer you to play around with light.

To begin,dont invest into expensive strobe lights,take a table lamp put a piece of paper(how thick? depends upon the density of light you want)

just try out these stuffs!