I am extremely interested in photography and hope to one day have my own business. Unfortunately, even with my photography classes, I’m very limited in my knowledge of camera attachments such as different types of lenses and off-camera lighting. Are there any good resources to help teach the basics of this kind of thing? I’m interested in portrait photography in particular.

I currently have a Canon Digital Rebel xSI but am saving up for a 5D Mark II.

While looking at images other people have produced professionally with the same camera as mine, I noticed that it doesn’t even look as if the same camera produced those images, the image quality of there’s is MUCH better, like it could be in a magazine. This isn’t because of amateur faux pas on my part, I have even light and focus and basic photographer knowledge in that area, so why is it that the raw image quality of theirs looks stunning? Is it because of a different lens?

Thank you for your help!
I do have a very good eye and DO have talent, and I of course manually operate f-stop, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc. my images are properly exposed and framed, and are all touched up in Photoshop. However, I am working with the kit lens and am wondering what this other girl learned to make it look as though her camera is a 20 megapixal quality camera, as opposed to a 12.2.
I do have a very good eye and DO have talent, and I of course manually operate f-stop, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc. my images are properly exposed and framed, and are all touched up in Photoshop. However, I am working with the kit lens and am wondering what this other girl learned to make it look as though her camera is a 20 megapixal quality camera, as opposed to a 12.2.

Check out a battery grip, the vertical controls it gives you are awesome. I got mine on Ebay from some seller in Hong Kong for about $35 (I own a Rebel XSi as well). Also, for longer shoots, the extra battery power is quite nice.

If you’re only using your kit lens, you’re limiting yourself a lot. If you’re on a tight budget, look at the Canon 50mm f/1.8. It’s about $110, and optically it’s miles ahead of your kit lens. If you’re ready to invest a bit more into your business/hobby, get the 50mm f/1.4 instead. Optically, it’s better glass, and the build quality is far superior to the f/1.8. Also check out the 85mm f/1.8 for tight-in shots.

Don’t worry about getting a 5D Mk II just yet; get some quality EF-mount lenses first. That way when your business starts making you money, you can upgrade camera bodies as needed.

And… I’m glad that you’ve learned how to shoot Manually, that puts you miles ahead of most people who consider themselves "photographers." However, a 20 megapixel camera does not take any higher quality images than a 12.2 megapixel camera. Megapixels determine ONLY the size and dimensions of the photo, and have NOTHING to do with quality. Likely what you’re seeing with professional photos taken with the XSi were using high-quality lenses.

If you want to replicate an image like this, for instance:

You need to shoot for a few things:
-Shallow DoF (this is very easy to achieve using any of the lenses I listed above, you should know how)
-Good composition and posing
-Retouching (I used Lightroom; the "Skin Soften" adjustment brush does wonders for those who know how to use it)

Frankly, I think the biggest thing you’re not seeing in your photos is really soft, even lighting, and professional-quality retouching. Practice both of them.

Are there any books on taking self portraits using digital photography out there?

Nia,

I don’t think you need to pay for a whole book to learn how to take interesting self-portraits… Just Google it on the Web!

Here’s one example of what you can find if you look:

http://digital-photography-school.com/self-portrait-photography-tips

Hey Guys, Thankie you a lot for clicking on my question :]

First of all if you only have rude comments to make don’t say them at all it’s my life and I will choose what I want to do with it. Of course, CAREER WISE! lol so please understand that this is my choice not yours and simply answer the question don’t go all smart on me, telling me this is not a good career or why am I even thinking of this at age 13. I am sure about it :] Thankies!

So here is what is happening, I am 13 years old and I have my career picked out I am choosing photography, And I want to be experienced now at this age so when I am older and can actually have the education I need in photography to be/or almost be an expert in photography! I just bought the book "Digital Portrait Photography" by Steve Sint and I absolutely love it! I also already picked out my camera but I am not sure check it out tell me if it’s good recommend others if you’d like http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665980741

My house has 4 bedrooms and three living rooms but they are all in use is there a way where I can still have my photography studio?? ( I cant make another room I don’t own the house I rent)
So how can I build my photography studio at home?
How do I make it look nice and professional for customers?
What do I need for my studio to be complete? (as in equipment)
How do I stay organized with all of this? (Money,Customers,Appointment, etc.,etc.,etc.)
What are good prices for portraits?
What makes a photographer more money Landscape photography or Portrait photography?

If you sticked with me for the entire time thanks so much I really appreciate it, please take your time to answer my question bellow.

Thankies,
Vanessa<3

Does your house have a garage? If so, that’s where a lot of studio photographer’s start out – by converting a garage into studio space. If it doesn’t then consider doing mobile or location portraits using lightweight kit.

The camera model you’ve chosen is not the best for studio work because you WILL need external lighting. Sony is the only camera manufacturer that doesn’t use an industry standard hotshoe, so for starters you’d have to get an adapter and the model doesn’t have a PC sync cord for flash. I’d check out the entry level Nikon/Canon cameras before you jump in with this choice.

You need good lenses for portrait work – fast primes usually.

Lighting gear is essential – if you go as a ‘mobile’ studio, as I suggested, then getting a few cheap manual flashes (speedlights) some radio triggers, and light modifiers (softboxes, umbrellas) will give you the portability you need as they are battery, not mains based.

I shoot models both in the studio & on location with speedlight based lighting and it will be fine for what you are doing.

Before you start any of this though you need to learn how to use a DLSR properly. Portrait shots are rarely done in Auto modes – you need to be comfortable shooting manual and know the relationship between shutter speed, ISO, aperture & flash power inside out.

A good starting point for off camera lighting is the Strobist group;

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

At the risk of ‘going all smart on you’ as you put it, please listen to good advice. You are putting the cart waaay before the horse here discussing how your studio will look & what to charge customers before you’ve even learnt the basics. Slow down! Knowledge & skill in photography won’t happen overnight but you’ve got plenty of time to learn.

I’m extremely interested in getting into Digital Photography. I live in a sort of small town and I don’t really know how to get started. I have a Nikon L100 and I love that camera! I would love to possibly start my own portrait studio or something like that. But how could I get started and get myself promoted around town? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

One way is get some of your friends and take portraits of them and use the best picture on a flier and as bussiness to put it in there store and have bussiness cards also. Make sure you know how to do good portriats. A few bad pictures can hurt your start up. Also go to your church and do there church direcory and do it for free to the church. help chairitys out and for free things for them and you will be seen doing it and that can get your name out there. put a ad in the newspaper, just do what you need to to let people know you are out there and you are good they will find you. Get in the yellow pages also.

I was thinking on these cameras
- Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0012YA85A/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I13SUKAJK3U8HS&colid=SC5FYNJJT4RI

or
- Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-Digital-3-0-Inch-18-55mm/dp/B0035FZJHQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1SWC1LR6XR2LW&colid=SC5FYNJJT4RI

but which lens should I also buy with one of those cams?

What other equipment is the bare minimum for portrait photography, basic lighting kit right? what else?

I have the T2i and like it alot. But you’re going to need a better lens.

You can use a macro lens for portraits. For about $500 you can get the non-IS 100MM macro lens. It’s about half the price of the IS version.

As for lights, check into "The Strobist" website. There’s tons to learn about taking pics with flash. I would recomend taking pics for a year before you add flash.

One technique Art Wolfe uses is taking pics of people in doorways. That way the background is dark and they are well lit.

Those are my thoughts. Hope they help.

Julia

mainly for a first camera and for portraits and abstract pictures?

Are you sure it is a digital photography course? There are several students in my film photography class who thought it was a digital course.

It will be up to your instructor as to what type of camera you have to have. If it is a digital course, you will have to check to see if you need a DSLR or if a compact with advanced features like aperture and shutter priority will work.

I have always loved taking pictures of people/portraits and landscapes but, this time i would like to take photography seriously so, I want to learn a lot more, get ideas from people who are in the field. and also please recomend a gread book for digital photography. thank you

If you want to interact with people who are serious about photography you should try the following…

http://photo.net/

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

I’m looking for a movie/documentary that shows the ins and outs of photography, shooting with studio light, portraits, even fashion etc.

I’m NOT looking for movies ABOUT a photographer; I’m looking for instructional videos about the actual art.

http://www.digital1to1.com/Default.aspx?k=nelsonphotosupplies&v=Comp-Intro

http://www.studiolighting.net/category/photography-video-tutorials/

Im a senior in high school and im looking to buy my first digital SLR this summer. I have been looking at the Nikon D series and the Canon Rebel Xt and XTi……Im aminly interested in portrait photography/studio photography….I also wanted to know if the main differences between the prices of these cameras $600-$800 is because of the megapixels 6,8,10…? Also what is the best type of lense for portrait photography?
Looking to spend under $1,000

If you start off and have no equipment, I’d suggest the Canon brand. Both Canon and Nikon are fine cameras (I own a Nikon d70 myself). Nikon is more for sports/journalism and Canon for portrait. That is a wide generalization and both can do very well in either department. The price difference may be because of the megapixel count, the frames per second (3fps, 5fps etc.) and the overall quality and durability. The standard lens for portrait would be a 70-200. I like variable lenses because when I’m taking portraits, I don’t have to back up/get closer to frame the subject. You want to avoid wide angles (unless you want do to something fancy) and you don’t want to go too big a lens because you’ll be too far from your subject. Nice portrait shots have the background a little blurry, and longer lenses help that, and thats why 70-200 would be a good lens. Hope that helps.

I would love to start my own business doing wedding photography and offering portrait photography as well. I would love to hear how you started out if you have your own business, i really dont know where to start. I am at the stage where i am looking to buy a professional digital slr camera after coming to the end of my course using a 35mm film camera and i dont have a portfolio at the moment, any advice would be appreciated.

Use this basic checklist to make sure all the important steps are taken before you launch your new venture. This business checklist will make sure that you cross all your t’s and dot all your i’s before your business launch.

Steps to Starting a Business -

http://www.developer-resource.com/starting-a-business.htm

Other sites you might find helpful are:
SBA – http://www.sba.gov/
SCORE – http://www.score.org
Small Business Resource – http://www.small-business-software.net
Business Link – http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home

Goodluck!