How can i take good portraits outside?

Question

I want to take a self portrait outside, i use self timer and whenever i do the pic never looks perfect.
I got a canon 400 D the other day so i now have a good camera but it still never looks perfect. any photography tips? thanks

Answer 1

Practice, practice, practice.
And have a good lens without distortion.
But even with the greatest camera and the greatest lens in the world, your picture won't be perfect. You have to have experience!
Do you use a tripod?
Also, practice to be photogenic with either a cheap camera which you can flip the screen monitor so you can see yourself while taking the picture. Or just a cheap camera will be better than a heavy camera (okay the 400D isn't that heavy but it is compared to those point and shot cameras). Why? Because you can hold it in your hand while taking the picture. That way, you can easily change the angle of the camera to become more photogenic.
Place a mirror behind your camera to see how you look. Examine yourself to see on which angle you look best.
Let the light hit half of your face and hold a sheet of paper on the other side to give you a beautiful tone.
Also, it is better to take a picture inside, near a window because it is hard to maintain your eyes open when the sunlight is hitting you outside.
Good luck! And practice, practice, practice. I know anyone can look good on a camera. And it doesn't have to be PERFECT huh? If it were wouldn't you be a pro?

Answer 2

Choose a slightly overcast day. One with indistinct shadows. The soft light is very flattering. You can also pose in open shade but be sure to use a Skylight filter to remove the bluish cast seen in photos taken in shade. I've read that a UV filter works even better but have never tried it.

Use a tripod and keep your ISO at 200 or less.

Use a fixed focal length lens that would be equivalent to 85mm to 105mm on a 35mm film camera. If your crop factor is 1.6, a 50mm lens would be the equivalent of an 80mm lens on a 35mm camera; a 58mm lens would be the equivalent of a 93mm lens on a 35mm camera.

The advantage of the fixed focal length lens over a zoom is speed - a larger maximum f-stop. The larger f-stop (f1.4 or f1.7) allows you to really throw the background out of focus. It also keeps your shutter speed higher so subject motion is less of a problem.

Back in the days of film cameras Canon offered an f1.2 50mm lens. I think they have one for your camera also. Now that would be a great portrait lens.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

something white, i've got used somewhat paper, foam-board, the cheap corrugated plastic board the valuables brokers use for their signs and indications, however the least perplexing is the collapsible reflectors, even the cheap one off eBay artwork properly. maximum of them can be used as diffusers (take of the reflective conceal and you have a diffuser). this is extra effective than a reflector while located between the sunlight and your project for softening shadows, think of of the them as transportable colour. you additionally can fire your flash via them, one among those damaging mans delicate-container. a number of them actual have a gold reflector as element of the kit which supplies warmer epidermis tones. Chris

Answer 5

make sure the lighting isn't too bright. Pay attention to the shadows cast on your face. Morning hours and evening hours are when the lighting is best.

Answer 6

Best bet is to use a shutter release and tripod very early morning or late evening....