• Your “studio” can be a table, countertop, floor, or any surface that allows you to arrange your subject. It should have ample amount of natural light (diffused) and have enough room to allow you to add light and reflectors as needed.
• Tripod, extra light sources (see below) shutter release (or shutter delay feature on your camera)
• Your subject. For practice it can be just about anything that will sit still!
• Look at your subject from all angles, paying attention to shadows coming from the subject or being cast onto the subject.
• Look at your subject through your camera lens from different angles, heights and distances. Paying attention to the same things listed above.
• Take a bunch of shots and dump them to your computer. Delete the ones you dislike. Pick your favorite shots and study them. What angle, height, and distance did you shoot from? (a notebook works great here!)
• Critique them for lighting. Would it help to add light from any angle?
• Repeat this process at different times of the day to change natural light or add or subtract light with camera flashes (off the camera set to slave mode), desk lamps, flashlights, etc. ()Don't be afraid to try different lights!) Use household objects to reflect light – White dinner plates, sheets of paper, aluminum foil, etc…
• Take more shots with added light, reflectors and angles. Dump them to your computer and critique them. The beauty of Digital Cameras is that you are limited by memory storage only! Pick your favorites and delete the rest!
• Last thing to remember is to remember! Remember the setup that works best for you and use it again!
I know you've been uber busy, but you need to update! You have great tips to share!!
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