Natural Light Portrait Camera Settings Advice

[mromero]

I have a Nikon D90 and I would like to get some advice on what settings I should be using when shooting portraits in Natural Light. I have a 50mm f1.4 lense that I like to use for portraits.

Thank you and any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Rson]

depends on the surroundings

[mromero]

@ a park or beach

[texxter]

Maria, welcome to TPF! I like your last name!

I have done quite a bit of natural light portraiture, so feel free to PM if you have specific questions about a particular situation or requirement.

Here are some basic principles I posted in another thread.

Good luck!

[mromero]

LOL! Thank you!

Not very many Romero's in Texas .. Cool!

I will check it out. I am just a bit confused .. I am totally an amateur but love photography and would like to learn more but there are just tons of books, blogs, websites, etc etc .. a few photographers tell me its best to shoot in Manual Mode and others in Auto - So I don't know, plus I am still learning my camera settings but wanted to get an idea of where to start so I can play with camera settings a bit more. There are just tons of things to consider .. fstop, shutter speed, exposure, metering .. ahhh you see what I mean .. lol

[texxter]

And here are some images I have posted where I used natural light:

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...al-images.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...orful-art.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...05-alexis.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...-full-sun.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ely-woman.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...my-dreams.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...y-outside.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...dow-light.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...here-none.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ral-light.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...shots-c-c.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...tle-flash.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...-homework.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...-portrait.html

[texxter]

Maria, pick up a copy of "Understanding Exposure" - it's a great book and will help you quite a bit.

Edit - YouTube can be a good resource if you're a visual learner, there are tutorials out there, do a search.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by texxter

Maria, pick up a copy of "Understanding Exposure" - it's a great book and will help you quite a bit.

+1. Great book!

[WarrenG]

+2 on a great book, and just to add that "natural light" does not mean that it has to be devoid of modification. A good 5 in 1 reflector might be a great tool if you are not already utilizing one.

W

[mromero]

Thank you! I will check out that book as well. One more to add to my collection of photography books.

I have a white, gold and silver reflector but no assistant however, I will try that next time.

Thanks again.

[revjvegas]

Originally Posted by mromero

.. a few photographers tell me its best to shoot in Manual Mode and others in Auto...

Listen to the ones telling you to shoot in Manual. :-)

Or at the very least, aperture or shutter priority mode.

Here's another good resource:
Stop Shooting Auto!


Enjoy the new D90.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by mromero

LOL! Thank you!

Not very many Romero's in Texas .. Cool!

I will check it out. I am just a bit confused .. I am totally an amateur but love photography and would like to learn more but there are just tons of books, blogs, websites, etc etc .. a few photographers tell me its best to shoot in Manual Mode and others in Auto - So I don't know, plus I am still learning my camera settings but wanted to get an idea of where to start so I can play with camera settings a bit more. There are just tons of things to consider .. fstop, shutter speed, exposure, metering .. ahhh you see what I mean .. lol

Get a copy of "Understanding Exposure," put your camera on Manual, and learn the Exposure Triangle (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed), and how each one relates to the others. Once you have grasped this, then start playing with Aperture-Priority (Av) and Shutter-Priority (Tv). Believe me, once you learn how to control and make exposures, you won't need the Auto and Program modes again (I never shoot in those modes). Most of all, have fun with it! That's what photography is all about for me personally.

[mromero]

Will do !!! Thank you all!!