in need of help

[Jon-E2]

So i have always enjoyed photography but never would consider myself a pro by any means. Anyway. Some friends asked me to do some senior photos for them. I have a Nikon D-50 with a tameron 28-80mm lens and a nikon DX 55-200 mm lens. I know its probobly not the greatest equiptment to use but its what i have and they know they aren't getting pro shots from me but I still want to make the best of what I got. Any tips? The pics will be taken outside primarly in some nice landscaping.

[T. Adam Martin]

[1] Simplify your backgrounds: your comment about "nice landscaping" is a great illustrative point. Who cares about the landscaping?! This is a senior portrait. You can use the landscaping as a backdrop, but this will determine your focal length in order to make sure the background is clean and simple. Thus...

[2] Shoot between 105mm and 200mm: use the focal length available to you to throw that background into confusion. Make sure your subject is far enough away from the background that the background and your subject are not approaching the hyperfocal distance - too much will be in focus.

[3] Watch the dappling on the subject: shoot at an optimal time, or if you can't then shoot a well shaded area, or with the sun behind the subject and use a good reflector to throw some light into their face.

There's plenty more, but this is a good start. Nail the exposure, shoot on a tripod (since you'll be racked out on some shots) and have fun.

[humminboid]

Jon: First of all, your equipment will be excellent for the project.

Shady area, if available.

No shade? Turn them away from the sun, and/or use fill flash.

Either lens...stop down one or two from wide open for best sharpness, but, wide open works too.

Shutter speed as high as possible to eliminate camera shake.

Subject(s) turned at an angle to the camera...no "football shoulders"!

First rule of portraiture: Eyes in focus!

Have fun!