Which settings for a portrait?

[sclewin]

Well, not really a portrait, but a picture to be used on Facebook. My wife wants me to take a new picture for her Facebook photo and I want to take a nice shot. Something where she, and everybody else, can see her the way I do.

When I first got the camera I took a picture of her, but not knowing how to use the camera that well I made a few mistakes and the photo is not that very good.

What I am asking here is how to take the best picture of someone?

[sclewin]

If it helps, here is the first picture I took and screwed up on.

[kat]

Hi!

My suggestion is to

1. Have the light coming from the front not the back of her. Most times when I shoot, I use the light from my window and not a midday light.

2. I'd also suggest that the focus be on her face, eyes to be exact.

3. I'm not sure if your wife wants to have a closer head shot but that may make number 2 easier for you.

4. If you can, maybe move the vaccuum cleaner

You will get better, more extensive tips than what i gave you so hold on!! Help is coming!!

[tirediron]

Kat's advice is spot on. To that which she has mentioned, I'll add: Shoot at her eye level rather that up at her; find a plain background, a medium or darker tone to contrast her hair and skin, crop more tightly on her head and shoulders, and avoid cropping little bits of body parts (in this case the upper portion of her left arm). Bold crops are fine, provided they don't bisect a joint, but little bits tend to give the impression of careless composition.

Looking forward to the Mk II version!

[Marko]

All good advice so far

I'd like to add that most portraits are done with a larger apertures so that the background blurs out a bit which makes the subject stand out more. Most portraits are also shot with longer lenses or focal lengths around 85-100mm and more. That rule is not etched in stone but it is the norm for most pros that I Know.
Hope that helps
Marko

[sclewin]

All great advice so far, but there are a couple things I should mention. Even though Facebook pictures are normally of a person's face, my wife wants a shot of her body as well because she haves lost some weight recently and wants to show it off . Also, the only lens I have to chose from is the one that came with the camera which is a 18-70mm lens. I do plan to save up for a telescopic lens for later.

[Pharaoh]

Most portraits are also shot with longer lenses or focal lengths around 85-100mm and more. That rule is not etched in stone but it is the norm for most pros that I Know.
Hope that helps
Marko

Just curious,

Does this hold true with ((less than full frame)) DSLRs? I'm not a heavily invested in portrait photography but am contemplating being minimally prepared. Closest thing I have to what I believe is portrait caliber glass is a 50mm f 1:4 lense.

From casual observation, I've noticed a friend as well as some others who's portraits I've seen, have often had focal lengths 85mm or less.

I guess one thing I'm trying to calculate (unscientifically) is whether or not the necessary back off from the subject with a non full frame couldn't, by old portrait standards, be achieved / optimal with a smaller sized lens?

Thanks.