New member from Australia - really wanting to get into glamour/portraiture

[Daniel_D50]

Hi everyone!

I have to say that, hands down, this is the best photography forum I have seen. Way to go! Everyone here is so great (from what I have seen over the past two days of solid reading/lurking I have done here)!

I am an amateur photographer from Australia and would really, really love to do glamour / portraiture like you guys do. I have recently gotten myself a Nikon D50 with an 18-55mm f/3.5 and a 70-300mm f/5.6. The lenses are nice and all, but the work I have done up until now has been mostly outdoor (sports, flower macros, etc) and I get into trouble quickly when the light is not direct sunlight, or when it is overcast/variable. I think I need to shell out more dough for some 2.8's. I have no speedlight (or studio lighting), and dislike the effect my fill flash gives me, so I really only try to use it to bring out some more details in shadows. I am hoping that an environment where I can control the lighting better (studio or location with studio lighting) will improve my shots.

I am a bit frustrated at the moment because I have been working on my photography for months and my portfolio has nothing I really want to print. I have trouble focusing correctly, or when I do, other things ruin the photograph (like poor facial expressions, poor exposure, poor colour, or poor composition). As you see, I have problems!

However, I am working on them. I know this forum will help me become better :-)

I look forward to chatting with you all, and hope to have something worthy of posting soon!

Daniel.



P.S.: I just realised how long the introduction is! Sorry! ;-)

[Michael H Dean]

HI Daniel
Welcome to G1. There are many folks on here that will be more then happy to help. Best to ask one question at a time and give details as to what you are doing. Settings on camera, lighting,, etc, etc.
The tech forum will also give you plenty of info.
Good Luck and again welcome, glad to have you on board
Mike
Owner/Admin

[lsc1]

Welcome Daniel. It's a great place to learn and you will continue to improve and get those portfolio shots you want with practice. The more you shoot, the better you'll get.

Cheers,
LSC

[Huey51]

G'day mate. Keep shooting. It's a never ending learning experience.

[LifeIsGreatImages]

Yes welcome!

Being in Brisbane should assure you of a great supply of models. I was there about four years ago, mostly loafing at Surfer's Paradise before going to Cairns and out to the reef.

I share the same challenges you mentioned.

Steve

[bonj]

Welcome Daniel,
You may want to look into coming along to a Brisbane Camera Group meeting. The digital subgroup is very informative and organise regular portrait workshops at a property in Pullenvale. There is one happening on the 22nd of October (I know, Indy race day... bugger). There is usually a small charge to cover the models (around AU$25). The workshops are frequently attended by a number of portrait gurus. The digital subgroup meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month, at St Brigids Hall, in Red Hill.
There are also monthly shoots organised by the Brisbane Photography forum (Am I allowed to link to another forum?). They resemble the Pullenvale shoots, but are smaller and more frequent. These are TFCD.
Feel free to PM me if you want more info, and welcome to Glamour 1. I'm sure you'll learn alot here. I certainly have.

-Ben