In need of a lot of help!

[jack_smith26]

<p>Hi guys,<br>

<br />I don't have much experience with cameras and lighting, but my boss has asked me to take some good portrait staff pictures. I've attached pictures which contain equipment that he has given me, I just don't know where to position everything to get good pictures.<br>

Can someone help me and point me in the right direction? <br>

<br />The two blackboards (one is bigger) are both white on the other side.</p>

<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/3d6366485d2b792736e2699dbd8b6b99/tumblr_ne5i9y2KRX1qka6nwo1_500.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="667" /></p>

<p><img src="https://33.media.tumblr.com/769c99a407fa8aa5bb61bf2e2a5c2535/tumblr_ne5i9y2KRX1qka6nwo2_250.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="334" /></p>

<p><img src="https://38.media.tumblr.com/dd9c603d194397e17c3e419db650c8fc/tumblr_ne5i9y2KRX1qka6nwo3_250.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="334" /></p>

<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/b46bf507078c3842ed0c149395f3212d/tumblr_ne5i9y2KRX1qka6nwo4_250.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="334" /></p>

<p><img src="https://33.media.tumblr.com/95de546250a1851d413d2701a3492a14/tumblr_ne5i9y2KRX1qka6nwo5_r1_500.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="667" /></p>

<p> </p>

[michaelmowery]

<p>Tell your boss to hire a professional</p>

 

[craig_shearman1]

<p>What's your regular job? And if it's not as a photographer, why is your boss assigning this to you?<br /> Looks like you've got a camera and lens, softbox (hopefully with a flash inside), a reflector and backdrop, so you've got the basic tools. Knowing how to use them is a different story. <br /><br />Basic setup: Person sitting on a stool, body 45 degrees to the left or right just not straight on to the camera. Head turned toward the camera but not straight-on. Should be 4-5 feet in front of the backdrop. Softbox off about 45 degrees from the line between the camera and the subject, on the same side they are facing toward. Have it up so it's facing down about 45 degrees. Reflector on the opposite side.<br /> Can't tell just what that lens is but zoom in all the way and leave it there. Set camera at ISO 400, full manual (M, not A, S or P on the dial). Shutter speed 1/125. Start with the lens wide open (probably f/4 on that lens) and then make a shot at each stop down to f/16 or so. See which one gives you best exposure.<br /><br />Experiment on a friend until you've got this nailed down before you start trying to shoot the entire office.<br /><br />There's a lot more to it than this but that's a start. Good luck.</p>

[rick_m.]

<p>Run over to <a href="http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/">http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/</a> and do the lighting 101/102 lessons. They will open your eyes. </p>

[craig_shearman1]

<p>At Strobist, look for one of the Lessons or "On Assignment" pieces he calls a "corner headshot." He shows it with an umbrella but you could do the same with the softbox. The way he explains it it's pretty much foolproof.</p>

[henryp]

<p><em>"If You Think Hiring A Professional Is Expensive, Try Hiring An Amateur”.</em> Red Adair<br>

YMMV<br /><br>

Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong><br /></p>

[devon_mccarroll]

+1 for hiring a pro, because there is a lot more to this than you're ready for. Not only do you need to know how to use your camera in full

manual mode, you also need to be able to adjust your settings and lighting on the fly for things like light skinned vs dark skinned subjects,

people with glasses, dark hair and light hair, things like large facial features vs petite, etc. etc. All of these will require lighting

adjustments, and you won't have time to be fiddling around and figuring it out if you have an entire staff to photograph. There is nothing

wrong with saying that you're not experienced enough for the task. I've been there. People seem to think that if you have a digital camera

and do photography as a hobby that you can whip together properly lit portraits. You could always offer to assist a pro if they bring one in,

and maybe learn some things along the way, but lighting itself involves a steep learning curve, even if you know the technical aspects of

your gear inside and out.

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>BTW Jack, you might want to wipe the crud or condensation off the lens that you used to photograph the lighting equipment!</p>