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[marty]

I'm after advice here.
My sister-in-law wants me to take some pictures of her and her new-born (plus hubby & big brother).
I've only ever taken photos of my own kids and they have never really been 'staged'.
I would like to give her good photos as a present but have no idea on taking portraits or what settings etc... to use. I really am a novice at photo taking.
I have just bought a Canon 30D and am using my lens from my old canon (non digital). I have a handed down tripod and that's it. I don't have photo shop either.
So all ideas, hints etc... Would be greatly appreciated.
I will most likely take the pictures indoors as we are in the middle of winter.

Cheers
Marty

[BarryM]

Firstly what lens is it you have ??

[Bindii]

Have a look on the net for some family shots..that should give you some posing ideas...

Do you have a flash....or just the flash on the 30D?

Will you be taking the shots inside or outside?

Don't worry too much about not having photoshop as I am sure that you will find someone on here who would be willing to have a play with some of your shots....:)

[Stemmy]

For pictures indoors try and use as much natural light as possible. Sit the subjects next to a window. Possibly have a white piece of card that you can use as a reflector to bounce some light into the other side of the face.

visit photographers websites and check out their portrait section. Get some ideas.

[marty]

Thanks Guys,
I'll be shooting indoors.
I don't have a flash (other than the pop up that came with the camera)
The lens is from my old SLR Canon 35-80mm & non digital. (have told Santa that I will try very hard to be a good girl over the next few months in exchange for a new lens - need to do some research on what lens I would like - another question for the forum later).

Is there any good photo sites that people would recommend I check out?
I like the white board idea.

Thanks again

Cheers

[tonymidd]

One of the worlds best portrait togs is Jane Bown, http://observer.guardian.co.uk/special_report/0,6903,156052,00.html
She used OM1's which she carried around in a M&S plastic carrier bag, always used natural light with a reflector and produced fabulous pictures.

Not sure why you sound worried about your lens, Canon 35-80mm which I assume is AF and the AF works on the 30D so with, I think 1:6 factor your lens is in 35mm terms the equivilent of a 56-136mm so at about 56mm you have the equivilent of the classic 90mm portrait lens. Not sure what you mean by non digital. Even if you have to use it maunally it's the perfect lens for portraits from the mid to long end of it's range.

If this is your lens use it at f8 and you should be OK at 56-80mm (90-136mm) for head and shoulders, either step back or go a touch wider for full length shots.
http://photonotes.org/cgi-bin/lens-specs.pl?lens1=EF+35-80mm+f4-5.6

[lostmysnorkel]

Yep, use natural light where possible, so sit them by a window - preferably one with a net curtain over it to act as a diffuser. Then use a reflector where necessary to kill the shadows.

For the older child, depending on their age, take them somewhere you already know has some nice backgrounds and interesting features. Choose a smallish area and just let the kid play there while you work hadheld around him.

[Renee Marquis]

Here is a link to a photographerw site that has great family images:
Http://www.holritzphotography.info/
http://www.maerstudio.com/zoesone
Got to view these... they are great....Enoy~