Newbie needs tips on B+W portraits of mother and daughter

[rvaccha]

Hi,

I am a beginner in photography, and taking an to photography class at my University in Philadelphia.

I shoot using 35mm B+W film.

I have been approached by a mother and her daughter to take some portraits of them, and was looking for suggestions on settings and any tips that you may have, e.g. film, location, lighting.

The mother is in her late 20s, the daughter is 8.

I can either use the studio on campus, which has basic lighting, e.g. clamp lights, few backgrounds, or use outdoor light as the weather is nice for the next 1-2 days.

Any suggestions will be welcome.

Thanks, RJ

[ghsmith178613]

Hi,

I am a beginner in photography, and taking an to photography class at my University in Philadelphia.

I shoot using 35mm B+W film.

I have been approached by a mother and her daughter to take some portraits of them, and was looking for suggestions on settings and any tips that you may have, e.g. film, location, lighting.

The mother is in her late 20s, the daughter is 8.

I can either use the studio on campus, which has basic lighting, e.g. clamp lights, few backgrounds, or use outdoor light as the weather is nice for the next 1-2 days.

Any suggestions will be welcome.

Thanks, RJ

what did your professor tell you? really... anything about the first rule of photography? about "simplicity"?
you are the director and the producer.
put thought and planning in.
scout the location in advance.
take another student along as an assistant to hold a white card or other reflector.
keep it tight. this is about mother and daughter.
shallow depth of field (wide open aperture) don't make the background the subject.
if you get time after the outdoor session, take them in the studio.

good luck.