Hopefully, you’re enjoying confinement with people that are close to you and if that’s the case, you might want to try a project that takes advantage of what’s immediately to hand: natural light and the human body. Check out this short video for some tips on how to get started.
Perhaps one of the most enjoyable aspects of photographer Nicolas Doretti’s videos is his tendency to pick apart his failures and tell you why certain images don’t work. Rather than saving only his best work for his YouTube video, he presents all of the not-quite-so-good shots that give you an insight into his process. For those starting out, it should help you to understand that a good photograph is often the result of shooting a load of average images and using the failures to draw out a successful one.
If you’re not blessed with a wide array of expensive glass, this is definitely one situation where the classic nifty fifty comes in useful. Doretti has opted for the slightly more expensive Sonnar 55mm f/1.8 but you’ll get perfectly acceptable results from Sony’s FE 50mm f/1.8. Portraits lend themselves to longer focal lengths but the tight working space of a small apartment makes the 50mm length much better option.
Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Note to self: Secure an impossibly beautiful, young woman to live with who will act as muse, model and comedic foil during times of social distancing.
My first thought as well. Oh, and a beautifully lit apartment as well!
And perhaps grab an accent like his from the local shops ;)
My parents are French Canadian. I could do it with some practice.. :D
Best part was the critique... Nicely done