The Canon 30D is good choice for graduation portrait photography.
The Canon 30D digital single lens reflex (DSLR) is a semi-professional camera and a good choice for graduation portrait photography. The camera has an 8.2mp DIGIC II sensor designed to create images that are easily enlarged. Using the portrait setting on the 30D will produce images with warm skin tones and slightly increased contrast. The 30D can also be used in any of the other settings including aperture priority, shutter priority and manual mode. In these settings, the 30D is giving the photographer more control in creating the portrait.
Which Lens to Use
Selecting the correct to lens for graduation portrait photography is an important consideration in producing stunning images. Traditionally, you should choose a lens with similar perspective to the human eye. A lens with a focal length of 50mm or higher is good choice. However, all rules are made to be broken. Unique and equally beautiful portraits can be made with any type of lens. Graduation portraits should capture the subject's unique personality and or represent what your subject was known for in school. Using a wide angle lens which produces interesting perspective may be a good choice to photograph your subject. A major advantage in using a digital camera like the 30D over a film camera is you can try as many different lenses and shooting positions you can think of. With pictures you don't like, simply delete and start again.
Outdoor Graduation Portraits
Shooting graduation portraits outside can be a little tricky. However with some pre-planning the outdoors can offer stunning backdrops and settings. Of course the main consideration in shooting outdoors is the weather. Ideally, you want a time when the sun is low in the sky, within two hours after sunrise or two hours before sunset. Selecting a backdrop that is nicely lit by the sun, and using Canon's Speedlight (portable flash) on the Canon 30D will give you enough fill (secondary) light on your subject resulting in a well balanced portrait.
Studio Graduation Portraits
A studio provides the photographer with complete control over all aspects of the image. If you are using studio strobes, you will need to use the Canon 30D in manual mode. First setting the shutter to match studio lights, selecting a shutter speed of 1/250th or less will do this. With a slow shutter speed, you increase the possibility of camera shake, or your subject may move. To eliminate this, do not use a shutter speed below 1/125. Using a tripod for the camera is also a good idea. Once the shutter speed is selected on the Canon 30D you will need to select the aperture. You can use a handheld flash meter, or simply through trial and error. Begin with a mid-range aperture, f5.6 to f8, and take a test picture. One of the review settings on the Canon 30D allows you to view the image histogram, in the review screen located on the back of the camera. Once you have the exposure set, you are ready to start shooting.
Tags: good choice, shutter speed, your subject, graduation portrait, graduation portrait photography, portrait photography