Quick guide: the master of the portraits, the recorder of atmosphere

This photographer is a people expert who captures life's big moments: weddings, graduations and family potlucks. The work requires a social flair and the ability to guide the subjects with confidence. Above all, the equipment must be reliable - a wedding kiss cannot be renewed because of a technical fault. This photographer looks for beautifully smooth bokeh, good skin tone reproduction and the certainty that the images are safe on two memory cards. [...]

Camera

Sony A7 IV. This is a ”modern classic” for wedding and potrait photographers. It's a true hybrid camera that excels in both stills and video. Its 33 megapixel sensor offers enough resolution for large prints, and its real-time human eye focus is among the most reliable on the market. Two memory card slots allow you to store backups in real time, a must for the professional.

Lens

Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM or FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II . The G Master series is the crown jewel of Sony optics. The 50mm f/1.2 is a dream lens that isolates the subject from the background in almost three dimensions and works brilliantly in low light. The 85mm is a more classic potshot lens that flatters facial features by compressing perspective a little.

Additional information

Sony HVL-F60RM2 -salama. While natural light is beautiful, a professional must also be able to cope with the darkness of the ballroom. Sony's own flagship flash communicates perfectly with the body, enabling accurate exposure and face-sensitive white balance. Its pivoting ”Quick Shift Bounce” head is quick to use in situations where the shooting direction changes between portrait and landscape.

Filming tips

1. Communicate with the subject. The best smile doesn't come from saying ”cheese”, but from genuine interaction. Chat, laugh and guide the subject all the time. As the model relaxes, the images become natural and genuine.
2. Look for shade in bright weather. Direct sunshine creates harsh shadows on the face and makes the subject squint. Take your subject to the shade of a tree or the ”shady side” of a building. Even light is often the most flattering in a potrait.
3. Always focus on the nearest eye. In Potret, the first thing that catches the viewer's attention is the eyes. If the eyes are not sharp, the image will seem like a failure. Use a wide aperture (small f-number) to blur the background, but focus carefully.