Photography? Some helpful tips and suggestions for outdoor photography please? - 1

I'm an aspiring photographer. It is my hobby. I'm basically into taking photos for stock. I already do have 4-5 images on fotolia. So I do have an idea what kind of technical aspects are to be met. Of course the aesthetic and conceptual aspects but that's a different thing.

I'm buying Nikon D5100. Now the thing is that I want to get on a local site which is like getty in India. It requires dslr images only. So I'm buying a dslr. Moreover I also wanted to get on shutterstock and maybe Istock.

I have decided to shoot outdoor photography. Mainly nature and portraits of some of my friends. I do not have studio like equipments so I can't shoot portraits indoors. I don't even have a backdrop. Basically would shoot them in a shade and against the woods or greenery or in a park.

I ONLY HAVE A TRIPOD, ENTRY LEVEL DSLR (WITH 18-55MM LENS) AND PHOTOSHOP. THAT'S IT.

So could anyone please give me helpful tips and suggestions or perhaps some guidance on how to go about shooting portraits outdoors with the equipments I have, such that they are eligible for stock too? Trust me, I'm a diploma in photoshop so post processing and taking care of CA and Noise and some other aspects isn't difficult for me.

I want help with how to deal with natural lighting. Also how to come out fine as far as sharpness shadows, details of the subject and other similar important aspects are concerned.

You could even touch the topic of ideal location for such outdoor portrait shoots which are very important as far as background is concerned.

I have some ideas about the concepts though. Basically, what all should I keep in mind and how should I shoot my friends' solo portraits and group portraits outdoors such that they are eligible for stock TECHNICALLY? (Please keep in mind the only 3 resources I have.)

A detailed help would be very very much appreciated…

Added (1). I would just be having the 3 things I mentioned both for portraits and nature. I don't think I can get a reflector or something by then… So please answer keeping in mind the only 3 things I have.

But extremely helpful tips 1st poster.

A lot of times you can shoot portrait outdoors with just a reflector. If you don't want to buy a reflector buy a piece of white board from an art store or something similar. For outdoor portraits, start with having your subjects doing something and trying to get the shot. This is one of the big advantages of outdoor portraits. Indoors you are limited to what your subject can be doing, or else it looks really posed. Outdoors your subject can be doing whatever they are doing, and you can hang back back and shoot. Also, if they are doing something there's more of a chance that they could use it in stock. It might fit into more categories.

As far as shooting nature, if you are shooting landscapes you have all the gear you need. I would suggest going to your library and reading everything you can on composition. I've seen some examples of photographers shooting with the cheapest disposable cameras to prove points in composition. They know the limits of the camera, and they focus on shape and not detail. Some of these shots are absolutely amazing. All cameras (gear) has limits, you just need to know how to work with them.

Here's a good tip for shooting outdoors in direct sun (like it or not sometimes you will find yourself in this situation). Http://blog.kevinheslinphoto.com/2011/05/03/wedding-photography-tips-from-costa-rica---shooting-in-harsh-sunlight/