Portraits assignment
Hold it! Now say "cheese"
Photography
would be just side note in history if it weren't for portraiture. Families
huddled into studios, stood stiff as a board, had a huge flash explode in
their face, and were rewarded with a family treasure, the daguerreotype.
It could be a torturous ordeal. We'll skip the torture and concentrate on
the practical use of light and posing to capture the portrait you've always
wanted.
We will also discuss environmental portraits. These are the most
difficult, but give the best reward. The environmental portrait places the
subject in their environment. A spelunker would be in a dark hole with a
lamp on his helmet. She wouldn't be in a studio with mottled blue
background. Get the idea? Don't know what a spelunker is? Try this:
Google
I've
included some articles below.. Make sure you read
them. There are some great portrait photographers out there that enjoy
spreading their knowledge. Monte Zucker is
one of the most important wedding photographers in the country. Visit his
web sites for more information:
www.montezucker.com and
www.zuga.net
Download Extra Handouts on Portraiture...
THE ASSIGNMENT...
INTRODUCTION:
A good portrait is a single, static image that reveals a
subject's distinctive personality and style
by isolating those characteristics that are unique to that person. Sometimes
this will be a fleeting
facial expression, the way a person dresses or poses, or the way the subject
interacts with their environment. But usually it
will be a combination of these elements that come together to give a visual
representation of a subject's personality, character and soul.
Yousuf Karsh said,
"There is a brief moment when all that there is in a man's mind and soul and spirit may be reflected through his eyes, his hands, his attitude. This is the moment to record. This is the elusive 'moment of truth."'EQUIPMENT:
35MM SLR camera
90-150mm telephoto lens (works best for portraits) -white poster board or a piece of cardboard covered in aluminum foil (to use as a reflector) -ISO 100 or 200 film
PROCEDURE:
Shoot as many pictures as you wish, but try for a variety of poses and locations. Keep your subject in mind when choosing your location for the portrait session.
Turn in at least three mounted, finished prints. Try to use each of the three different lighting situations:
Sunlight (hard light),
Open shade (diffuse light),
Window light (diffuse light).
Remember to use your reflector to put highlights in your subject's eyes and to lighten dark shadows on the face.
Watch for unwanted harsh and/or mottled shadows on your subjects' faces. For best results shoot in early morning or late afternoon; the light will be warmer and the shadows more flattering.
POSE YOUR SUBJECT!!!!!!