Transcript Portrait Photography Assignment

PORTRAIT
PHOTOGRAPHY
Every Face Tells A Story
WHAT IS A PORTRAIT?
• A portrait is defined as a
likeness of a person,
especially of the person’s
face
• A photographic portrait is
understood to be a good
quality image that not only
captures a person’s physical
likeness but also something
of the person’s character
CAPTURING CHARACTER
Character is by definition:
• The combination of qualities or features
that distinguishes one person, group, or
thing from another
To capture character in a photograph
consider the following:
• Personality
• Attitude
• Unique mannerisms, features, or traits of
the person
WHERE TO START
Choose the environment
• Careful consideration the
environment in which you are
taking the portrait
• The environment contributes
positively or negatively to the
surroundings and background
quality of the photograph
• It may also contribute to building
the character quality of the
portrait
Camera Angles
• The angle at which you take the portrait can
change the impression given by that person
• Try many different angles to capture
different view points
• Ask yourself, which angle works best to
capture that individual portrait
requirements?
Camera Angles
High Angle Portraits
• Will emphasize the face more
than the body
• Can help the subject appear
slimmer
• Can make the person appear
smaller and create a feeling
of vulnerability
Low Angle Portraits
• Can make a person look taller,
or seem as if they are more
powerful
• Not very flattering for most
people (the body appears larger
than the head and face)
• Often used for portraits of
presidents, athletes and leaders
Camera Angles
Eye-Level Portraits
• The most common camera
angle used in portrait
photography
• Can make the viewer feel like
he or she is in the same
space as the subject
Canted Angle Portraits
• The camera is tilted to one side so
that the picture plane is no longer
parallel to the horizon
• Can create a feeling of excitement,
imbalance, transition and
instability
Facial Views
Simply put, facial view is what portion
or angle of the face is showing
towards the camera.
The four mains facial views used in
portraiture are:
• Full Face
• 3/4 View
• 2/3 View
• Profile
Facial Views
Full face is where your subject’s
nose is pointing directly towards
the lens. You see equal amounts
of both sides of their face.
3/4 view is where your subject
turns their face just slightly in
one direction until you cannot
see the far ear any more.
Facial Views
2/3 view is where the subject
continues to turn their head until
the line of the nose is almost
touching the outline of their
cheek on the far side.
Profile is where the subject’s face
is turned 90 degrees, with their
nose pointing sideways. Only one
eye and one side of their face can
be seen.
LIGHTING
Natural vs. Artificial
There are definite
benefits to both forms
of lighting
Natural Light
Pros:
• Beautiful overall light that cannot be achieved in a studio
environment
• Beautiful background and surroundings that cannot be
accomplished in a studio (e.g. a garden or an interesting
building)
• It’s free and accessible to everyone
• It’s simple – you don’t have to learn how to use studio
lighting equipment
Cons:
• You do not have full control over the lighting conditions
• Weather conditions can often be unpredictable
Artificial Light
Pros:
• Total control of the lighting situation
• Combine many light sources along with other
equipment to create the desired effect.
• Don’t have to worry about the weather
• The environment can be created and left for endless
periods of time
• Can be photographed at any time of the day
• It’s a private environment
Cons:
• Does not have the benefits of natural light such as
overall soft lighting
• Desired lighting effects requires more work and
technical knowledge
• More expense to have necessary equipment and to
maintain a studio space
STUDIO LIGHTING
3-Point Lighting
Three-point lighting is a standard method used in visual media such as
photography, video, and film. By using three separate lighting positions,
photographers can illuminate their subjects however they want, while also
controlling (or eliminating) the shadows produced by direct lighting.
3-Point Lighting
Backlight :
• Shines on the subject
from behind
• Separates the subject
from the background
• Gives the subject a rim
of light and highlights
the contours
3-Point Lighting
Key Light :
• Placed in front of the
subject and off to one
side
• Serves as the main
light source
• Creates dramatic
shadows
3-Point Lighting
Fill Light :
• Placed on the opposite side of the Key Light
• Used to fill in the shadows
• Usually a softer light and not as bright
3-Point Lighting
Used properly, three-point lighting has the
power to transform an otherwise boring
and flat image into a dynamic interesting
image with a subject that “pops”.
3-Point Lighting
A Common Misconception
with Three Point Lighting
You don’t really need three separate lights to use 3 point lighting. Here’s a
common technique that actually requires zero lights…
Go outside in the late afternoon, when the sun is about 45 degrees up in the
sky, and photograph a friend. Place your friend with their back to the sun, and
put your camera in front of them. With the sun behind them, they’ll have a
beautiful glow around their hair and shoulders. This gives the effect of the back
light in a 3 point lighting setup. The sun is the back light.
Now have someone hold a reflector off to the side, out of the frame. Reflect
some of the sunlight into your friend’s face. This reflected light acts like a key
light to model their face.
What about the fill light? Nature will do its job. The sunlight will reflect off the
grass, off the sidewalk, off the sky and clouds, creating an ambient light that will
help fill in the shadows. See? You have now created a three point lighting setup
without having to purchase any lights.
Portrait Photography Assignment – part 1
(Outside of class)
Required Photographs:
Self Portrait
• In this particular circumstance you will need assistances with taking the
photograph.
• You are however responsible for setting up the environment, lighting, and
camera angles.
• There will be a journal entry for this photograph that will record the
process of photographing your self portrait.
Portraits
• Young person or a baby
• Grown up with indication of their job or an
activity of interest
• Person with a prized position
Total Number of Portraits: 4
Portrait Photography Assignment – part 2
(Studio Lighting, In class)
Working with a partner, have 4 pictures taken of yourself in a Portrait
Studio setting.
First, take a photo of yourself using key light only to create a portrait with
dramatic shadows.
Next, use a key light & fill light to take the following 3 photos:
1) Front view portrait
2) 3/4 or 2/3 portrait
3) Profile portrait
Ensure proper lighting is used to avoid shadows
Use Photoshop to enhance colours, tone and
replace the background.
Total Number of Portraits: 4
References for Photographing
Articles
Using your compact camera
http://www.phototechnique.com/how-to/using-compact-cameras-to-take-dslr-quality-images/
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Portrait-Photography-Using-A-Compact-Camera/1776192
Video’s
Framing and Point of View
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyqOEXGCQk0
Lighting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9prcUCHlqM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tin5q2-yPew
Tip’s and Inspiration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAiEhOhr5l0