Make TEN (minimum) photographs of THREE different people (subjects):
1. Only one human under 21 years old.
2. No solo babies under 6 years old. (Yes, a parent with a baby is fine, but no solo babies!)
3. Anyone over 60 years old will earn you extra credit (Why? Because we revere our elders, and they deserve our attention. They have stories to tell).
NOTE: This is not a "glamour shot" project, so do not have your subject "smile" or "say cheese" for the photo. If your photographs are of people "smiling," the photos will not score well.
MUST INCLUDE TO REACH A SCORE OF 4/4:
(These must be included in the pictures for your score to reach a 4)
1. Use of DIRECT/CHIAROSCURO light.
2. Some sort of creatively unusual/unexpected composition.
3. Your subject in an environment/place, or with objects/materials that describes him/her. (For instance, if your Grandma works on cars, photograph that person in the shop. Or if your Grandpa needlepoints, make that equipment part of the photograph.)
OBJECTIVE:
To practice composition and to record the expression and nuance in the subject’s face. Think of it as trying to capture, in a still image, the essence of your subject. What is essence? Maybe this is captured in a slight (or dramatic) facial expression, a body gesture, body language, or the setting for the photograph in relation to the person.
To practice composition and to record the expression and nuance in the subject’s face. Think of it as trying to capture, in a still image, the essence of your subject. What is essence? Maybe this is captured in a slight (or dramatic) facial expression, a body gesture, body language, or the setting for the photograph in relation to the person.
HOW-TO ENGAGE YOUR SUBJECT:
Schedule a couple different times to photograph your subjects, as this will possibly allow for different moods, energy levels, etc. Engage your subject in conversation as you take the pictures. Talk to your subject about his/her life. Ask about a favorite vacation, best friend, most embarrassing moment, special event, proudest moment, greatest accomplishment, a moment of surprise, grief, etc. Be respectful of your subject's sensitivity, and that perhaps he/she may not want to share certain details. It is your responsibility to make your subject feel at ease. Share some of your own information to start the process.
CHIAROSCURO/DIRECT LIGHT: (In a sense, we've already talked about this earlier in the semester)
chiaroscuro is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition.
chiaroscuro is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition.
Chiaroscuro explained. CLICK HERE.
Note: be careful to keep at least one eye visible in the photograph. We want to be able to connect with your subject, and that will not happen if the eyes are both hidden in shadow.
Note: be careful to keep at least one eye visible in the photograph. We want to be able to connect with your subject, and that will not happen if the eyes are both hidden in shadow.
STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHS FROM PAST YEARS:
BE MINDFUL OF THE FOLLOWING:
SHUTTER SPEED.
If you are photographing indoors (or in low light), you will most likely need to place your camera on a sturdy surface or tripod. Remember the sock filled with rice that we talked about in class? This 'beanbag' will be an excellent device to use now if your shutter speed is going to be below 1/60.
Shutter speeds explained (click here)
More shutter speeds (click here)
Avoid 'camera shake' (click here)
LIGHTING
Make sure that the light is BEHIND YOU, NOT THE SUBJECT. Do not make silhouettes for this project.
Lighting (click here)
OTHER SITES TO REMIND YOU:
Photography Tips (click here)
Photo.net (click here)
Here's a blog with some ideas for your portraits:
(CLICK HERE)
IDEAS:
Lens Culture Portrait Awards. CLICK HERE.
Portraits in India (CLICK HERE).
Tom Carter (CLICK HERE).
Martin Schoeller (CLICK HERE).