Photography Lesson 9 – Portrait Photography

Portrait Photography/Self-Portrait Photographs

Shoot at least 50 photos using another person as the subject for half and yourself as the subject for the other half. Before you shoot think about whether you are trying to describe the external or internal features of your subject. Use lighting, costumes, props, camera angles, depth of field and close ups to explore your vision.

Some words to think about as you direct your shoot:
Likeness
Character
Truth
Beauty
Ugly
Time
Metaphysical
Humor
External
Internal
Other
Personality
Interpret
Dream
Represent
Personality
Mirror
Transfer

Assignment Objectives
To explore the potential for photography to describe the inner and/or outer self. You will also begin the process of learning how to make a picture rather than taking a picture by using lighting, costumes, props, camera angles, depth of field, close ups, darkroom manipulations, etc.

Portrait Photographers
Here are some photographers to begin your research with: Nadar, August Sander, Gertrude Kasebier, Julia Margaret Cameron, Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand, Phillipe Halsman, Edward Steichen, Lissette Model, Alexander Rodchenko, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Andy Warhol

Requirement
8-12 images of at least 3 portraits and 3 self-portraits.

Ilse Bing, Self Portrait In Mirrors, Black & White Photograph, 1931

Ilse Bing, Self Portrait In Mirrors, Black & White Photograph, 1931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a great interactive guide to portrait lighting that will help you understand how to see and control light from Cambridge In Color’s website:Portrait Lighting

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