RECALL When was photography invented? What were the first photographed portraits called? 1826-1839...

RECALLWhen was photography

invented?

What were the first photographed portraits called?

1826-18391826-Nipce prints the first “photograph”

1839-Talbot created the first negative process.

Tintypes & Daguerreotypes

RECALLHow were daguerreotypes

taken?

RECALLBefore the daguerreotype, how were

portraits made?

They were paintings—typically oil paintings

commissioned by artists.

August Sander, Pastry Cook, 1928

Portrait PhotographyA portrait is usually a

collaborative project between the subject and the

photographer, who has to gain the subject’s trust and

cooperation.

A good portrait depends on building a relationship with

your subject, even if it’s only temporary.

Portrait PhotographyGood portraits record more than a person’s appearance; they

reveal that person’s personality and character.

How do you capture a person’s personality in a photograph?

Think about the following: • The subject’s personality. What kind of person do YOU, the photographer, think they are? Ask the subject to describe him/herself. Think about how to compose the shot to reveal those characteristics. Don’t be afraid to ask the subject for suggestions.•The location and props can be a key elements to exposing different parts of the subject’s personality. •Lighting can affect the overall mood of the photograph and the person as well.

Portrait PhotographyTOOLS OF THE TRADE

TRIPODA three legged metal

stand on which you can mount your camera.


CABLE RELEASEA flexible wire, one end of

which attaches to the camera’s shutter release.

The other end has a plunger that, when

pressed, lets you trip the shutter.


REFLECTORAnything that will reflect light into the shadows

to lighten them for a flattering and three-dimensional portrait.

Portrait PhotographyBlack and White vs Color

Portrait Photography•The Formal Portrait•The Candid Portrait•The Environmental

Portrait•The Self-Portrait

The Formal PortraitThe simplest portrait style.

A formal portrait should emphasize the person and nothing else.

CAMERA SETTINGSShoot formal portraits with a wide aperture to make the

background out of focus. This makes the background less distracting.

If you are using a NORMAL LENS use f/2 or f2.8.If you are using a ZOOM LENS try f/3.5 or f4.5

These f-stops will keep the subject in focus and the background out of focus, and put the emphasis where it belongs – on the

subject. What DEPTH OF FIELD will this create?

The Formal PortraitLIGHTING

INDOORS: •Use a single light source placing one light at approximately a 45 degree angle on one side of your subject. •Use a reflector such as white foam board on the opposite side of the subject from the light. •The position of the reflector is critical. Watch the subject carefully and have the person holding the reflector move it around until the light is just right, and the shadows are lightened.

This is the SIMPLIST indoor lighting set up.

The Formal PortraitLIGHTING

OUTDOORS: •Direct sunlight is not preferable. Why? Write your answer on your paper.•Try shooting in open shade, such as a the shadow of a building or tree, but avoid deep shade. You’d want to include the sky, but not the sun. If possible, have an assistant hold a reflector to light up any shadows. This person will need to be about 3-6 feet away from the subject. •Cloudy days are great. The even lighting they provide is very flattering. •Avoid busy and distracting backgrounds, and watch for things like poles or branches sticking out of a persons head.

The Formal Portrait

The Candid PortraitCandid portraits capture a person going

about everyday life and activities. TIPS•Don’t try to pose your subject. It’s more effective if the person is completely natural. Try to take the portrait without the subject knowing. If you, the photographer, fade into the background, your subject will be more relaxed and spontaneous.

•Be sure to include your subjects surroundings in candid portraits. The background gives context and can explain what your subject is doing.

•You’ll take many more photos when shooting candid shots. Take time shoot from different vantage points and capture many different moods and expressions.

The Candid Portrait

The Environmental PortraitEnvironmental portraits use a subject’s surroundings to help tell that person’s story. They combine photojournalism

with portrait photography. TIPS•Show as much of the background as needed to tell the story of your subject. While the subject is still the most important element in the image, the background helps to provide additional details to the story the image tells about the subject.

•Once you determine the details of the background you will use, you’ll have a good idea of how big the subject needs to be in the picture.

•It can be a challenge to balance the person and the background to get the best effect. You’ll need to shoot different angles to get the best shot.

The Environmental PortraitTIPS•Show as much of the background as needed to tell the story of your subject. While the subject is still the most important element in the image, the background helps to provide additional details to the story the image tells about the subject.

•Once you determine the details of the background you will use, you’ll have a good idea of how big the subject needs to be in the picture.

•It can be a challenge to balance the person and the background to get the best effect. You’ll need to shoot different angles to get the best shot.

The Environmental PortraitCAMERA SETTINGS

•Wide angle lenses are useful in environmental portraits, as are tripods.

Why should you use a wide angle lens when photographing environmental portraits?

•Stop down the lens to f/5.6 – f/58 or even f/11 for a greater depth of field.

Why do you need a greater depth of field when shooting environmental portraits?

The Environmental Portrait


Arnold Newman, Igor Stravinsky, December 1946.


Annie Libovitz, Hillary Rodham Clinton

The Self-PortraitIn a self-portrait, you become your own

subject. •With traditional self-portraits, you simply take a picture of yourself. You show who you are and something about your life. This is a self-portrait autobiography--- where you get the chance to tell your own story. What equipment would you need to take a self-portrait?

The Self-Portrait

RECALL When was photography invented? What were the first photographed portraits called? 1826-1839...

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