Photography for Charcoal Portrait Reference Portraits Photography for Charcoal Portrait Reference

School pictures…BORING!! BOOOORING! There are far more creative ways to capture our subjects; we just have to think outside of the box! From the time we are little our parents or loved ones have been taking pictures of us- documenting our every move. When we think of standard portraits most of us think of the classic “school picture”.

What kind of pictures instead?? There are essentially three profiles to begin with: Front Profile – face is straight on Side Profile- head is turned 90 degrees Three Quarter Profile- held turned 45 degrees four different approaches that can be taken in photographic portraiture — the constructionist, environmental, candid and creative approaches. Each approach has been used over time for different reasons such as technical, artistic or cultural.

What kind of pictures instead?? There are also four different approaches that can be taken in photographic portraiture — the constructionist, environmental, candid and creative approaches. Each approach has been used over time for different reasons such as technical, artistic or cultural.

Constructionist This when the photographer in their portraiture constructs an idea around the subject — happy family, romantic couple, trustworthy executive. It is the approach used in most studio and social photography. It is also used extensively in advertising and marketing when an idea has to be put across.

Environmental Depicts the subject in their environment such as work, leisure, social or family environments. They are often shown as doing something; a teacher in a classroom, an artist in a studio, a child in a playground. The environmental approach helps to reveal more about the subject.

Candid… Candid Photography is portrait pictures taken when the subject is not posing or does not realize a picture is being taken. Though it is impossible to take a candid picture of yourself- if you have a picture a friend took of you that is candid that could work!

Creative… Creative Portraiture is fine art portraiture that is created in a studio. The photographer is responsible for every detail- from styling the subject all the way up to lighting. Head shots focus on the face and may include the shoulders and sometimes waist. Props may be used- such as glasses, umbrella, etc.

TIP #1: Experiment with Lighting Lighting can add mood, texture and contrast, all while enhancing the focal point. There are almost unlimited possibilities when it comes to using light in portraits. Side-lighting can create mood, backlighting and silhouetting your subject to hide their features can be powerful.

TIP #2: Subject Contrast with Background Skin/Hair Tones vs. Background Tone: To help your subject stand out think about contrast. Darker skin tones stand out dramatically on white backgrounds. Lighter skin tones stand out fantastically on black backgrounds. **Hair (depending on the tone) can either be brought forward by contrast with the back ground or become part of the background when matching hair and background tones- leading to dramatic focus on the face.

TIP #3: Where to Look Look at the Camera: The most commonly used stance, looking at the camera when creating a portrait helps to achieve a heightened connection between the audience and the subject.

TIP #3 Continued: Where to Look Look within the frame: A child looking at a ball, a woman looking at her new baby, a singer looking at her microphone…. When you give your subject something to look at that is inside the frame you create a second point of interest and a relationship between it and your primary subject. It also helps create ’story’ within the image.

TIP #4: Introduce a Prop Add a prop and you can create another point of interest that can enhance your shot. The prop should tell the audience something about the subject.

TIP #5: Add Movement Creating lines with movement: Add movement by using a fan to blow hair or shaking your head; creating implied lines and framing of the face

TIP #6: Frame Your Subject Framing is a technique where by you draw attention to one element of an image by framing it with another element of the image. Framing gives an imaginative depth and draws the eye to a point of interest in the image.

TIP #7: Change the Format Framing The standard vertical format (left) is the compositional formatting we tend to go to. Try to change this and see what you come up with!

TIP #8: Experiment with Subject Expressions In some portraits it is the expression on the face of your subject that makes the image. Get your subject to experiment with different moods and emotions in your image. Play with extreme emotions

TIP #9: Unique Perspective Instead of taking the picture head on change perspectives! Shoot from really high up Shoot from laying down on the ground Look at foreshortening

TIP #10: Fill the Frame One way to ensure that your subject captures the attention of the viewer of your portrait is to fill the frame with their face.

Photography as a REFERENCE These pictures will be used as a reference for a drawing you will be doing of yourself. You are responsible for EVERYTHING in the frame of the picture. Though things can be changed, it take more time and experience to do this! Take a few minutes to read “Choosing & Using Picture Photo References” Make sure the idea sheet is filled out and given to teacher to check before take final pictures.

HOMEWORK: Take 10 pictures of yourself that you would want to use for the final. Get your friends and family to help! All 10 pictures must be quality pictures that could be used- that means you will most likely need to take way more than 10 and choose the 10 best. If the pictures do not work then you will be asked to retake them.