THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR “PORTRAIT” ASSINGMENT

There is an unlimited number of ways to photograph people you know There is an unlimited number of ways to photograph people you know. Keep these possibilities in mind as you plan your shots…

Consider where you place your camera in relations to your subject and the environment.

In addition of a unique Point of View, this photographer uses a limited Depth of Field to keep our eyes from dwelling too much on foreground or background

Consider the impact of your background

Another example of a plain, but colorful background Another example of a plain, but colorful background. Also note the subject’s “gaze.” Her eye contact with the camera (the viewer) makes us feel more connected

When the subject looks at something within the frame it causes us to feel more like voyeurs – not directly connect to the subject.

When the subject is looking outside the frame, it creates a sense of mystery – what does she see? This image is a classic way of framing that allows the subject “looking space.”

This image is less traditional – still the mystery of what she sees, but in a less conventional – more disconcerting space. She has no “looking space.”

You control how much you show the view: A close-up of a face…

…the full body… pictured: the godmother of Punk Rock, Patti Smith, and the photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe

or a fragment of the body? They are all legit portrait approaches

Consider the role of light Consider the role of light. In this example the face was intentionally obscured (probably by a mini blind with a bright light shinning through). Things like blinds, plants, or other objects used to cast shadows on a subject are call GOBOS for “go between" or “goes before optics”

You can also use other things to partially obscure your subject – things like clothing…

foliage, or other objects foliage, or other objects. Here, the subject is framed by the plants and the aperture is open to minimize the depth of field, thus “blurring” the foreground and background.

While straight horizontals and verticals can add stability to an image, sometimes your image may need to be “unstable” as in this acrobatic shot. The tilting of the camera adds more energy to this image. Obviously, the arrested movement is possible through use of a fast shutter speed (1/250 – 1/500)

In this example, the subject on the phone and the people in the center background are not moving – thus they appear “frozen” while the slow shutter speed captures the blurred movement of people who are walking. The camera is on a tripod with slow shutter (1/8 second)

Another example contrasting a stationary subject and a moving subject.

In the shot on the right, an off-camera fan is probably used to set the hair in motion and it is “frozen” with a fast shutter speed. This is a common trick of studio and location fashion shoots. Also note the effects of choosing to frame the subject in a horizontal verses a horizontal frame.

Consider using “props” to enliven your shot Consider using “props” to enliven your shot. In this image, the bubble becomes as important, or more important than the model.