1. Capturing Expressions and Emotions
Portraits
Capturing Expressions and Emotions

2. Captures a physical likeness but also their heart
What is a portrait?
Artistic representation of a person in which the face and expression are dominant
Captures a physical likeness but also their heart

3. Capturing the essence
Character traits are descriptive terms that represent a person both inside and out
Think of who you are and what you want to convey to the world. Remember “What’s My Brand?”

4. Some character traits to think about
active
adventurous
affectionate
alert
ambitious
angry
annoyed
anxious
arrogant
brainy
brave
bright
brilliant
calm
careful
careless
cautious
charming
decisive
demanding
dependable
depressed
determined
discouraged
dishonest
disrespectful
doubtful
gentle
giving
glamorous
gloomy
good
graceful
grateful
greedy
grouchy
* A complete list can be found here

5. Capturing the essence
Character traits should be very dominant in a well-composed portrait
What character traits do you think of when you see the following photos?

6. Playful
Witty
Mischievous

7. Eccentric
Intellectual
Peculiar

8. Pensive
Serious
Thoughtful

9. Intellectual
Conventional
Droll

10. Smitten
Delighted
Blissful

11. Mischievous
Impish
Rascally

12. Mischievous
Impish
Rascally

13. Portraits are a different animal
They are different from other kinds of photography because:
The photographer controls the setting
They are planned and staged
The photographer has knowledge of the subject and what character traits to convey

14. Portrait success musts
Meet with your subject ahead of time and get to know them
Have your equipment prepared in advance
Have a shot list in mind and ready with props, angles and lighting

15. Portrait composition musts
Avoid distracting backgrounds and watch subject placement
Poor
Better

16. Portrait composition musts
Make sure the background contrasts well with the subject and the mood
Good
Better

17. Portrait composition musts
POV can make or break your portrait
Good
Best
Better

18. Are angles important?
Shooting from above creates a feeling of weakness or inferiority
Shooting from below gives the subject a sense of power

19. Types of portraits: environmental
Environmental: shoot subject(s) in their habitat

20. Types of portraits: Prop
Shoot subject with an object of importance
Should help to communicate the desired character trait

21. Types of portraits: detail
Focus on one defining feature
Generally body part, like eyes, hair, smile

22. Yes, you get to take some portraits!

23. Amanda Crispino by Marisa Baumgarte

24. Robert DuBose by Jeremiah Burum

25. Cameron Burrell by Will Vest

26. Regan Rosser by Avery Condrey

27. Valentine Osigboh by CJ Smith

28. Miles Jordan by Jacob Harris

29. Amanda Miller by Taylor McKeown

30. Assignment: portraits
Phase 1: Ideation
1. Select a partner. You will take their photos and they will take yours
2. Interview your partner and brainstorm on three character traits and the three different types of portraits you will be shooting
3. Copy this table into Word and complete it. Title it [last name] ideation [class period] and submit it to Mr. Nigrelli via Google Drive by the end of class on Tuesday, February 7th

31. Assignment: portraits
Phase 2: Photography
1. You will have the rest of the week to shoot and edit your three portraits in class
2. You can utilize the school grounds (before/after school) or any part of my classroom – do not take more than one in the room
3. You can also shoot outside of school on your own time
Phase 3: Editing
Editing your photos can begin anytime you are ready
Save your photos to your H drive in your Photo J>portraits folder as [your last name] Environmental [class period] and turn in to Mr. Nigrelli via Google Drive by the end of class on Friday February 10th

32. Portraits grading rubric
Item
Possible Points
Proper naming 5
Clear character traits 15
All three properly composed portraits using proper rules 20
Quality editing
Photo quality 25
Overall quality and effort
Total
100