© 2008 george garbeck portraits for young photographers — george garbeck
TRANSCRIPT
© 2008 George Garbeck
Portraits
for young photographers
— George Garbeck
© 2008 George Garbeck
What is a portrait?A portrait is a picture of a person, especially one showing the face. The person in the picture is called the SUBJECT.
© 2008 George Garbeck
The SubjectThe subject of a portrait can be a person but can also be an
animal or even one's self (self-portrait).
© 2008 George Garbeck
Multiple SubjectsPortraits can be have more than one subject.
It's nice when the subjects interact with one another.
© 2008 George Garbeck
Snapshot or Portrait?Shooting fast vs. planning things out
When you make a portrait you are in control. You decide how to pose your subject, where to pose your subject and what to include.
Which picture is a portrait?
© 2008 George Garbeck
Portrait or Snapshot?
© 2008 George Garbeck
The 2 types of Portraits
Candid
PosedWhat’s the difference?
Posed• Subject knows their picture
is being taken• Work with subject to create
pose• Take time to set up
lighting, background, etc.
Candid• Subject often not aware• You have to always be
looking around you• You have react quickly and
be lucky• Usually shot from a
distance
© 2008 George Garbeck
Posed vs. CandidPosed or Candid?
© 2008 George Garbeck
Decisions, Decisions, DecisionsTake the time to compose your picture.
Check the background for distracting elements.
Always be aware of where the light is coming from.
What’s the first rule of photography?
© 2008 George Garbeck
Horizontal or Vertical? Decide which way to
hold your camera.
© 2008 George Garbeck
Lighting is ImportantLight from different directions makes each picture different.
Always be aware of the light with any picture you’re taking.
Which lighting makes the girl look best?
© 2008 George Garbeck
Lighting is Very ImportantFlash is often too harsh and puts
a stark shadow behind the subject.
Direct sunlight can make your subject squint and not look nice.
© 2008 George Garbeck
Light SourceProfessional Photographers use fancy lighting equipment
when they shoot portraits.
© 2008 George Garbeck
The Best Light Source
You have the best light source for taking
portraits
RIGHT IN YOUR HOME
Can you guess
what it is?
Window Light
© 2008 George Garbeck
Positioning your Subject
© 2008 George Garbeck
Lighting is Very, Very ImportantSoft light (the light coming in from a window or indirect
sunlight) is often the most flattering light.
Photographer: Annie Leibovitz
© 2008 George Garbeck
How Much to Showclose up head & shoulders upper body full length
© 2008 George Garbeck
Pose your Subject
profile (side view)
3 quarter view (both eyes showing)
Front view
© 2008 George Garbeck
Say “Cheese”Sometimes you want
your subject to smile …
Sometimes you don’t!
© 2008 George Garbeck
Give Them Something to DoMake them feel comfortable so they look natural not stiff. Let them show
their individual spirit (happy, playful, serious, sad, grouchy, etc.)
© 2008 George Garbeck
Show What They DoPut your subject in a setting that shows who they are,
what they like or what work they do.
© 2008 George Garbeck
CommunicateA good portrait tells a story. It tells you something about the subject.
What do these portraits tell you about the subjects?
Photographers: Dorothea Lange, Annie Leibovitz
© 2008 George Garbeck
CommunicateA good portrait tells a story. It tells you something about the subject.
What do these portraits tell you about the subject?
Photographers: Yousuf Karsh, Steve McCurry
© 2008 George Garbeck
Your Future in Photography
Photographer: Richard Gheno
Young people who continue with digital photography can learn to do creative and amazing things with their portraits!
© 2008 George Garbeck
© 2008 George Garbeck