Objective 4: PortraitureA face devoid of love or grace, A hateful, hard, successful face,   A face with which a stone Would feel as thoroughly at easeAs were they old acquaintances,-- First time together thrown.

-- "A Portrait" by Emily Dickinson

A portrait is a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a person or object. Portraits are often simple head shots or mug shots and are not usually overly elaborate. The intent is to show the basic appearance of the person or object, and occasionally some artistic insight into his or her personality (if a person).

1. Types of Portraiture – Brainstorm activity:

• Family Graduation Anniversary• Weddings Reunions Business• Promotion Presentation Fashion• Art Etc…

2. Flatter the face:• -4 Basic Face Shapes:

• Square- wider low band (bottom of nose to chin)• Oval – “average” dimensions• Round – wide middle band (eyebrow to nose

bottom)• Triangular- wide top band (eyebrow line upwards)

Portrait Angles for Emphasis:

-Neutral Key (Angle) – Close up of face – does not correct any facial features

-High Key (Angle) – emphasizes upper band and eyes, shortens the neck

-Low Key (Angle) – emphasizes lower bands, neck, chin, mouth, shortens nose and forehead

3. Portrait Tips:• Strobist: On Photographing People: Pt. 1• Persistence - The difference between a ordinary portrait

and an exceptional portrait is how well you capture the essence of the subject. Take at least 50 images in hopes of yielding one that captures the essence of a subject's expression.

• Location - If you don't have or can't create a photo studio, concentrate on environmental portraiture. Show the subject and also his/her surroundings.

• Ensure that your subject(s) is/are comfortable.• Be the director. Don’t take the photo until you like what

you see. Arrange the limbs, head and eyes.• Give your portrait a “Hook”.• Don’t be afraid to get to close. As a rule closer

portraitures are more interesting and moving.

Portraiture Assignment:

- Take a series of portraits (20-25) photos of one subject: (an individual, a music band, a team, a couple, etc…)

Things to consider:

- Play with arrangement, lighting, background, and

angle to create a hook. Don’t get to complicated – the

focus is the person, animal, etc…

- Consider angle and key to flatter the subject.

- Work on capturing the subject’s essence.

Details:

- You will be working with your best 4 - 5 photos but have all

of your photos to show me (20 – 25).

- This is a homework assignment. Your subject may not

be someone in the class.

• Creative use of Background in Portraiture - Ryan McGinley]

• How to take a flattering portrait. [VIDEO]

• YouTube - Extreme (Photoshop) Makeover

• YouTube - Awesome Eyes in Photoshop

• YouTube - A Photoshop Reference: Portrait Retouching

• Annie Liebowitz Imagine - YouTube 6 parts of video