269 – The Portrait 1 – Window Light

Portrait Photography  Photographing ‘the other’

Distinct from much of what we do as journalists, the portrait is a posed, setup situation. This is a photo where you take control of all the elements – it uses a different creative part of your brain. Rather than reacting and interpreting real events you are creating the image by arranging and directing. 

Goal: To practice the art of portraiture. To practice building a relationship with a subject. To further consider how to compose and construct a compelling image.

**Remember to stay six-feet away and wear a mask. I would suggest using larger spaces for this – there are many locations on campus with big open spaces and large windows. **

You will photograph a stranger – and create a portrait. Your subject can be a friend of friend, but not someone you know well. Each subject must fit at least three of these criteria.

• More than five years older or younger than you
• Different gender identity
• Different race
• Different birth country
• Different native language
• Different socioeconomic status
• Different sexual orientation

This portrait must use window light as the primary light. I’d even encourage you to turn off other lights if you can. but look for a location with good bright light through a window. Portraits are posed. So you can take your subject somewhere at a time of your choosing to make the best photo.

GRADING

• Use window light in an aesthetically pleasing way
• Will be well framed and composed to make use of all the elements in the frame
• Demonstrate time and effort in the variety and number of images as well as the time spent with your subject
• A demonstration of understanding that a portrait is posed
• Technically well-done

• In addition to each portrait, you must get a quote or description or narrative from your subject IN ADDITION to a standard AP style caption. The text must come from your subject. It can be a direct quote, you can describe or paraphrase something you learn about them, they can tell you a favorite saying or quote that means something to them.

The idea is that you need to get to know your subject to make a photo that says something about who they are.

Your entire take of images (raws), along with your toned and captioned selections should be on the project server BEFORE the start of class. Make sure your files are organized using the method discussed in class. Your folder should look something like this: