269 – Portrait 2 – The Environmental Portrait

Points: 50

Assigned:  Tuesday, October 6,  2020

Due: Wednesday, October 14, 2020, by 10 pm (50 pts)

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.

You will photograph a stranger – and create a portrait. 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

Here is how it works.

  • PORTRAIT TWO – ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT – the setting of the photo should tell us something about the person. You should photograph one subject. Please don’t split your time among several different people. Get to know your subject and work on making the best photo possible of that person.

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.

For each portrait, tone and caption one photo. Please name your file so I know which portrait is which.(First portrait,second, third….)

GRADING

  • Use light in an aesthetically pleasing way
  • The setting, background, props tell us something about the subject
  • 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

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:

Your caption must also be entered in Photoshop or Photo Mechanic – this version, a standard AP style caption, MUST INCLUDE complete names, and anything other relevant information – date, where it was shot, etc.
For each portrait:
  • a minimum of 45 images
  • a minimum of 30 minutes taking photos

SUMMARY

  1. Two different portraits, of different strangers
  2. Portrait one, using window light is due February 25
  3. Portrait 3, an environmental portrait, due March 17
  4. Get complete AP caption
  5. Also, add a quote or description to the caption.