Notes:114-125

Shoot a Formal Portrait

• be prepared for the shoot in advance
• have someone there to assist you

1. place background close to wall, put a stool in front of the background for the subject to sit on
2. place the light about 45 degrees to the right of the subject
3. set the camera anywhere from 6-10 feet in front or your subect

• camera settings:
• shoot with a wide-open aperture to make the background out of focus
• this increases the shutter speed
• lighting:
• indoors: place one light at about a 45 degree angle on one side of subject and use a reflector on the opposite side
• outdoors: shoot in open shade

The Candid Portrait

• candid portraits capture a person going about everyday life and activities
• background gives context and meaning
• camera settings:
• choose a fast shutter speed to freeze action; 1/250 and higher

The Environment Portrait

• environment portraits use a subect's surroundings to help tell that person's story
• combination of a formal portrait and photojournalism
• camera settings:
• wide angle lenses

The Self Portrait

• in a self portrait you become your own subject
• can reveal as much or as little as you want about yourself

Notes

Action shots

• slower shutter speeds are used to take more blurry pictures
• faster shutter speeds are used to take more sharp and detailed pictures

Self Portrait

Portrait notes

early portrait photography:

• painted portraits were expensive
• revealed subjects personally

creating portrait photos:

• textures and shapes are less visible

Photo Essay