Creating Dynamic Portraits (The Environmental Portrait)
What differentiates an environmental portrait from a more standard portrait is the total freedom one has to manipulate all the elements going into the final image. The environmental portrait photographer is not necessarily looking for any sort of “truth” in the portrait or even any direct representation of what the subject really looks like. Instead, he has the complete freedom to create a truly inventive, interesting, and maybe even offbeat photograph.
Magazines often request this type of portrait when doing a story profiling an individual – they usually require that a picture of the subject accompany the text. What the magazine often wants is an image arresting enough that the viewer will stop and actually read the story. The job of the photographer, therefore, is to take an often ordinary face and location and magically transform them to something far more fascinating.
To achieve that end, the photographer has his bag of tricks to draw from. This includes lighting design, makeup, costuming, and props. Which lens and at which focal length, along with camera positioning, are critical elements as well. Also too is working with the subject to create dynamic poses and expressions. Finally, the subtle to extreme corrections and improvements that Adobe Photoshop allow, go a long way in completing the ideal final image.
This hands-on course will cover all elements of creating environmental portraits, and the students will participate in all aspects of the process. By its end, students’ competency as beginning or improved environmental portrait photographers will be evident in the images they have produced in class.
Magazines often request this type of portrait when doing a story profiling an individual – they usually require that a picture of the subject accompany the text. What the magazine often wants is an image arresting enough that the viewer will stop and actually read the story. The job of the photographer, therefore, is to take an often ordinary face and location and magically transform them to something far more fascinating.
To achieve that end, the photographer has his bag of tricks to draw from. This includes lighting design, makeup, costuming, and props. Which lens and at which focal length, along with camera positioning, are critical elements as well. Also too is working with the subject to create dynamic poses and expressions. Finally, the subtle to extreme corrections and improvements that Adobe Photoshop allow, go a long way in completing the ideal final image.
This hands-on course will cover all elements of creating environmental portraits, and the students will participate in all aspects of the process. By its end, students’ competency as beginning or improved environmental portrait photographers will be evident in the images they have produced in class.