Journal Notes 114-125

Camera Settings

• formal portrait=wide aperature to make background out of focus
• normal lenses= f/2 or f/2.8
• 35mm camera= 50-100mm range
• wide aperature increases the shutter speed
• shutter speed should be no slower than 1/60 of a second to avoid blinking

Lighting for Formal Portraits
Indoors

• one light at appx. 45 degree angle on one side of subject
• use a reflector such as white cardboard on other side of subject

Outdoors

• direct sunlight is NOT the best lighting for portraits
• open shade such as shadow of building or tree; avoid deep shade
• include the cloudless sky but not direct sunlight
• reflector anywhere between 3-6 ft. away from the subject
• cloudy days=great for photographing
• even lighting it provides is flaterring for portraits

Photo by:Gill Barker

The Candid Portrait

• capture a person going about everyday life and activities
• don't try to pose subject
• try to shoot subject without them noticing you
• inlcude subject's surroundings
• background gives context and meaning
• capture different moods
• take more time and more shots
• similar to family snapshots

Photo by: Phitar

Camera Settings

• faster shutter speed such as f/250 or higher so it freezes action
• you can use flash for candid portraits
• use flash, get close

The environmental Portrait

• uses a subject's surroundings to help tell that peron's story
• combination of formal portraits and photo journalism
• may be posed
• subject can be smaller part of image
• background is most important
• if background gives away biggest clues, background more prominent
• if background only provides a context or setting, subject more prominent
• try different set-ups and angles

Photo by:Wayne Rainey

Camera Settings

• wide-angle lenses
• zoom 28mm
• f/5.6 to f/8 or even f/11 for greater depth of a field= sharp and in focus

Retouch a Digital Portrait

• clone stamp tool
• healing brush

The Self Portrait

• you become your own subject
• reveal as much or as little as you want of your life
• choose setting
• in control
• tell a story about you

Enterprising

Self Portrait- How I Identify Myself

This is a photo of me on a Hornblower Cruise ship. I identify myself with where I live- the beautiful city of San Francisco

Journal Notes-Portraits

3 main types of portraits:

1. Taken by Dennis Walsh



2. Taken by: John B. Crane



3. Taken by Mallard Pond Studios

1. environmental   
2. candid
3. formal

Early Portrait Photgraphy

• Gaspard-Felix Tournachon (France, 1820-1910); first portrait photographer
• August Sander (Germany, 1876-1964); first environmental portrait photographer

Thinking Artistically

• value is important to consider (range of light and dark areas) --> attrract attention and help move our eyes through an image
• location of light source in an image to take advantage of light values
• subtle changes in value can produce a sense of depth in an image
• value can bring emotional content
• use value for emphasis
• Rule of thirds is important also

Shape and Form

• shape is critical (emphasizing subject)
• groups of people- geometrical shape (ex. triangle)

Camera Formats

• candid and environmental: 35mm cameras are perfect (fast to operate and respond quickly to subject's changing expressions)
• bigger the negative-the more detail captured
• medium format cameras- bigger negatives and ease/speed of operation

Film Speed

• Slow films (50-100 ISO) fine grained-capture more detail and smoother looking; good for formal portraits; use tripod; slow films=slow shutter speed
• Fast fimls (400-3200 ISO) more sensative to light; good for candid and environmental; coarser and doesn't capture fine details as well; handheld; fast films=fast shutter speed

Black and White or Color?

• black and white: can focus viewer's attention on subject
• eliminate certain distracting elements
• formal, serious quality or can suggest edgy energy
• color: carry feelings and impressions
• set a mood of energy with warm colors (red, orange, yellow)
• restful and calm mood: (blue, green)

Equipment Choices: Lenses for Portraits

• 24mm: distortion, too close, not flattering
• 50mm: less rounded and broad face, distortion decreases
• 100mm: most flattering; no distortion

Camera Accesories

• tripod: three-legged metal stand which you can mount camera on (steady camera, sharpen shots especially with slow shutter speed)
• cable release: flexible wire attached to cameras shutter release, other end has a plunger that lets you trip the shutter without touching the camera
• relfector: anything that will reflect light into shadows to lighten them for a flattering, 3-D portrait; standard full sheet of white mat/ foam-core board about 32X40 in. is perfect

Formal Portrait

• simplest portrait style and emphasizes person and nothing else
• person in front of neutral background
• can close-up or full-length

Julia Margaret Cameron (England, 1815-1879)

• self-taught Victorian photographer
• one of the first to approach photography as an art form
• long lasting effectg on the history of photography

Photo Essay

Here are the photos I chose to be apart of my photo essay- The Life of a Dancer

Career Photographer

Raphael Nadal, a famous tennis player. Captured by: Bob Martin

Bob Martin is an award-winning photographer that specializes in action shots and editorials. Bob has photographed every major sporting event within the last twenty years, including the winter and summer olympics and horse racing. He has traveled all over the world. Bob's photos have been published in numerous publications including: Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek, Life Magazine and the New York Times. He is a resident of England making him the only Sports Illustrated photographer based outside of the United States. His work has been recognized by over 53 awards internationally. In 2005, he won the award for "Sports Picture of the Year" in the World Press Photo Awards. Bob has chosen cake-factory to be the world-wide representative of his commerical and advertising work.

http://www.bobmartin.com/bob1.html

Career Photography Notes

Sports Photography

• the closer you are to your subject, the better
• familiarize yourself with the sport so you can position yourself correctly
• timing is key to capture action shots. If you see what is happening, you are too late
• focus on the athelete's faces and emotions
• it is recommended not to use flash
• if you choose to take an individual shot, shoot vertically
• if you choose to take a shot of multiple people, shoot horizontally
• a good element for this type of photography-rule of thirds