Ex 3.4: Outdoor portraits

On a bright day photograph a person in the sunshine. Do this outdoors in three stages. 
 

1. First, photograph them with your back to the sun. Write down the exposures and look at the issues involved in getting the person’s expression and pose right. 


2. Next, photograph the person with their back to the sun. Write down the exposures. If you can, look at the highlights and the shadow readings given from the spot metering. If you can’t set spot metering then you can still get some indication of the difference in brightness. Look to see if there’s burn-out – over-exposure of the hair or black shadow areas without any light at all. The contrast ratio will be very high – what do you think it is? 


3. Take the photograph again but this time use a reflector. Write down the reading that you get from the face and the contrast level. 


Picture No 1 - My back to the sun, f5.6 @ 1/1600th

The subject had a hard time looking at the camera because of the sun shining directly in his eyes.  He had to squint.  The sun produced hard shadows and emphasised his nose with an elongated shadow.




 Picture No 2 - Subject's back to the sun; f5.6 @ 1/500th

The image was easier on the subject but it meant that there were overall darker areas but not so pronounced as with the previous image.  There's significant burn out on the left side of the face (facing the subject) and still some darker shadows but not as heavy as when facing the sun.

 Picture No 3 - Subject's back to the sun with white reflector; f5.6 @ 1/400th

The reflector made it much easier to get a decent image as the white reflector threw white light on to the dark areas and lightened them considerably. 

Back to the sun with reflector

This picture is just to show that a simple card reflector produced enough white reflections to make a considerable difference to the image.

Ex 3.3: The night watch

Make some notes in your learning log about how the artist uses the elements listed above (background, pose, clothes, props, light). What effect does he create? What does the portrait say about Banning Cocq?

The Night Watch by Rembrandt

This picture seems to give importance to the man in the front with the red sash and the one beside him in cream.  Does this mean they are the leaders of this group or something else?Whatever, they are well spotlighted so they stand out.  The young woman beside them on the left is also lit up and must have some relevance to be so highlighted.  The main person in the portrait in the centre is bigger so does this make him more important that the other man in the cream suit? 

I get the impression that Banning Cocq is the most important person in this group since he is placed in the centre and is larger in size and stature than the other people in the picture.

Look particularly at the use of light and dark in this huge portrait. How might you create similar effects photographically?

The light in the picture emphasises what are considered to be the most important aspects of it.  If you wanted to get a similar effect in a photograph you would have to employ several spot lights shining at various strengths on those people.  To bring out the two front men you would need to have a spotlight in front of them brighter than the background lighting.  The woman/child on the left would need another separate spot light set at half strength so that she didn't stand out as much.

I wish that I'd had the chance to study fine art at school/further education as I always wonder what I'm missing when I look at a picture such as this.  I try to go round exhibitions, when I get the chance, as it fascinates me what hidden messages are being sent by the different aspects of dress, etc.

Ex 3.2: A self portrait

This exercise aims to develop your analytical skills in defining how to portray someone, but this time the subject is you.

Write 150 words about yourself and select a stance from this to bring to the camera.

In terms of lighting, etc., use a friend or family member to practise and then set the camera up on a tripod and either use a timer or ask someone to press the button when you tell them. It’s still your image – you set it up, did the posing, lighting, costume, hair, etc.

Produce three images that tell the viewer all about you – as you see yourself.

Now ask friends or colleagues what they think your strengths and weakness are. Ask them what defines your character to them, how they see you. Produce three images from your friends’ points of view.

Write the experience up in your learning log. Do the images coincide in terms of your own and your friends’ impressions of you? In other words, were you trying to photograph the ‘same’ person in each case or someone completely different? Then look again at the images and see if they coincide visually. Try and analyse your findings. 

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ME

I am a woman therefore I am never wrong or so I tell my husband who will often disagree with me.  I’m a good Crisis manager and can prioritise my actions.

Outside I appear strong, inside full of doubt and feel unable to carry through my thoughts and decisions.  I procrastinate a lot over things that don't grab my enthusiasm.  I can be weak willed and easily led astray by other people, but I call a spade a spade which some people say it a good thing, a strength, and others say it's not, it's a weakness, but everyone says that they know where they stand with me.  

I start things with best of intentions but don't always finish them or if I do complete a task I find that I rush it to get on with the next interesting item.  I've been told that I'm very competitive and want to come first in all things, except running.

Produce three images that tell the viewer all about you – as you see yourself

I'm a good friend

I enjoy Empowering silver surfers

Competitive

Now ask friends or colleagues what they think your strengths and weakness are. Ask them what defines your character to them, how they see you. Produce three images from your friends’ points of view. 

TBC.

Ex 3.1: Draw a portrait

Full-time photography students in many schools of art do this exercise in order to develop seeing ability. Yes, they all groan – but after they’ve finished they understand the crucial difference between looking and seeing. 

Set up a board with A3 paper. Then use a 2B or 4B pencil to sketch someone sitting in front of you. Do this in a good light (by a window or use a strong artificial light) to create some modelling aspects.

What are the characteristics of the person? How can you achieve a likeness?
Don’t worry if you feel you have no drawing ability – that’s not the issue here. Draw big – not small in the centre – and take time to space things correctly. Produce three portrait sketches. You’re a photography student so no one is expecting you to get a brilliant likeness – but some of you will. 

Photograph your results and put them in your learning log or blog together with your comments.

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Drawing or sketching is not my forte so I'm having difficulty with this exercise.  I'm going to have to cheat and use an iPad drawing app to complete both this exercise and the next one which is a self-portrait.  If I don't then I'll be stuck on this project and will have no chance of completing the assignment in the 2/3 months allocated.

I know it's cheating but it's the best I can do.

G&M Section 3 project work

Here's you'll find the exercises working towards assignment 3: similar but different.  This has really excited me as I thoroughly enjoy taking portraits, more so in natural light and natural settings but studio portraiture is as equally satisfying.