Portrait Photography

Catalog description

This advanced level course investigates contemporary portrait photography and traditional and modern styles of photographic lighting. PHOTO 407 Portrait Photography (2) This advanced level course will investigate what portrait photography is and how portrait lighting evolved from the influences of early painting. Throughout the course there will be an ongoing investigation of the successes of historic, contemporary & influential photographers. Styles of photographic lighting will be explored as well as natural and artificial light sources. Why posing is important to portrait photography will be considered as well as how or when to suggest or direct a subject to acquire a pleasing pose will be examined and practiced. Theory will be applied and practiced by the student in environmental and studio locations. Through the study of character and expression, the student Portrait Photographer will introduce their style to portrait making. The course will enable the student to make intellectual and aesthetic choices when choosing appropriate equipment and technique, command the application of skillful lighting, develop sensitivities of interaction in prelude to the direction of the photo session and understand the incorporation of space or environment and it's relationship to the individual subject. A digital camera and a laptop computer with a copy of Adobe Photoshop installed are required.