In this assignment, you are moving beyond snapshots and going to start taking portraits.
First and foremost is expression. It is most important. If the expression is off, a weird smile, or blinking eyes, the photo is next to useless.
How do you get a person to smile?
The simplest way is to compliment them by saying:
1. they have a wonderful smile
2. Their hair looks pretty
3. Some people tell a joke
4. If you cannot think of a joke, engage them in conversation.
5. Please do not tell you subject to smile or you will get a fake smile, or checkout Youtube.
6. Here is a link to getting your subject to squinch. The first is by Peter Hurley, a new York City headshot photographer.
The second link is from a doctor who talks about the mechanics of squinching.
Here is a link to a wikihow website on squinching, although they call it a Smize.
Here is a link to the video on extending your jaw.
Posing is how we stand, sit and present our self to the camera.
Most people (men and women) pose with their hands protecting the family jewels. They put their hands in front of their crotch. It makes you look insecure and weak. DON'T DO THAT!
Most people would like to look confident and slim in front of the camera. Here is link to one tip on looking more slender.
Turn your body at about 30 degree to the camera.
Turn your head towards the camera.
Here is a tip from Perter Hurley to present a more narrow profile to the camera and the result is you look more slender by pretending to hold a submarine sandwich..
Suppose you are photographing a couple where there is a huge height difference between each person. Here is how to reduce the height of the tall person, without resorting to surgery.
Here are a few more tips on posing for non-models.
Digital Photo School had a series of drawings on posing adults, kids, couples and groups.
Just a NOTE that a few images of women are suggestive, although nothing “naughty” is shown.
Finally, here are few suggestions on how to make others (non-models) feel comfortable in front of a camera.
The last thing to consider is lighting. For photographs of people, it is best to use diffuse lighting, so the subject’s face is evenly lit.
How do you get soft/diffuse light?
1. Shoot on a cloudy day
2. In any doorway to the school, like the entrance at the end of the Tech Wing.
3. In the classroom.
4. Almost any where inside the school. Remember to check your white balance.
5. If you are outside, on a sunny day, turn your back to the sun.
Take 5 or 6 photos of the following set ups and hand in the following:
✓ 3 head and shoulders shots, of a female class member
✓ 3 head and shoulders shots a male class member
✓ 2 shots from the waist up, either male or female
✓ 2 group shots (4 or more people) of class members
Ten (10) photos in total.
All photos you hand in must be photoshopped with the basic edits.