Description:

Students will create three portraits that balance ambient light with flash to achieve a dramatic effect. They may choose one of the following options:

1. Option 1: Photograph three different people in three different locations.

2. Option 2: Photograph one person in three different locations, with a different outfit for each location.

The portraits must demonstrate intentional lighting, creative composition, and technical mastery.

Learning Objectives

1. Students will learn to use natural light effectively in portrait photography.

2. Students will compose and capture three different shots of a subject to create visually cohesive vertical triptychs.

3. Students will refine their skills in cropping, framing, and composition to achieve balance and harmony in their work.

4. Students will edit and present three polished triptychs that demonstrate creativity and technical skill.

Essential Questions

• How does balancing ambient light with flash affect the mood and depth of a photograph?

• What techniques can be used to create a dramatic effect in portrait photography?

• How can the choice of location, subject, and outfit enhance the overall composition and story of a portrait?

• What challenges arise when working with mixed lighting, and how can they be overcome?

Big Ideas:

• Dramatic portraits rely on the effective combination of ambient light and flash to create depth, mood, and contrast.

• Understanding light direction and intensity is essential to controlling the visual impact of a photograph.

• Balancing natural and artificial light requires experimentation and technical proficiency.

Vocabulary

• Ambient Light: The natural or existing light in a scene before adding artificial sources.

• Flash: A burst of artificial light used to illuminate a subject, often synchronized with the camera.

• Fill Flash: A technique that uses flash to fill in shadows and balance the exposure.

• Light Direction: The angle at which light falls on the subject, affecting shadows and highlights.

• Diffusion: The process of softening light to reduce harsh shadows and create an even illumination.

• Color Temperature: The warmth or coolness of light, measured in Kelvin, influencing the tone of the image.

• Light Modifier: A tool (e.g., softbox, reflector) used to shape or soften the light.

• Dramatic Effect: A photographic style emphasizing strong contrasts, mood, and visual impact.

Links

• How to Balance Ambient Light Vs. Flash for Dramatic Effect

• Strobist: Lighting 101: Balancing Flash and Ambient, Pt 1

• Single Small Strobe Portrait Directly Into the Sun – ESSENTIALS For Photographers

• Balancing flash and ambient light

• How to Balance Flash and Ambient Light

• Strobist: SLC-2L-13: Shoot Through Your Sunset

Assignment Instructions:

• Planning and Preparation:

  1. Choose your subject(s) and decide whether to use Option 1 or Option 2.

  2. Scout three unique locations that provide interesting ambient lighting conditions (e.g., golden hour, low-light, or shaded environments).

  3. Plan how you will integrate flash with the ambient light to enhance the scene.

• Photography Session:

  1. Use a camera and external flash to capture your portraits.

  2. Experiment with flash power, angles, and modifiers (e.g., softbox, diffuser) to create a balance between the ambient light and the flash.

  3. Ensure the lighting complements the subject and the mood you wish to convey.

  4. Take multiple shots at each location to test different settings and compositions.

• Editing and Refinement:

  1. Select the best image from each location for your final portraits.

  2. Use editing software to adjust exposure, contrast, color temperature, and other settings to enhance the dramatic effect.

  3. Ensure consistency in quality and style across all three images.

• Presentation of Final Portraits:

  1. Submit your three final portraits as a cohesive series.

  2. Prepare a short artist statement describing your process, creative choices, and how you achieved the desired dramatic effect.

  3. Participate in a class critique to discuss your work and receive feedback.

Assessment Criteria:

1. • Lighting Technique:

     1. Effective use of ambient light and flash to create a balanced and dramatic effect.

     2. Skillful manipulation of light direction, intensity, and diffusion.

   • Creative Composition:

     1. Thoughtful framing, subject placement, and use of location.

     2. Integration of outfit, pose, and background to enhance the overall story.

   • Technical Proficiency:

     1. Proper exposure, focus, and post-processing techniques.

     2. Consistency in style and quality across all three portraits.

   • Presentation and Reflection:

     1. Quality of the final presentation and artist statement.

     2. Participation in class critique and ability to articulate creative and technical choices.

Extensions:

• Advanced students can explore additional lighting setups, such as using gels to add color to the flash or creating rim lighting effects.

• Students can create behind-the-scenes documentation (photos or video) of their lighting setup and workflow.

This unit emphasizes the technical and creative use of lighting to transform simple portraits into dramatic visual statements, preparing students for more advanced challenges in photographic composition and storytelling.

DUE DATES - March 10

Submissions

Standards

• VA2.CR.1: Develop and apply skills using various photographic techniques to plan and create works of art.

• VA2.CR.2: Create artwork through a process that demonstrates conceptual thinking and intentional problem-solving.

• VA2.RE.1: Reflect on the influence of photographic works in personal and cultural contexts.

• VA2.CN.1: Connect and apply photography to a personal, historical, or cultural perspective.