Portrait assignment

Portrait assignment

Due March 25 -- handed in digitally. Include a short caption describing who your subject is.

One candid - this means NOT in the studio or in your back yard. It should be in a place that means something to the subject. Your subject at work or home doing "what they do," in a candid, unrehearsed moment.

One studio/posed portrait - here is where you can show off your studio, posing, and lighting skills. Feel free to include props to help illustrate your subject's interests.

Tips for the studio/posed shot
• Use small talk or music to put the subjects at ease.
• Try using a remote shutter release or cable release to maintain a connection (and eye contact) with the subject.
• Lighting is key: Think about if you want high key (few shadows) or low key (moody, dark lighting), or something in between (maybe using some kind of pattern).
• If you're setting up lighting, remember the standard three point lighting setup (key-fill-backlight). The key and fill should be at about a 45 degree angle off the camera. The fill should be about 1/3-1/2 the power the key. The backlight adds a halo affect around their head.
• You can also use "glamour" or "butterfly" lighting with the light in direct line of sight of the subject and camera, raised slightly above eye level (this really only works with soft light, hard light with this method won't be flattering).
• Usually soft light is best (especially for the fill light), but also consider hard light.
• Be on the lookout for locations that have interesting lighting without having to do any setup
• Sometimes a reflector is called for to add some fill light. You can use anything from a white sheet of paper, foam core, aluminum foil, or a (real) store-bought reflector. Attach to a stand for added control.
• Avoid busy backgrounds; Use open apertures and/or telephoto lenses to blur the background (a 50mm f1.8 is a nice portrait lens)
• To make your background more out of focus, pull your subject away from it.

Illustration assignment

Photo Illustration Assignment

Due April 15 -- handed in digitally. Include just a headline.

Your task is to illustrate a concept through photography, and, if you want, Photoshop.

Here are some ideas:
Crime on college campuses
College students trying to live on a small budget
Computer frustration
Avoiding the flu
Anger management
The stress of parenting
Kids playing too many video games
The challenge of dieting
Living environmentally conscious

You can take a concept and go to the next level: for example, with "Computer frustration," you could illustrate too much email spam and someone being frustrated by it (maybe someone buried under a pile of letters?). Then you could have a headline like, "How to keep from being buried in spam."

Think about these ideas from different angles and use wordplay. For example, for living on a budget, you could try to convey the concept of literally "pinching pennies." You get the idea. Use a visual metaphor (see p. 342 in the book) or an archetype (e.g., Mother Nature, knight in shining armor) as a visual shortcut.

Focus on not only your subject but also what colors and lighting you use. Does it call for high key light? Moody shadows? A backlit alley? You'll have to say a lot about an abstract concept for the reader very quickly and clearly.

Your background will also add to the mood of the scene. You can use a simple backdrop or even use a composition in Photoshop. Remember, if you use Photoshop, don't incorporate someone else's work.

Picking the right model and props will also be key. Make sure your props are accurate enough (if you need to fake it, that's fine if we don't notice!). Like a good actor in a movie, your model should make sense in the role.

See p. 345 for thinking creatively. Brainstorm with a friend or classmate. Play with words and puns. Don't rely on overdone cliches. Try to put a new spin on them.