PH222: W3A1: Set Up


Discussion Assignment
Assignment 1: Portrait Exercise: Exploring your Possibilities on Location
Assignment Overview
In this exercise you will be shooting one subject in a ¾ length portrait, using a 3-light setup, and showing how versatile you can be on location. This week we discussed the differences between location and studio, and more importantly in regards to this exercise, location scouting. Location scouting is a key ability a photographer must possess to be successful. This ability allows you to identify, problem solve, and adapt to your specifically chosen environment to get the photograph you need.
Assignment Description
You will select and photograph a NEW subject on location using a 3-light setup.

To show your lighting scheme, you will be photographing your overall location lighting set up, the lighting equipment, and stands, using the light available (natural).
Assignment Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by finding a location that is suitable for this assignment and consider the following factors:
    • What time of day will the shoot be?
    • What are the overall aesthetic principles of the environment?
    • Is there electrical power?
    • What is the existing/available light?
    • Do you need permission to shoot here?
    • Students will be shooting this assignment outside of his/her home and/or studio.  This does not meet that you cannot shoot this assignment indoors, however it does have to be away from your usual studio and/or home.  Students are encouraged, however to shoot this assignment outdoors.
    • The use of battery powered strobe lights can be used; students may need to choose location based off of access to electricity; extension chords may be needed or to use a generator.
  2. Select a new model and travel to your location.
  3. Set up your lights.
    1. Students will be using a 3-light set-up.
      1. key light (from strobe w/ softbox or umbrella)
      2. fill light (from strobe w/ softbox or umbrella)
      3. hair or background light (hard light; use a grid or a snoot to direct light)
    2. Students are encouraged to review lighting scheme options from "Strobox.com":
      1. http://strobox.com/
  4. With your DSLR camera, using a wide-angle lens, shoot an image of your entire setup using the available light in the studio; include this image in your contact sheet. These images will be included in your contact sheet; ensure that your image shows a clear view of where the key light (strobe w/ softbox or shoot-through umbrella) was in relation to the subject.  Your image should also include your model within the shot and show where s/he was standing.  Ensure that your image shows where your lights were in relation to your subject:
    1. Determine your manual exposure settings with your handheld light meter.
      • Determine your ISO: Given the bright nature of your 3 strobe lights, an ISO of 100 is suggested. 
      • Determine your Shutter Speed: Given the fact that you're shooting with a strobe light, you want to avoid shooting with an shutter speed faster than 1/125th of a second. (Otherwise you'll see dark bands on the sides of your images with a faster shutter speed.)
      • Plug in your ISO and Shutter Speed information into your handheld light meter. Then, place the meter under your subject's chin and take a reading to determine the best aperture to shoot with. Take a photograph of your handheld light meter in use and include this image in your contact sheet. This image will be included in your contact sheet. Image should be similar to the shots below:
        •  

           Please note: If instructor is not able to read the information on the screen of your handheld light meter, you will not receive points for using it.
  6. Take a minimum of 36 images in which you explore your lighting setups, depth of field, lenses, locations, and poses.
    1. Be sure to adjust your composition as you shoot this assignment: shoot both wide and close-up shots (adjust your focal length); shoot both horizontal and vertical images; move from side to side (change your point of view) when you shoot different pictures.
  7. Choose the best 5 portraits for peer review. Choose your portraits based off of composition; try to ensure that all 5 of the images look different.  Name the photographs using the following naming convention:
    • PH222_W3_A1_lastname_firstinitial_portrait1.jpg
    • PH222_W3_A1_lastname_firstinitial_portrait2.jpg
    • PH222_W3_A1_lastname_firstinitial_portrait3.jpg
    • PH222_W3_A1_lastname_firstinitial_portrait4.jpg
    • PH222_W3_A1_lastname_firstinitial_portrait5.jpg
  8. Create a contact sheet and save the contact sheet as PH222_W3_A1_lastname_firstinitial_contactsheet.pdf.
  9. Submit 150 word essay about your photographic process into the discussion thread.
  10. Submit your contact sheet as a PDF (with your wide-angle image showing your lighting setup and image of your handheld light meter included in the contact sheet) and your edited images (JPEGs) in a ZIP file named PH222_W3_A1_lastname_firstinitial.zip to this Discussion Area by Week 3, Day 4.
  11. By Week 3, Day 5 comment and respond on 2 of your peers' portraits.
Assignment 1 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Submitted a lighting setup shot and five ¾ length portraits using required equipment and a 3-light setup that explore a variety of settings from your on location shoot.
  • Have correct exposure and demonstrate technical knowledge of camera and lighting control.
  • Exhibit creativity with angles and composition (moving camera and subject frequently to explore the angles).
  • Attention to line and other design elements.
  • Followed instructions and requirements for assignment.
40
Posted a contact sheet containing a minimum of 36 photographs made using required equipment and included a 150-word explanation about the photographic process.
15
Provided substantive feedback to at least two of your peers. Commented on the composition, subject, and lighting decisions in their photographs.
10
Total:
65
For assistance with any problems you may have when completing this assignment—OR—to offer your assistance to classmates, please use the Problems and Solutions Discussion area located through the left side navigation link.



    Arrow Use the Respond link to post responses and materials that pertain to this assignment. Use the Respond link beneath any existing postings to respond to them.

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