PH323: W1A2: Set Up



Discussion Assignment 
Assignment 2: Genre Diversity
Assignment Overview
This week we investigated a few of the genres that belong to portraiture. As you learned in this week’s lectures, there are no set techniques that everyone follows to create any genre of photography. For that reason, it is beneficial that you learn the underlying concepts for each genre. One of the most important traits a photographer can posses is being able to transcend one genre and work in another. Adaptability and the ability to spread your talents over a wide range of photographic areas will benefit your portfolio, your reputation, and your career.

For this assignment (only) you will make photographs of the same subject using different sub-genres of portraiture. Consider how your approach to the subject will change in each case and how you will make use of pose, lighting, props, and environment in ways unique to each genre. You will also be writing a short essay on the genres you have chosen and reviewing your peers' work.
Assignment Description
In this assignment you will select three sub-genres of portrait photography from the list below and photograph the same subject applying an approach unique to each genre. You will need to vary the key components of each portrait so that it fits within the genre you have chosen.
You may choose from the following sub-genres; you may photograph one subject over the age of 18 for this assignment:

  • Retail (family portraits, maternity, engagement, weddings)
  • Editorial (magazine covers / stories, photojournalism story on one person)
  • Fashion (focusing clearly on clothing, hair, make-up - the person becomes a "prop" for the clothing so to speak)
  • Advertising (focusing clearly on product - the person becomes a "prop" for the object being advertised)
  • Character (a specific person in the community: police officer, teacher, coach, etc.)
Assignment Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Shoot at least fifteen photos of your subject for each genre.
      1. You will shoot 45 images total; 15 images for each of the three genres.
    1. Place your subject at least 6 feet in front of a plain paper backdrop.  Allow for the distance between your subject and the background to give your image a nice sense of shallow depth of field and more control over the light falling on your subject vs. the background.  
      1. Placing your subject 6 feet in front of a plain backdrop will be a requirement for all assignments.  Please ensure that you're working in a large enough space to do so.  In the past, students have worked in their garage, in their living rooms, etc.  This may require you to move furniture in your home in order to create a large enough space to work in.
    2. Create a different lighting scheme for each of the three genres.
      1. Use at least two strobe lights and two light modifiers for each genre.  Take wide-angle photographs of each of the three lighting schemes and include wide-angle image sin your contact sheet.  
      2. Ensure that all of the gear you are using is clearly displayed in the image.  When photographing a human model, ensure that your photo is clearly showing where your lights were in relation to the subject.  Please see the examples below: 

  1. Adjust your white balance manually using a gray card and the Kelvin Scale.
  2. Use your handheld light meter to take a meter reading; bracket your shots by adjusting the aperture where necessary. Take a photograph of your handheld light meter in use in your location and include the picture in your contact sheet. Ensure that the image clearly shows your settings on your hand-held light meter.
  • 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.
  1. Focal Length: Shoot a variety of wide-angle, medium length, and close up shots. 
  2. Composition: Shoot both horizontal and vertical shots.
Top Photos:

  1. Select one top photograph from each genre for critique and begin post-production on these three images; you will have three top photographs in total.
    1. Limit your post-production to shadows, highlights, white balance, exposure, lens vignetting, etc.  Avoid over editing; avoid editing your top photographs to the point where they appear to merely have a "filter" put on them, overly (or under) saturated images, etc.
  2. Save each of your top three images according to the genre: PH323_W1_A2_lastname_firstinitial_(name of genre).JPG (using the correct genre per image).
  3. Create a contact sheet of all of your photographs and save the contact sheet as PH323_W1_A2_lastname_firstinitial_contactsheet.PDF.
  4. Create a 150-word written statement summarizing the different genres you selected and describe how your images fit into each approach to portraiture.
  5. Submit the contact sheets, the final three photographs, and the written statement in a ZIP file named PH323_W1_A2_lastname_firstinitial.zip to this Discussion Area By Week 1, Day 5.
  6. By Week 1, Day 6, comment and respond on two of your peer's portraits.
Assignment 2 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Submitted three images using one subject in three different genres of portraiture that:
  • 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).
  • Show attention to composition and design elements.
  • Follow instructions and requirements for assignment.
30
Posted a contact sheet containing a minimum of forty-five (fifteen per genre) photographs; included image of handheld light meter in use; included images of all three lighting schemes clearly showing where lights were positioned in relation to subject; Included a 150-word explanation about the photographic process and portrait genres.
20
Provided substantive feedback to at least two of your peers. Commented on the composition, subject, and lighting decisions in their photographs.
5
Total:
55
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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