Name:__________________________Period:________
Date Assigned:_________ *Date Due:_________ *Date: Handed
In:_______
Photo Assignment 5: Studio Light Portraiture Exercise
Project Objectives:
• To read your in-lens light meter correctly and choose the appropriate aperture
and shutter speed for proper exposure.
• To focus the image sharply. (Focus on the eyes of your subject)
• To consider the format of the picture and holding the camera appropriately
(vertically or horizontally).
• To focus your attention and looking at light and shadow. Think about the
composition of your images and take into account the art elements and principles.
• To know the different types of studio lights and the different types of studio lighting arrangements.
• To know how to work with a reflected light meter to determine a correct fill light ratio.
Content:
The content of this assignment is broken into two sections:
1. Portraits: (26 exposures)
This series of photographs is about portraits created in the studio.
Not only will you capture the physical likeness of the person you are photographing, but also his/her
personality. I am looking for portraits that transcend the realm of snapshots. You need to know your
model and have a good idea on how to portray them. Think in advance about what he or she will
wear, how he or she will be posed. Bring any props you may wish to use; these items will help the
viewer about this person and who he/she is. Use props for at least half the roll. The more you
prepared you are, the better your shoot will go. A confident, assured photographer is capable of
putting his/her model at ease.
2. Self-Portraits: (10 exposures)
Think about how you can portray and express yourself visually. You should consider props,
costumes, location, expression, gesture and composition. All work should come together to
communicate a consistent message about who you are. Consider the photographs we have looked at
in class for inspiration.
Composition: Use the rule of thirds when it can be applied. Use the rule of thirds for at least ten of your
photos. Try photographing from a variety of angles (high, low, eye-level) and from a variety of distances
(close-up, medium shot, long shot). Create a balanced composition. Do not clutter your composition. Keep it
simple and crop out any non-essential things. You must compose through the camera viewfinder. You will be
required to print a full frame.
Technical:
Make sure your shot is in focus and properly exposed. Focus on the eyes of the person. Do not shoot below
125th of a second. Pose some of the images and take some as candid, informal portraits. Remember: Not all
shadows are bad. They can give the model dimension and form. Watch our for unflattering shadows (ex.
Dark bands around the eyes caused by heavy bangs or heavy shadow caused by the nose). Think about the
direction your light source is coming from. If you need to, move the light source or change the position of the
model or use a fill card to get rid of any unflattering shadows. Keep the model far enough away from the back
drop so that the shadow from the model falls off before it hits the drop. The model and you should stay
centered on the back drop. This will keep you from shooting of the drop. The optimum lens range for
portraiture is 85mm – 105mm, but a 50 mm will work fine. A wide angle lens, such as a 28mm or 24 mm, will
cause distortion in the facial features of the model if it is used in close proximity to the model.
•••• Keep a log of the aperture and shutter speed combinations you shoot both for the in-class shots
(total of 10 frames) and the out-of-class shots. You must turn this log in with your film.
All 36 Film/Digital Images must be completed with exposure log and handed in on the due date for 20 points.
Minus 10 points if late.
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