© 2008 george garbeck portraits for young photographers — george garbeck

© 2008 George Garbeck

Portraits

for young photographers

— George Garbeck


What is a portrait?A portrait is a picture of a person, especially one showing the face. The person in the picture is called the SUBJECT.


The SubjectThe subject of a portrait can be a person but can also be an

animal or even one's self (self-portrait).


Multiple SubjectsPortraits can be have more than one subject.

It's nice when the subjects interact with one another.


Snapshot or Portrait?Shooting fast vs. planning things out

When you make a portrait you are in control. You decide how to pose your subject, where to pose your subject and what to include.

Which picture is a portrait?


Portrait or Snapshot?


The 2 types of Portraits

Candid

PosedWhat’s the difference?

Posed• Subject knows their picture

is being taken• Work with subject to create

pose• Take time to set up

lighting, background, etc.

Candid• Subject often not aware• You have to always be

looking around you• You have react quickly and

be lucky• Usually shot from a

distance


Posed vs. CandidPosed or Candid?


Decisions, Decisions, DecisionsTake the time to compose your picture.

Check the background for distracting elements.

Always be aware of where the light is coming from.

What’s the first rule of photography?


Horizontal or Vertical? Decide which way to

hold your camera.


Lighting is ImportantLight from different directions makes each picture different.

Always be aware of the light with any picture you’re taking.

Which lighting makes the girl look best?


Lighting is Very ImportantFlash is often too harsh and puts

a stark shadow behind the subject.

Direct sunlight can make your subject squint and not look nice.


Light SourceProfessional Photographers use fancy lighting equipment

when they shoot portraits.


The Best Light Source

You have the best light source for taking

portraits

RIGHT IN YOUR HOME

Can you guess

what it is?

Window Light


Positioning your Subject


Lighting is Very, Very ImportantSoft light (the light coming in from a window or indirect

sunlight) is often the most flattering light.

Photographer: Annie Leibovitz


How Much to Showclose up head & shoulders upper body full length


Pose your Subject

profile (side view)

3 quarter view (both eyes showing)

Front view


Say “Cheese”Sometimes you want

your subject to smile …

Sometimes you don’t!


Give Them Something to DoMake them feel comfortable so they look natural not stiff. Let them show

their individual spirit (happy, playful, serious, sad, grouchy, etc.)


Show What They DoPut your subject in a setting that shows who they are,

what they like or what work they do.


CommunicateA good portrait tells a story. It tells you something about the subject.

What do these portraits tell you about the subjects?

Photographers: Dorothea Lange, Annie Leibovitz


CommunicateA good portrait tells a story. It tells you something about the subject.

What do these portraits tell you about the subject?

Photographers: Yousuf Karsh, Steve McCurry


Your Future in Photography

Photographer: Richard Gheno

Young people who continue with digital photography can learn to do creative and amazing things with their portraits!

© 2008 george garbeck portraits for young photographers — george garbeck

Documents

subject slide

george garbeck lighting

george garbeck portraits

george garbeck decisions

george garbeck snapshot

george garbeck horizontal

view slide

distance slide