Famous Portrait Photographers

Portrait Photographers/ Assignment

If you want to take truly memorable and moving photographs, you can learn something by studying the pictures of famous photographers. Some of the world's most beloved artists are deceased, but some are still delighting us with their photographs. The list below includes some of the more famous photographers that still impact our lives today.

Dianne Arbus

Richard Avedon 

Brassai (Guyla Halasz)

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Robert Frank 

Gertrude Kasebier

Yousuf Karsh  

Lisa Kristine 

Dorothea Lange

Annie Leibovitz

Jay Maisel

Mary-Ellen Mark

Steve McCurry

Irving Penn

Herb Ritts

Nicole Sherman   

Mario Testino

Jerry Uelsmann

 Part 1 ~ Group Presentation

• In Groups of 1 or 2 Pick your own partner. 
• Due on your assigned date (determined during class

(Please note: if you are in a group, you must make the extra step of evaluating your partner ~ask Ms. Echols for a partner-marking rubric)

Part 1 Criteria:

This assignment will have you present to the class a famous portrait photographer. This will mean that you will give a 5-10 minute presentation. You will need to present it in PowerPoint (or on the class blog), and you will include the following pertinent information:

• Name & age of the photographer (or when they were alive)
• Place of birth & brief background
• Why they are famous
• Describe their style/approach
• 10-15 images with the year each was created
• List (& link) at least 3 different sources

Part 1 Marking Rubric           

Portraiture	Emerging - 1	Developing - 2	Achieving - 3	Exceeding - 4
IMAGE & INFORMATION  QUALITY	~almost no criteria met  ~no images  and/or slides shown  are of poor quality	~Too few criteria met ~Images, and/or info of poor quality	~Enough images & information to capture photographer’s style and vision	~Excellent quality       images and info ~Diverse array of work
ORAL PRESENTATION	~Presenter is difficult to understand. ~No audio or visual aids.	~A bit difficult to Understand. ~Rushed. ~No time for questions. ~Reads out material with head down.	~Audience engaged. ~Presenter is audible & involved with class	~Audience is     spellbound. ~Student brought   props, activities,   games,   fireworks….basically   anything to wow   the audience!
PREPAREDNESS	~Needs help getting presentation started. ~Problems with technology.	~Not a smooth start to presentation. ~Class attention wanders. ~Waiting for links to load, buffering, etc.	~Presentation is smooth. ~Video content is available offline. ~Student asked for help beforehand.	~Impeccable   performance. ~Transitions are   smooth. ~Student(s) have done   a dry run through    before presenting. ~Sets up early on the   day of.

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Power Poses & Body Language

This video is a great resource for different types of "poses" when photographing people.

Homework:

1. Label & summarize all 10  moves she mentioned in your process journal.
2. Give an example of each from the internet.
3. Give an example of each of your OWN photo example. (Don't forget about composition!!!!!)(***Hint....SIMPLICITY is your friend***)

10 ways to get what you want through body language

Documentary on Body Language

This is really interesting...it applies to everyday life, but is also very helpful for photographing people.

Analyze the body language of powerful people as.....

World leaders battle over handshakes
Brittany Spears falls apart
Paris Hilton gets arrested

Click on the link below & answer the following questions
(write down in note-form as many points as possible):

Body Language Documentary

1. How do people demonstrate power?
2. What do people do when they are lying/feeling defensive?
3. How do people demonstrate then they are "welcoming"?
4. How does one show they are being authentic?
5. What percentage of communication is non-verbal?
6. How can you use what you learned from watching this documentary and apply it to your life as it is right now?

Aperture & Focal Length

Check out this informative Video & take notes (click on the link below):

Choosing the Right Lens Focal Length

How Focal Length Affects Viewing Angle:

Different focal lengths produce different viewing angles, which in turn create different images. In addition, different focal lengths also produce varying levels of perspective and depth of field. As focal length changes, the amount of subject captured by the lens (viewing angle) also changes. 

Lenses are typically grouped into 5 categories (you should familiarize yourself with these):

1) Ultra-Wide Angle (a.k.a. Fish-eye) lenses range from 14mm to 20mm

2) Wide Angle lenses range from 24mm to 35mm

3) Standard lenses range from 45mm to 70mm 

    (these are similar in field of view to the human eye)

4) Telephoto lenses range from 80mm to 300mm 

    (allow you to "zoom in" close & compress the background)

5) Ultra-Telephoto lenses consist of any focal length greater than 300mm

For more detailed information...check out the link below:

Understanding Focal Length

Aperture Review

1) Click on the link below & watch this quick video on aperture:

Ted Forbes on Aperture

2) Make flashcards (ask teacher for the handouts ~ 2 people per set)

3) Study the image below and then practice photography flashcards with a buddy:

4) In groups of 3, spend 30 minutes outside (10 min each) and take turns taking photos of each other. You will need the following:

• 1 camera
• 1 tripod
• 2 models
• Aperture Review Handout
• 1 pen or pencil

**note: I am looking for 1 SHALLOW D.O.F. photo and 1 DEEP D.O.F. photo. Demonstrate that you understand the difference between the two and how to achieve the correct affect. 

***RULE OF THUMB: using a telephoto lens will help enhance a shallow d.o.f. by compressing the background. A wide angle lends itself well to having everything in focus. For more information, check the "Aperture & Focal Length" blog posting under "Ms. Echols Examples & Assignments."

Annie Leibovitz ~ Life Through A Lense

Click on the link below:

Annie Liebovitz ~ Life Through a Lens

1) Watch this video and make detailed notes of everything that sounds significant to you

(minimum 1 full page)

2) Please create a visual response based on what you have learned from watching this video. 

3) Answer the following questions:

How does she get the "best possible pictures"?

What makes her such a great portrait photographer?

What stands out about her? What makes her different? 

Why do you think Ms. Echols is showing you this video now? 

Quote of the Day

Take a moment and write this quote down in your process journal:

"Don't worry about having to be the best.

Just worry about DOING your best."

~Anonymous