Portraits
for young photographers
— George Garbeck
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© 2008 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.
© 2008 George Garbeck
The Subject
The subject of a portrait can be a person but can also be an
animal or even one's self (self-portrait).
© 2008 George Garbeck
Multiple Subjects
Portraits can be have more than one subject.
It's nice when the subjects interact with one another.
© 2008 George Garbeck
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?
© 2008 George Garbeck
Portrait or Snapshot?
© 2008 George Garbeck
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Take 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 cardinal rule of photography?
© 2008 George Garbeck
Horizontal or Vertical?
Decide which way to
hold your camera.
© 2008 George Garbeck
Lighting is Important
Light 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?
© 2008 George Garbeck
Lighting is Very Important
Flash is often too harsh and puts
a stark shadow behind the
subject.
Direct sunlight can make your
subject squint and not look nice.
© 2008 George Garbeck
Lighting is Very, Very Important
Soft light (the light coming in from a window or indirect
sunlight) is often more flattering.
Photographer: Annie Leibovitz
© 2008 George Garbeck
How Much to Show
close up
head & shoulders
upper body
full length
© 2008 George Garbeck
Pose your Subject
profile
(side view)
Front view
3 quarter view
(both eyes showing)
© 2008 George Garbeck
Say “Cheese”
Sometimes you want
your subject to smile …
Sometimes you don’t!
© 2008 George Garbeck
Give Them Something to Do
Make them feel comfortable so they look natural not stiff. Let them show
their individual spirit (happy, playful, serious, sad, grouchy, etc.)
© 2008 George Garbeck
Show What They Do
Put your subject in a setting that shows who they are,
what they like or what work they do.
© 2008 George Garbeck
Communicate
A 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
© 2008 George Garbeck
Communicate
A 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
© 2008 George Garbeck
Your Future in Photography
Young people who continue with digital photography can learn to do
creative and amazing things with their portraits!
Photographer: Richard Gheno
© 2008 George Garbeck
© 2008 George Garbeck
© 2008 George Garbeck