portraits - george garbeck

© 2008 George Garbeck

Portraitsfor 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 SubjectThe 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 SubjectsPortraits 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, 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 cardinal rule of photography?

© 2008 George Garbeck

Horizontal or Vertical?Decide which way to hold your camera.

© 2008 George Garbeck

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?

© 2008 George Garbeck

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.

© 2008 George Garbeck

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

sunlight) is often more flattering.

Photographer: Annie Leibovitz

© 2008 George Garbeck

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

© 2008 George Garbeck

Pose your Subject

profile (side view)

3 quarter view (both eyes showing)

Front view

© 2008 George Garbeck

Say “Cheese”Sometimes you want your subject to smile …

Sometimes you don’t!

© 2008 George Garbeck

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.)

© 2008 George Garbeck

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

what they like or what work they do.

© 2008 George Garbeck

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

© 2008 George Garbeck

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

© 2008 George Garbeck

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

© 2008 George Garbeck