Focal Point April 2011 | Page 3

THE ART OF PORTRAITURE – Sam Moffa When photographing individual people you need to know why you are photographing them . You have to find out the reason they need this portrait . This will guide you in corrective techniques , posing , and lighting The successful portrait photographer realizes that his principal aim is to obtain characteristic likenesses of his subjects . At the same time , however , he must temper reality with flattery . The portraitist does this by combining judicious posing , suitable lighting and appropriate choice of camera angle . Although each situation in portraiture is different from all others , the following suggestions for

Prominent forehead Round or fat face
Thin Face Wrinkly face , deep lines
Blemishes or scars Long nose
Narrow chin Baldness
Double chin
Prominent ears
Glasses
Deep set eyes
Protruding eyes Heavy set figure
Tilt chin upward Lower camera angle Raise camera position Use short lighting Turn Face to ¾ position Lower main light Use broad light Use diffuse lighting Lower main light Use three-quarter pose Shadow problem areas or reposition Tilt chin upward Face directly towards lens Lower main light Lower camera position Tilt chin upward Lower camera position Screen to shield head Use no hair light Blend top of head with background tone Raise main light Tilt chin upward Use high camera angle Hide far ear behind head Keep near ear in shadow Consider profile view Tilt downward by elevating bows slightly Adjust fill light laterally Have subject raise or lower chind slightly Shoot with empty frames Lower main light Use lower lighting ratio Have subject look downward Use short lighting Use low key lighting Use dark clothing Vignette shoulders and body Blend body with background tone
Studio Space Rental
The proposal went to the HAC board to allow studio rental for a reasonable rate . Focal Point has proposed ( for various reasons ) that the rate should be $ 10.00 per hour for members . It was pointed out to the board that after our meeting we had decided as a group that none of the current members would be willing to pay more then $ 10.00 per hour in any event . After some discussion the matter was put to rest with the following stipulations ;
1 . Rental for nonmembers will be at a higher rate ( or the studio will only be rented to members ).
2 . This will be done on a trial basis for 6 months to see if it works for everyone .
Vote to approve or disapprove this will be next board meeting in May . Until then we have use of the studio on Wednesdays and Friday Nights when the HAC is open . Please consider coming out in May to support this .
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