Full Day Class

Portrait photography is one of the classic methods of photographing people and recording them for history. Contrary to popular opinion, you don't have to spend a lot of money on equipment. Backgrounds are easy to make, home made lighting is easy to do... what's really required is the knowledge of how to create the set and understanding the placement of lights.

What You Will Learn:

• How aperture and shutter speed affect the image
• Effective (and ineffective) DIY lighting equipment
• How to build a portrait set for under $40
• Where to shop for DIY materials
• Metering and exposure (as they pertain to portrait photography)
• Setting custom white balance
• Why certain focal lengths are better than others
• Classic lighting styles
• Do's and don'ts of shooting people
• Traditional poses
• Differences between portrait styles
• Why portraits are different than snapshots
• Marketing and selling your work

For those who want to pursue portrait work and have taken the Defining Your Style class, this session is an excellent way to build your portfolio.

This class is a hands-on session with a combination of instructor led discussion/instruction and shooting time. There will be multiple sets with different types of lights available to use so that you learn how each affects the final photograph. Some of the lights you will learn to use are:

• Flash
• CFL Lights 
• Inexpensive strobe lights that were purchased off of Ebay
• Ambient light

Additionally, you will learn how to build your own bounces, diffusers, and scrims for a fraction of the price of professional equipment.

Why, then, do photographers purchase expensive, dedicated equipment? We'll also have a set ready with professional equipment so that you can see the added convenience, speed, and accuracy you CAN achieve with professional gear.

For the actual shooting time, you will work in small groups and take each others portraits. One of the most critical aspects of portraiture is the ability to get to know the subject and, only by being the subject yourself, will you start to learn how to direct your own clients.

Who Should Attend?

This class is open to anyone and everyone who is interested in this style of photography. There are no pre-requisites for this class but if you're not familiar with your camera, please make sure you bring your manual.

Required Camera and Gear:

Any camera type will do; digicams, hybrids, dSLRs, etc.

Note to dSLR users - you should have a lens in the 50mm-70mm range for best results. Why? Attend the class and find out!

Please be sure to read the Cancellation and Refund Policy . 

Finally...

This class traditionally fills up quickly. Don't delay registering if you are interested!