Hello all! First, today we’ll briefly discuss your thoughts on the conversation around the AI project.
I also want to take some time to look at the World Press Photo award winners, which were announced today.
Portraiture
When it comes to portraits in photojournalism, we’re not talking about a stylized fine art portrait or a studio portrait. In news photography, portrait shots usually involve showing people in their usual environment, like a small business owner in his shop, a surgeon in her operating room, or a politician meeting with constituents in their district or on the campaign trail.
Some portraits are posed, and others are candid. Lighting is often impactful, and the setting and details help the reader place the person in the context of their story.
Environmental Portraits
At a glance, what do we know about this person? What sort of story does this image tell? Why do you think the photographer made the decision to photograph him like this? Would another approach have been as effective?
Here are some more environmental portraits.
What are some things we can infer about the person or people being photographed in these images? What are some of the tells? (What they’re wearing? What they’re holding? Their surroundings? The expression on their face?) What do you think might be the tone of the story? (Lighthearted? Serious? Heartbreaking? Inspiring?)
What clues or information does the framing/composition of the image give us? Are we looking up at the subject or looking down? Does that make them seem more imposing, or make them seem vulnerable, or allow for a more interesting composition?
So when you’re thinking about taking portraits of someone for a profile type of story, or as part of a larger, broader story, make sure you’re thinking about when and where you can get the best, most telling shots. Sometimes this involves doing crazy things, like waking up at 4:30 in the morning to meet someone whose job is making bagels. One NYT staff photographer, Todd Heisler, had this to say: “There’s nothing worse than knowing that I want to make photographs about what somebody’s day is like, and I show up and they say, ‘Well, I cleared all my activities for the day so we could spend time together.’ Then, it’s somebody sitting on the couch all day, which is not what I want.”
The NYT did this portrait series featuring all different kinds of essential workers.
Here are the 2023 winners of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) awards for the portrait/personality category and portrait series category.
More advice from Heisler:
Questions to Ask Yourself During the Photo Shoot
- Where specifically might the photographs happen? Once Mr. Heisler gets on location, he said, he thinks about framing, composition, and, most important, lighting. He asks himself: “If it’s a portrait, where would I put them? How does the light hit their face?” And he asks his subjects: “Where are you comfortable? What is meaningful to you?”If possible, you might take some photos in the environment from different perspectives before the subject arrives. Remember, every item matters in an environmental portrait, so move things you don’t want in the shot out of the way. Try also to keep an eye on what’s in the background so that nothing appears to be sticking out of the subject’s head.
- How can I make my subject comfortable? As Mr. Heisler phrased it in our webinar: “Showing up, I’m a stranger, coming into this strange place. You have to get in with people.”Once your subject is in the perfect spot, put your camera down and talk to him or her. What’s the person’s story? Can you find something you have in common to talk about? Then start shooting while you continue to talk to your subject. Take photos when he or she is thinking of an answer to a question, or laughing. You’re trying to get the person to relax and enjoy the process while you capture genuine expressions that feel comfortable, not forced. And, remember, you are in charge. Your subject will be trusting you to tell him or her if something doesn’t look right. Don’t be afraid to ask your subject to move, but don’t touch the person. Show directions by using hand gestures.
- How can I tell the story of this person? Mr. Heisler suggests thinking about this in a variety of ways. “If this is something where I can tell the story in multiple photographs, I’m thinking about details. I’m thinking about, ‘What is a sense of place?’ … And then moving in a little closer, ‘What is the person like?’ And trying to find some expression, or a moment: some action.” (See how Mr. Heisler strikes that balance in the article “A Rock Star’s Next Act: Making Montana a Skateboarding Oasis.” He said he made sure to capture the scenery surrounding the skate park because the location, Montana, was an important part of the story.)
- Consider how you can use the compositional techniques you learned to bring out your subject’s personality. For example, if your subject is a woodworker, maybe you want to have some close-ups of the person’s hands doing their craft. If the person is an important community member, you can make him or her look powerful by shooting with a worm’s eye angle.
- How can I keep my photographs interesting? Take lots of shots and move around, Mr. Heisler suggests. “Try to make a photograph in a way you’re not used to doing it,” he said. “If you’re used to hitting something from a certain angle, get up and try it from the other side and just see how the light plays.”
Homework Assignment
Shoot one environmental portrait. Post it on the class blog with a caption by class time on Tuesday.
(Note: This doesn’t mean shoot only one image and call it a day. This means shoot as many photos as it takes for you to be happy with the final shot you select and submit. Play around with the light. Play around with different angles. Play around with props.)
This portrait can be of any subject: a person you encounter on the street, a friend, a partner, someone who works in your neighborhood, someone who works at Baruch. If you want to use this mini assignment as an opportunity to be efficient and get another great shot for your photo essay, you’re welcome to do that, and you can eventually include that shot in your finished piece.