35mm Location Portrait task

 New Task - New Design sheet.

Name the design sheet using your name at the front like this. This will be referred to as your main design sheet.

Teresa Green-35mm Location Portrait

As with all of these tasks, you need to write up your work diary style recording what you do in the order as you do it. Explain and name the equipment and materials you use and describe your processes. The descriptions and explanations in this design sheet should be concise using images as much as you can to evidence your activities and learning.

Over the last two sessions, you've been introduced to the Pentax K1000 and been shown how to load the film and set the controls for the ISO, aperture and shutter. You've been shown how to focus the camera and how to take light readings using the Kodak 18% grey card. With me, we've discussed...

• Exposure values and the Kodak rule for bright sunny days.
• The relationship between ISO, shutter speed and aperture.
• How each of the components of the exposure triangle are affected by changes and how these changes are discussed in terms of 'Stops'.

You've also been introduced to the concept of 'Objectivity' in Photography and some basic principles relating to composing people within the frame of the camera. Finally you've been shown how to unload the camera. 

Use my description above accompanied by images to explain what you've done so far.

The details - The skills and knowledge design sheet https://2024-2026.blogspot.com/2024/09/skills-knowledge-design-sheet.html

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In week one, you'll be guided with regards learning how to use the Pentax K1000 camera...

The initial shoot you'll be guided and told exactly what you need to do. You'll be shooting images of each other in an 'Objective' manner much like a Passport photograph. 

The images need to be shot in a systematic and consistent way from the same view-point with the same composition for each person. You will probably have 24 or 36 shots to use. You need to shoot a minimum of 6 different people. You're advised to shoot 12 of the shots using one composition "A" for instance cropped just below the hands with a gap above the head and "B" a head and shoulders crop again, making sure you leave a gap above the head (See below) 

In the first lesson with Natalie you'll be learning how to use and load film into the 35mm film cameras (Pentax's). You need to have £8.00 for HP5+ on Monday and come in before the session and pay for the film at reception using the pay in the code (see teams message). 

Working with Models

Working with models (professional practice). 

Composition and posing 

Composition is the placing of the subject within the frame when shooting pictures creating an aesthetically pleasing balance between the other elements within image. 

One of the first sessions you'll do on the course where you'll need to pose other people and work with composition is the session where you'll be shooting with the Pentax K1000 camera. You'll be given the task to shoot against a specific background and told to shoot your images composing them using 2 compositions. Shoot 12 shots one way using 4 or more models (People from your class) and then another 12 using your second composition.

Click on image for source

The top 2 are good choices

(A) Make sure you 'Crop' just below the hands and leave a small gap between the top of the frame and the models head.

(B) Make sure you crop just cutting into the arms either side and leaving a gap between the top of the head and the edge of the frame. 

In this first exercise we aim to produce an 'Objective' neutral image of each of the models we shoot. This is also referred to as 'Deadpan'.

The pose should be consistent for each of the sets of 12.

The model should not smile, they should not clench fists, they should look directly into the camera. 

No lanyards and if possible no labels or designs on the clothes. 

The approach to shooting the image should be as neutral as possible - so that anyone looking at it, has very little sense of who the person is.

This approach is influenced by set of historically important images shot by Thomas Ruff in the 1980's . Click the image below...

This approach is interesting when applied to different subjects where it's not the expected approach. The usual expectation of a portrait is to be far more subjective where there is an effort to show the character of the person in the image. This approach attempts to remove many of the usual conventions seen in portrait photography by using a systematic mechanical method seen in portrait photography. See here

 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7e2f0140f0b62302689b37/Photoguidance_v7.pdf

This Neutral, matter of fact, no drama approach is known as 'objective' and can be one of the ways that you approach any of your images of people in a range of situations. The lack of drama or narrative is added by the use of neutral flat light (Diffuse light) and a lack of colours in both the background and the clothing selected. 

If your stuck with ideas for poses in any shoots, this can be your go to method of getting started. I'd always recommend shooting some image in this way in most of your shoots involving people.