Project 2: The Human Form

Dates:

Proposal: Monday 11/8

Initial critique, graded: Monday, 11/22

Final critique, Wednesday, 12/1

COVID statement.

Vaccination greatly reduces risks associated with COVID.  

Photographing a model who is not wearing a mask carries additional risk of transmission. Please make sure that all persons in the lighting studio are wearing masks. Please open doors and windows to increase ventilation. Please be sure that you or your model do not have COVID symptoms. A mannequin may be used in place of a human subject. 

Alternative project. Alternatively, you may elect to do a second still life project instead. Please inform instructor of your plans by 11/8

Project Description

Create a body of work that explores the human form in a meaningful way. These can be portraits, abstractions of the body, theatrical, conceptual, or other. Work toward a cohesive group of images that are aesthetically and conceptually related. 

Your project should evidence at least two (2) shooting sessions per week. Plan to submit between 10-15 final images (jpegs 1200) and full resolution prints.

Create most appropriate studio lighting design to support your images. 

Work will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Original, inspiring, and creative idea/vision/approach
• Quality of lighting design
• Quality of photographic design
• Technical (camera, lighting, file management, etc.)
• Consistent weekly work and overall growth of the project
• Deliverables (prints, files, etc.)

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Assignment 10: Portraits with auxiliary light setup (hair lights and kicker)

Due: Monday 11/15

Create a multiple strobe lighting design with the following lights. Ratios are provided as suggested starting points. Don't forget to smile!

Document/photograph each light as you progressively add to the overall design, as shown in the pictures below.

1. Dark background/ low key
2. Main light...find optimal placement. Maintain for all shots. Build exposure around optimized f-stop. 
3. Fill light... start with 1:2 or 1:4 as desired/optimized
4. Hair light...1:2 or 1:4 as desired/optimized
5. Kicker (s). Use one kicker or two. For two kickers, use one per each side of the face. 1:2 or 1:4 as desired/optimized
6. Background light... create a spot (as in demo image) or a wash / gradient of light. Place brightness no lighter than middle gray. Use reflective meter reading of the background.

Short light for key, no fill

Add fill, 1:2 or 1:4

Add hair light, 1:2 or 1:4

Add kicker(s), 1:2 or 1:4

Add background. In this case the brightest part of the spot was 1:2 from key light