Lesson Title: Creating a Strong
Image with or without a Model
Lesson Description:
There are two main elements involved in an environmental portrait:
The subject and the environment. The following is an assignment I believe
is the best way to make you aware of these elements, and thus help you to
create a great image. Actually, this
assignment should also help you to “visualize” better as an
image maker, at the same time open your eyes to new “other”
subjects, and not just people. I was first
made aware of this when first starting my career. A creative director
saw one of my still life’s and told me she really like the mood,
lighting and the environment.... and, if I could put a model in that same
setting, she would give me a national ad to shoot for fashion. You
can see where I going with this. She made me aware of two (2)
things. One is I can keep the same style I was doing for my own work,
and apply it to all my images, even commercial work. The second point
is what applies here to this lesson, and what this assignment is about.
Create two (2) images: One that can stand on its own as a strong
still life or landscape. The other image, using that same location
but composed, to include a live subject. 
Lesson Requirements:
Your option. Some photographers story board or sketch, or do layouts of
their ideas, I do not. I may have a general idea, but in most cases my
personal shooting is more impulsive.
Lesson
Prerequisites: Use
film or Digital camera. If film is used then a scan is required to complete
and submit assignment. For a digital camera: computer, imaging
software. Lesson
Schedule: This PPA/PWS
Lesson Assignment will take you approximately six (6) hours from conception
to “striking the set” (clean up).
Grading Formula:
The key here is "Don't think technically. Think
aesthetically." 
Reference Material:
Books by Robert Farber: Images of Woman, Fashion Photography, Moods, The
Fashion Photographer, Farber Nudes, By The Sea, Classic Farber Nudes,
Natural Beauty, and Farber, American Moods.
Books by Arnald Newman: Arnold Newman’s Americans; One
Mind’s Eye; Faces U.S.A.; The Great British; Arnold Newman, Five
Decades; Artists: portraits from four decades.
Tips:
Keep your final image simple! Eliminate all non-essential items,
but remember what the subject is, why is it in your final image, and what
does it translate to the viewer?
Ideas:
Look for ideas all around you be aware of interesting compositions that
may exist right around your home or studio. Visit galleries and museums for
inspiration. Look at photography books as well as art books.
Use the internet to learn and view
images: Visit the Canon Digital Learning Center and
view the Explorers of Light Gallery at Photoworkshop.com for
inspiration. View
Sandisk Knowledge at Photoworkshop.com and see the contest winning
images: View the Adobe
Learning Center at Photoworkshop.com and see the Digital imaging
Competition winners. 
Copyright & Rights: Please adhere to
all the rules
and regulations of copyright with your images and the
copyright of others. Also, listen to the
audio interview on copyright with attorney Robert Cavallo in the Conference
Room at Photoworkshop.com.
Click here to view Storyteller
Bios. |
