10203126Advanced Portrait Photography
Course Information
Description
Explores diverse portrait applications including personal branding, professional headshots, pet portraits, model collaborations, and client-based sessions for individuals and groups. Through hands-on projects and guided client interactions, students refine their lighting, posing, communication techniques, and problem solving skills while developing the confidence and professionalism necessary to succeed in today’s competitive portrait photography market.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Establish pre-session expectations with clients
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Five client consultations
    Criteria
    Use a project notebook
    Document how the session images will be used
    Document client expectations using format specified by the instructor
    Images accurately interpret client requests
    Images reflect student’s individual style and creativity

  2. Control depth of field using aperture, distance, and focal length
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Super-Shallow Depth of Field
    Criteria
    Depth of field calculations are accurate
    Calculations are completed prior to photographing
    One image showcases depth of field less than 3 inches wide, single subject
    One image displays multiple subjects within depth of field and a blurred background
    Recite expected DoF using a 50mm lens at various distances and apertures

  3. Develop an editing process that reflects industry editing standards
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use Adobe Lightroom
    Edit subject features to enhance natural features
    Change subjects clothing colors in post production
    Automatically apply custom made editing to all captures taken during the same session

  4. Demonstrate real-world problem solving strategies when faced with unexpected circumstances
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Make it work
    Criteria
    Effectively evaluate client change request made during post consultation
    Make decision about requested change
    Incorporate change to client criteria
    Deliver consultation notes, image, and document requested change

  5. Use AI to isolate and edit sections of images (masking)
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Build AI presets
    Criteria
    Build 5 AI masks
    AI masks incorporate your personal editing style
    Combine masks into a repeatable AI based preset
    Use batch editing to apply these masks to an entire session
    Refine your use of AI tools throughout the course
    Editing process reflects industry editing standards

  6. Demonstrate portrait techniques on non-human subjects
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Pet Photography
    Criteria
    Portrait is of a non-human subject
    Use a minimum of two lights
    Isolate the subject from the background
    Capture subjects’ personality
    Portrait meets quality guidelines as specified by the instructor
    Refine your use of AI tools

  7. Control ambient light in portraits
    Assessment Strategies
    Two images
    Criteria
    Combine strobes and ambient light within each image
    Use shutter speed to increase and decrease the amount of ambient light in the image while maintaining proper exposure
    Each image is effectively exposed
    Final images meet guidelines as specified by the instructor
    Refine your use of AI tools

  8. Use the environment to provide visual details about your portrait subjects
    Assessment Strategies
    Peer image review
    Project: Environmental Portraits
    Criteria
    Photograph a subject in a non-studio setting
    Use composition and lighting techniques to include background and/or foreground elements without distracting from your subject
    Non-subject elements provide details about your subject
    Refine your use of AI tools

  9. Communicate effectively
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Listen effectively, showing interest in speaker
    Respond to speaker in industry-accepted language and terminology
    Convey meaning in speaking and writing
    Write so others accurately interpret and understand
    Speak so others accurately interpret and understand
    Read and comprehend