10ART Portrait

Photography
Theme: Reveal/Conceal Identity
Name and Class Code:
What is Photography?

The art or practice of taking and

processing photographs.

Typically using a camera, not always.

Always the documentation of the

subject matter (what is in the
photographs) and the environment
(where is the photograph shot).

Sometimes there are obvious

manipulations, sometimes there are
none and the photographs are more
like recordings of a time and space.
What is a portrait?

A painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of

a person, usually one depicting only the face or
head and shoulders.

Some portrait photography aims to capture the

identity, personality, and essence of a subject
utilising photographic techniques such as
composition, lighting, and posing.

Some portrait photography does the complete

opposite and aims to hide the identity of the
subject, instead focusing on costume, props,
environment, pose and lighting to convey a
message about the subject.
 What is
figurative
photography?
Figurative photography is a type of
figure based art which features
people as its subject matter.

Similar to portrait photography,

figurative photography typically
captures human subjects in artistic
compositions.

However, figurative is different to

portrait because you generally see
much more of the figure, than the
face or the portrait of the sitter.
 You are going to create your own portrait that
reveals or conceals the identity of the sitter

Key things to remember:

• You need to have a person in your

photograph.

• Your person (the sitter) needs to be

revealing or concealing their identity in
some way. This can be with props or using
the environment you are photographing
in.

• You will be using your phones as your

camera and you will be working in pairs.

• This work is being assessed for your

reports.
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 1
Portrait and Figurative Photography
What are some common characteristics of portrait or
figurative photography?

What are some common characteristics of a ‘good’

photograph?

What are you trying to achieve with your photograph?

What is the aim or intention of your photoshoot?

What are some things you NEED to include in your

photographs? Create a list below:

What are some things you might want to include in your

photographs? Create a list below:
 Brooke Didonato (USA)

If you pick Brooke Didonato, you will need to:

- Hide the identity of the model/only show a very small part of the model’s face
- Put the model into funny, quirky positions within the environment of the
photograph
- Use props to hide the identity of the model
- Show more full body
- Consider your model’s costume/props carefully
- Consider the pose of the model carefully
Vivian Maier (USA)
If you pick Vivian Maier, you will need to:
- Use a lot of reflections within your photographs
- Use a lot of mirrors within your photographs
- Have your model not looking directly at the
camera/divert their look
- Use interesting angles to show perspective

You could:
- Include yourself
- Include shadows
Uta Barth (Germany)

If you pick Uta Barth, you will need to: You could:
- Show at least half of the face - Crop to a square
- Blur the backgrounds - Turn black and white
- Use limited colours - Include hands
- Include shadows and light patterns on surfaces
Glenn Busch (NZ) If you pick Glenn Busch, you will need to:
- Have the model stand front on to the camera
- Show the whole body and environment
- Focus on the pose of the model and how this links into the environment you are photographing
- may include props relating to your environment
Ralph Eugene Meatyard
(USA)
If you pick Meatyard, you
will need to:
- Use masks/props to
hide identity
- Use a natural or
wooded environment
- Consider using
silhouette
Greg Semu (Ex AvCol, NZ
Born, Samoan descent)

If you pick Greg Semu, you will need to:

- Have the model stand with a neutral background (plain wall, good lighting)
- Look directly to the camera
- Focus on the pose of the model
- Use culturally relevant props
- Please keep your clothes on!
Vicky Thomas (NZ Maori)

If you pick Vicki Thomas, you will need to:

- Have the model stand with a neutral background (plain wall, good lighting)
- Look directly to the camera
- Focus on the pose of the model, and focus on the cropping of the image.
- Use culturally relevant props
- Please don’t paint your whole face during school time! You can do this at home for home work if
you want to.
Your Tasks:

•Task 1: Complete the Portrait Photography

Research Page (1 lesson)
•Choose 2 artists you want to use in your photo
shoots.
•Task 2: Use the Artist Model Templates to research
2x Artist Models. Answer the questions in as much
detail as you can. (2 lessons, 1 per page)
•Task 3: In pairs, take a photoshoot based on your
two chosen artists. Remember to take a checklist
out with you when you are photographing. (2
lessons)
•Task 4: Choose your final portrait photograph that
is revealing or concealing the sitter. We should be
able to see who your artist models are and see
their influence in your work. (1 lesson)
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 2
Artist Model – Name: Brooke Didonato
Is this photographers work portraiture or
figurative? How can you tell?

What is the subject matter of these photographs?

(What can you see/identify in these images?) Write
a list of what you can see:

What are the key characteristics of the photos?

How will you use this artists style in your own

photographs?

What do you need to bring or use to create

photographs like these?
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 2
Artist Model – Name: Vivian Maier

Is this photographers work portraiture or

figurative? How can you tell?

What is the subject matter of these

photographs? (What can you see/identify in
these images?) Write a list of what you can
see:

What are the key characteristics of the photos?

How will you use this artists style in your own

photographs?

What do you need to bring or use to create

photographs like these?
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 2
Artist Model – Name: Uta Barth

Is this photographers work portraiture or

figurative? How can you tell?

What is the subject matter of these

photographs? (What can you see/identify
in these images?) Write a list of what you
can see:

What are the key characteristics of the

photos?

How will you use this artists style in your

own photographs?

What do you need to bring or use to

create photographs like these?
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 2
Artist Model – Name: Glenn Busch

Is this photographers work portraiture or

figurative? How can you tell?

What is the subject matter of these

photographs? (What can you see/identify in
these images?) Write a list of what you can
see:

What are the key characteristics of the

photos?

How will you use this artists style in your own

photographs?

What do you need to bring or use to create

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 2
Artist Model – Name: Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Is this photographers work portraiture or

figurative? How can you tell?

What is the subject matter of these photographs?

(What can you see/identify in these images?) Write
a list of what you can see:

What are the key characteristics of the photos?

How will you use this artists style in your own

photographs?

What do you need to bring or use to create

photographs like these?
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 2
Artist Model – Name: Greg Semu

Is this photographers work portraiture or figurative?

How can you tell?

What is the subject matter of these photographs?

(What can you see/identify in these images?) Write a
list of what you can see:

What are the key characteristics of the photos?

How will you use this artists style in your own

photographs?

What do you need to bring or use to create

photographs like these?
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 2
Artist Model – Name: Vicky Thomas

Is this photographers work portraiture or

figurative? How can you tell?

What is the subject matter of these photographs?

(What can you see/identify in these images?) Write
a list of what you can see:

What are the key characteristics of the photos?

How will you use this artists style in your own

photographs?

What do you need to bring or use to create

photographs like these?
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 3
Photo Shoot Images (24 different photos minimum)
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TASK 4
Chosen Portrait Photograph