Portrait Photography

Hello MAATs

Aims:
1. To use portrait photography to explore the entire Newton community with empathy and compassion. 
2. To set up, shoot, edit and display one high quality portrait photograph of one member of the Newton staff in one of three recognisable portrait styles. 

So, the next session is going to be based around photography. The students chosen have been those identified by the Arts, Music and Theatre departments (names linked here).
 

The sessions are as follows: 

1. Introductory session (with Mr Fergusson and Mr Wim Bouden). Thursday 5th September, 1315 - 1355 (in the SUM)

Aim: To learn about three portrait styles (LaChappelle, Hockney, Bown) and practical skills behind portrait photography 

- DF/NR to set the student deadline for their proposal (who is your 'group', who will you shoot, where is your setting, when will you practice, what style have you chosen?)

LaChapelle: Stylistically, somewhere between glamour, fashion and environmental 
Features to aim for: Loud colours, art direction, a sense of fun and playfulness; the intention of many of these images is to play on the audience's perceptions of the subject. 

Marilyn Manson: best kept away from our children. 

British singer songwriter Elton John: famous for his decadent spending

Here's one they did earlier: MAAT project in St George's North, Buenos Aires.
Subject: Daniel, an "IT technician who hates kids", shot and edited by 3 Sixth Graders . 

Ho

ck

ney: Ab

stract

Another artist's collage portrait of David, as Hockney would have liked it. 

The artist's mother: again, this image was created from a
photos taken from varied angles and distances, arranged in collage. 

Jane Bown: Classical
Classical or Traditional portrait. Focus on the face, natural lighting, the intention is to create both a realistic impression of the subject and draw out the essence of their personality. This could be described as a reflection of the relationship between the photographer, the subject and the space.  

British playwright Samuel Beckett, by Jane Bown. 

Dennis Hopper, by Jane Bown.

2. Technical session (Mr Wim Bouden) Thursday 12th September, 0920 - 1040 (SUM)

Aim: To learn some of the technical skills required for portrait photos
This session will be run by professional portrait and street photographer Wim Bounden, who will identify key skills, share his experiences as a portrait photographer - including examples of his own work - and offer some practical suggestions. 

3. Practical session (with Mr Fergusson and Mr Riley) Thursday 26th September, 1300 - 1515ish

Aim: To run a portrait shoot with one member of the Newton staff. 
This is the session where you shoot your portraits, in the style of one of the chosen photographers (LaChappelle, Hockney, Bown). Student groups should be working independently, supported by Mr Bouden. Towards the end of the session, we should re-group in the SUM and do a first selection. 

Final session and Wim Bouden's exhibition - DF and NR to develop and print quality full size portraits for display during the IB Arts Evening. Wim Bouden to offer short evaluations for each of the portraits - and select a winner. Arts Evening, October 3rd, 1830... (subject to confirmation)

That's that. Let's make this good guys.  

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And because blog space is free, here are my own two favourite portraits:

Maia, in Arequipa 

Leah, in Buenos Aires