Portraits and people photography
Time: 14:00 - 17:00
Location: PS - Photography Studio
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Course Code: VY658
Please choose a course date
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The course covers many of the practical aspects of photographic portraiture. You will be introduced to differing approaches to photographing people - from the studio-lit portrait, to street and documentary photography, to capturing fleeting personal moments for the family album. You'll get to grips with lighting, composition and the pose in various contexts, through practical work indoor and outdoors. You will learn to analyse professional photographs as well as your own work, and translate your ideas into visual compositions.
What will we cover?
- Using camera manual settings to achieve more effective results
- Lighting in the studio and on location, and natural lighting in photo reportage and documentary
- How to relax your subject and deal with strangers in the street
- Informal portraiture and social photography
- Considering how meaning is achieved and what a portrait can say in different contexts
- How composition and editing affect what you are saying
- Producing a mini portraiture project in your own time.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- present a varied selection of photographs of people, applying a variety of camera settings and lighting conditions
- photograph people with confidence and communicate with them appropriately in formal and informal situations
- produce portraits in a creative and expressive manner
- apply camera settings and lighting choices that are fit to purpose.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Ideal for those who have completed our 'Beginner's photography: stage 1' course. For those who haven't you are welcome but will need to understand ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance and how to change these on your digital SLR, bridge or film camera (i.e. not a point-and-shoot camera). You must have manual functions on your camera (i.e. be able to change the aperture and shutter speed settings).
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions in English, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information. You should be happy using numbers and be able to undertake simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The emphasis will be on practical work during and outside the class. We will look at and discuss photographs, and give and receive feedback on your own work and others’. There will be discussions, group work and individual mini-projects. While demonstrations and illustrated lectures will guide, advise and teach you, you will benefit from a positive group dynamic where you can share your images and ideas in a supportive environment.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will be expected to cover the costs of the materials you use. If using film, you will need to buy up to three rolls and pay for processing. Please bring a notebook (plain-paged A4) to collect images and write ideas in a visual diary, and your own SLR camera or equivalent. The City Lit has a range of digital SLR cameras, lenses, tripods and speedlights that you are welcome to use during the hours of the class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a whole range of creative and practical photography courses, from wildlife or fashion photography, to starting your own photography business. Browse the full list to get inspired.
Laura is a photographer, picture editor and photography tutor. She holds an MA in art photograpy and has over ten years of editorial experience from a range of roles. Laura currently works as a freelance photographer and picture editor, specializing in portraiture, travel and documentary photography. Her passion is visual storytelling - making images work together to create a meaningful narrative. Before moving to London Laura worked as a university lecturer in Finland, teaching photojournalism. For the last five years Laura has taught digital photography, lighting, image editing and documentary storytelling to adults from all backgrounds and levels. Her style of teaching has been described as clear, inspiring and approachable. "I think holding a camera is a super power. It makes you see the world from a different angle and pay attention to the smallest details. Learning the technical aspects of photography is really important, but it can be done in a fun and creative way."
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.