Underneath My Skin: Exploring Concept, Place and Metaphor in Portrait Photography

Students in this online class learn how to push their portrait-making, talk about their artistic process, and solidify a developed, unique style in the world of portrait photography.  We examine a wide range of photographers in order to better understand the complexities of the portrait-making process. We explore how place, the presence of gesture, and the subtle use of metaphors advance the depth of images, as well as how the process of making portraits can further propel one’s work conceptually.

Prerequisite: Intermediate: You are familiar with a camera, whether film or digital. You understand aperture, shutter speed, exposure, white balance, histograms, and how to control focus. You are comfortable editing and processing your images. You may want to learn how to utilize your camera in a more thoughtful and articulate way, or learn more about lighting or how to utilize theoretical concepts in relation to your portfolio of work.

Note: All camera formats are welcome (students must be able to know how to use their chosen camera). If students are using film cameras they need to be able to get film processed and scanned in enough time for their critiques in order to share their work with the class.