The Contemporary Portrait

Portraiture is a discipline that goes beyond the depiction of the human face. A great portrait portrays the spirit of its living sitter-and translates it into inanimate form. Observation is fundamental: if one does not observe, one is not aware. This course explores the art and psychology of photographing people, guiding students from the concepts of traditional portraiture into contemporary, conceptual approaches to the field. Through lectures, studio practice, and weekly critiques, participants learn how to use light, composition, gesture, and environment to reveal character, emotion, and narrative within a single image.

Course Level / 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.

Students are encouraged to review ICP's Classroom Disclaimer for current information regarding COVID-19 policies, classroom guidelines, and more. These policies are subject to change at anytime.

Courses are subject to minimum enrollment. Please register early, within five days of the start-date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation and to ensure you receive all course-related materials in time to prepare for class. Registration for this course will close one day prior to the start date of the course.

Fee Breakdown