PHTO 213: Portraiture on Location

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: PHTO 101 or PHTO 202.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course explores a variety of portraiture genres including: editorial, beauty, corporate, headshots, family and event. The principles of portrait production will be executed utilizing lighting equipment for the professional photographer. Control of the quality, direction, intensity and ratio of light is practiced outdoors and on location. Study and direction of pose, gesture and body language is practiced while working with models. Material fee. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Represent an interpretation of elements observed in daily contact with people and the environment.
  • Produce a commercially viable product.
  • Develop techniques that help to maintain a good rapport with clientele and positive customer relations.
  • Demonstrate effective planning in approaching each project.
  • Describe and execute the commercial applications of studio and environmental portrait photography.

Major Course Content

  1. Selection of lenses for Portraiture
    1. 70-35mm
    2. Compression
    3. Distortion
  2. Lighting Equipment
    1. Speed light Flashes
    2. Continuous light
    3. On camera flash indoors and outdoors
    4. Off camera flash indoors and outdoors
    5. Reflectors indoors and outdoors
  3. Five Basic Lighting Techniques
    1. Rembrandt
    2. Loop
    3. Split
    4. Butterfly
    5. Backlight
  4. Lighting "Key"
    1. High key
    2. Low key
  5. Color temperature
    1. Kelvin temperature
    2. White balance
  6. Portraiture genres
    1. Editorial, beauty, corporate, headshots, family and event
    2. Photographing Babies or Small Children
    3. Photographing Adults
    4. Photographing Families and large groups
    5. Photographing Animals and Pets
  7. Post production
    1. Portrait workflow

Lab Content

  1. Downloading/Importing digital capture images
  2. Digital image manipulation
  3. Portrait workflow
  4. Ink jet printing
  5. Print presentation techniques
  6. Outdoor lighting techniques
  7. Different subject posing techniques
  8. Evaluate finished prints

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Portrait Photography by Don Blair and Peter Skinner The Art of Black & White Portrait Photography by Oscar Lozoya

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

3-4 page research paper on a contemporary or historical portrait photographer.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Photograph a group of 3-5 people outdoors in open shade, in sunlight and with a flash speedlight system.
Photograph an editorial portrait on location using portable strobe system or off camera speed lights.
Produce a series of actor's headshots using a continuous light source and the butterfly lighting technique.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab