Analogue portrait
The person in front of the camera. Light, connection and technique.
We work on studio portraiture with an analogue camera and studio flash: the light, the relationship with the subject and the technical decisions that make a portrait photograph.
The person in front of the camera
Photographing a person is different from photographing anything else. It’s not just the light, not just the technique. It’s the relationship. The way you approach, how you talk, how you make someone feel at ease in front of a lens. Without that, the best light in the world means nothing.
In this workshop we work in the Llumàtics studio: paper backgrounds, quality flash units and analogue camera. Each student takes turns as photographer and subject, and at the end we review the frames together.
Key contents
- Basic principles of artificial light: key light, fill light and background light
- Flash synchronisation with an analogue camera
- Light positioning: effects and moods
- The relationship with the subject: direction, communication and naturalness
- Composition and framing in portraiture
- Variations: full-length, half-body and close-up
What’s included
- Use of the studio: paper backgrounds, flash units, stands and light modifiers
- 35mm B&W roll
What to bring
- A 35mm analogue camera with flash synchronisation (PC sync or hot shoe). If your camera doesn’t have flash sync, check with us first.
Not included
- Model (available for +€50, or bring your own)
- Roll development (available as an add-on, +€20, or at the Film Development workshop)
- Paper prints of the frames (Darkroom Printing workshop)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring a model to the portrait workshop?
No. In the workshop each student takes turns as photographer and model. If you want a professional model, there is a €50 supplement.
What equipment is used?
Llumàtics' studio: paper backdrops, quality flashes and an analogue camera. You don't need to bring your own equipment.
What do you learn in analogue portrait?
Flash lighting, the relationship with and direction of the person in front of the camera, and the technical decisions that make a good portrait.
Workshop details
- Objective
- Photograph a person in the studio with analogue flash lighting, controlling exposure, colour temperature and the relationship with the subject.
- Methodology
- Studio practice in turns: each student photographs and acts as subject. Group review of the frames at the end.
- Outcome
- A roll of portraits exposed under studio conditions and an understanding of the process from light to relationship.
- Prerequisites
- Able to shoot in manual mode. Recommended to have done the Camera and Exposure workshop.
- Who it's for
- Analogue photographers who want to learn to work with artificial light and build a portrait session.
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