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Course Syllabus

ART 2510 Portrait Photography

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Visual Art
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 3
  • Semesters Offered: TBA
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2031
  • End Semester: Summer 2032
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 12

Course Description

This photography course teaches students traditional and experimental methods in portraiture and self-portraiture. Students will explore the nature and meaning of photographic representation and the role portraiture plays in personal and cultural identity. Topics include camera operation, camera format, software image editing, use of natural and artificial lighting in the studio, fine art printing, exhibition presentation, historical and contemporary perspectives, and conceptual approaches used in making compelling portraits. Camera equipment is available for student use. A program fee is required.

Justification

Portraiture is one of the fundamental genres of photography and serves as a reflector of personal and cultural identity. This course will prepare students to transfer after completing their degree and will also aid them to work in the commercial portrait industry. A significant percentage of working photographers support themselves financially with portrait photography, it is considered the "bread and butter" of the photographic industry. This course is offered on campuses across the country in similar formats and throughout the USHE system.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. MATERIAL PROFICIENCY: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in materials as applied to a range of techniques used in the making of contemporary portrait photographs in the field, studio, and post-production.
  2. CONCEPTUAL PRINCIPLES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify conceptual principles including discernment between material, formal and conceptual issues, problem solving, and communication as applied to their creative process in self-portrait and portrait photography.
  3. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to discuss and apply historical examples to help contextualize their own portraits and the work of other photographers working across fine art and commercial portrait genres.
  4. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to critically analyze the creative process including materials, concepts, historical context, conceptual merit, and effective visual communication as it applies to contemporary and historical portrait photography.
  5. CREATIVE PROCESS: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to utilize the creative process as it applies to the making of photographic portraits using various modalities of production including research, image generation, narrative, and reflection.

Course Content

This course will include lectures, discussions, critiques, and applied projects as they apply to the following topics in photography: camera operation, various camera formats, the use of natural light, artificial lighting in the studio, shooting in the field on location, image editing software, fine art archival printing, exhibition presentation, historical and contemporary movements in photography, and analysis of contemporary portraiture. Students will complete a culminating final portfolio designed to build on their technical skill set and explore their personal creative practice.