Sunday, August 29, 2010

Inspired by Rembrandt van Rijn; the side-lighting photo project / due Tues, Sept 7

- Shoot and print 3 portraits featuring side lighting. Convert the images to black & white in your computer.
- Standards: sharp focus, plain & dark background, adequate lighting and contrast. Print on typing paper.
- Place them in cardboard mats as found in crafts stores such as Michaels, Hobby Lobby. Please use 5X7 or 8X10.
- Due Tues, Sept 7. 15 pts.
- One portrait pose should be an imitation of a famous Rembrandt painting.

The Fine Arts Portrait Exhibit: your portraits will be mounted on a display panel in the cafeteria.


Be prepared to write an in-class essay: 200-word (or more) essay on the process and outcome of your project.
- What you did; what you learned.
- Offer both description and insight.


‘Rembrandt’ or ‘chiaroscuro’ lighting accentuates the focal point of the composition by bathing it in light and surrounding the focal point by darker recesses, says David Bennett.

The Italian word ‘chiaroscuro’ means light and dark, and the alternative name of ‘Rembrandt’ lighting comes from the fact that he created that lighting effect in a lot of his paintings and may be the finest artist to have used the technique.

The contrast between light and dark areas also accentuates the three-dimensional appearance of the subject.

This is traditional, timeless, lighting, says Belle Gerard. Your main light is about 45 degrees to the right of center - and slightly above your subject.

The key is to have the shadow created by the nose connect with the shadow on the far side of the face - creating a triangular highlight on the subject’s cheek.

Read a basic bio of Rembrandt van Rijn.



More info: trudeau11@gmail.com

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