| The Multi-Form Portrait

Under the guidance of Smith Galtney, discover dynamic methods for connecting with portraiture subjects to acquire a wealth of raw materials to craft compelling, multi-faceted portraits.

In this age of limitless digital content, telling someone’s story frequently involves more than just one medium. Writers are often asked to get pictures, and photographers to record audio and video, and both are expected to engage with subjects in ways that are immediate, honest, and disarming.

This weeklong workshop involves lectures, readings, group discussions, critique, and fieldwork to explore the many ways artists and documentarians can connect with their subjects, gather a wealth of raw material, and create rich, multi-faceted portraits.

Students will learn

• effective interview techniques
• the different methods for audio vs. video interviews
• how to best approach potential subjects in public
• the ways in which time, attention, and patience result in compelling still portraits.

All will be put into practice when each student spends an uninterrupted 24 hours with a chosen subject, gathering as much information and detail to present in class afterward.

What to bring

Students must have a laptop, a small notebook, a tripod for their camera or iPhone, a camera that can shoot both stills and video, plus a separate device for recording audio.

 Please note: tripods and audio recorders are available for checkout through Maine Media. 

Due to time restrictions, students must also be technically adept with taking still photos and capturing video, as well as all necessary/preferred editing software (Lightroom, Premiere, etc). The foundation of audio recording will be covered, therefore students may have little to no prior experience with that specific form.

Students will leave with a wider skillset for fieldwork, a deeper understanding of what makes a moving portrait, and a keener sense of how various media complement each other.