My favorite portrait photography class is starting next month.

Not sure if this is the proper forum, but it seems fitting. I am not spamming.

My favorite portrait photography class is being offered again starting next month. "Portraiture and the Art of Imitation" Students are assigned to shoot a portrait in the style of a famous photographer. Each week a different famous photographer is chosen by the instructor.

I learned a lot, made friends with the instructor and other students. It is taught online via zoom by Deborah Feingold. Google her. She has photographed many famous musicians and celebrities. Madonna, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Obama, Prince.

Here is the link to more info on the class:

https://school.icp.org …g-Ti9PnSIt-UBc9K15xBn3KBs

So do they first have you dissect out the characteristics of a particular photographer's style?
Or do they give you a generalized 'formula' to mimiic one person's style, and have you figure out how recreate that formula?

I would hope that Herman Leonard and Arnold Newman would be two of the photographers she would have you mimic.

Leonards jazz images are some o the very finest ever done.
http://hermanleonard.c​om

She announces the photographer and shows samples of their work. Discusses what aspects they were known for and makes suggestions on what to focus on. You do not necessarily have to do exact duplications. The idea is your photo is done in their style or their main style elements are incorporated into your style.

The first day of the class she asks students to bring in samples of their own work along with samples of photographers that inspire them. She will then select the photographer assignment. Each week students show their attempts to the group and then a new photographer is introduced for the next assignment.

My class had a mixture of students. Less experienced, a pro, hobbyists. I fell in the middle. There was one woman who did not have much experience, but her photos always came out amazing. She had a very creative eye.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #19284531
I would hope that Herman Leonard and Arnold Newman would be two of the photographers she would have you mimic.

Leonards jazz images are some o the very finest ever done.
http://hermanleonard.c​om

Agree. Leonard was an exceptional photographer who apprenticed under one of the greatest portrait photographers of all time.