When we think of photographing people, we automatically think of taking a portrait, but not all people photography is portraiture.

A portrait is (according to one dictionary definition) a painting, drawing or photograph of a person, often only the face or a description. A photographic portrait focuses on the person and attempts to convey an image of what or who the person is, whether physically, or perhaps spiritually or emotionally. There is also the group portrait, usually an image of a small number of people (such as a team or family portrait).

However, people can also be photographed in other ways, where the focus might not be the individuals being photographed, but the social or cultural context (fashion, news events, sporting events etc.) or their relationship to the scene in which they are placed. 

This course is designed for persons who already have some experience with photography to help them develop their ability to take better photographs of people.

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Photography and Human Subjects
2. Equipment and Materials for Photographing People
3. Basic Techniques
4. Portraiture
5. Wedding Photography
6. Candid Photography
7. Nude Photography
8. Sports, Street & Action Photography
9. Fashion Photography
10. Folio Project

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Identify resources that could improve your ability to photograph people, examining the principles of photography and also exploring the issues related to digital photography.
• Discuss the preparation for a photo shoot by exploring the different equipment and materials needed for a successful shoot. Also examine lighting a subject within a studio setting and explores digital photography issues
• Discuss techniques used for taking photos of people
• Improve your ability to shoot better portraiture photographs.
• Explain the issues and applications concerned with wedding photography.
• Take better candid photos of people.
• Describe how to take appropriate nude photos for different situations.
• Describe how to take action photos of people.
• Describe how to take better glamour and fashion photos.
• Compile a folio of people photography.