Creative Photography and Conceptual Portrait
A course by Felix Hernandez DreamphographyPhotographer and Creative Director
A course by Felix Hernandez Dreamphography, Photographer and Creative Director
Learn to tell stories using the language of lighting and retouching with Photoshop
In the world of photography, creating a concept is as important as mastering the technique. Photographer and graphic designer Félix Hernández is here to help you do just that so you can explore your own personal vision and achieve unique, impactful results.
Félix is internationally known for his miniature creations, which he explores in another one of his Domestika courses, Creative Studio Photography with Scale Models.
In this online course, immerse yourself in the world of conceptual studio portraits, using the language of light as a common thread to create dazzling images.
What will you learn in this online course?
34 lessons & 7 downloads
Introduction to the concept
2 minutes, 31 seconds
Creation of the 3 photographic concepts
22 minutes, 21 seconds
Knowing the studio flashes and their modifiers
19 minutes, 45 seconds
Understanding the language of light I
9 minutes, 16 seconds
Understanding the language of light II
14 minutes, 21 seconds
Camera, lenses and casting
5 minutes, 46 seconds
What's included in this course?
Get started by learning about Félix, his career, and his influences before discussing the importance of developing a solid concept for your images.
In the pre-production phase, Félix reviews the equipment needed for the project with special emphasis on studio flashes and modifiers. See how to develop your ideas, choose your models, and prepare a lighting scheme.
Once on set, work with one, two, and three different sources of light to create your own scenes and photograph them.
After the photoshoot, Félix dives into the post-production process, explaining developing with Camera Raw; frequency separation, dodge and burn, and retouching with Photoshop; and color grading with Nik Collection. Then, see how to merge several images to increase the resolution and explore three different processes for creating images in black and white.
Wrap up the course by learning to export your images in art quality and how to optimize them for sharing on social media.
What is this course's project?
Complete three photographic projects using one, two, and three studio flashes for lighting.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Professional or amateur photographers and anyone interested in finding their own photographic style by exploring the conceptual possibilities of images.
Requirements and materials
Knowing how to use your camera in manual mode is recommended, as well as basic knowledge of Photoshop.
You need a 35mm camera, a 50mm or larger lens, a tripod, and three studio flashes or speedlights. In addition, you also need modifiers such as beauty dishes, softboxes, and umbrellas; a background; a model; and a wide variety of props, and a computer with Photoshop and Nik Collection software.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
Un gran curso, con información y técnicas realmente valiosas.
- 1 year ago
Admiro mucho el trabajo de Felix, este curso junto con los otros que hay en la plataforma me gustaron y me permitieron acercarme al trabajo de uno de los fotógrafos que más admiro.
- remojo317PLUS2 years ago
ESte curso me ha encantado ,al igual que los otros que realice con Felix A. Hdez. Presenta un contenido interesante de manera muy didactica. Los recomiendo todos.
- njgomez182PLUS2 years ago
super completo
- 2 years ago
개념 인물 사진의 구성 아이디어를 배울수 있어 좋아요
In addition, he is the director of the creative agency Proyecto Matatema and the photography studio Hernandez Dreamphography, where he carries out creative projects for national and international brands including Audi Germany, Audi Middle East, Volkswagen, Nickelodeon, Wilson México, and Jungle Island Miami. He has also participated as a judge at the Handam International Photography Awards in Dubai and at the Art Directors Club in New York, which go hand in hand with conferences and workshops that he gives in different parts of the world.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Creation of the concept
- Introduction to the concept
- Creation of the 3 photographic concepts
- U3
The light
- Knowing the studio flashes and their modifiers
- Understanding the language of light I
- Understanding the language of light II
- U4
Preproduction
- Camera, lenses and casting
- Pre-production Scene 1
- Pre-production Scene 2
- Pre-production Scene 3
- U5
Production
- Urban warrior: 1 flash
- My name is Flor: 2 flashes
- From my window: 3 flashes I
- From my Window: 3 flashes II
- U6
Postproduction Scene 1
- Image selection and raw development
- Frequency separation I
- Frequency separation II
- Makeup
- Wheathereado
- Replacement of the background
- Dodge & Burn
- Details
- Color grading I
- Color grading II
- Extra scene 1: Mash up of 3 images I
- Extra scene 1: Mash up of 3 images II
- U7
Postproduction Scene 2
- Black and white with Raw
- Black and white with Photoshop
- Black and white with Nik
- Additional tips for black and white
- U8
Postproduction Scene 3: Digital output for different media
- Digital output for printing
- Digital output for art
- Digital output for social networks
- FP
Final project
- Conceptual portrait photography in studio
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Conceptual photography aims to convey ideas or emotions through images, focusing on message or symbolism rather than just visual representation, unlike traditional photography which emphasizes appearance.
Yes, the course is designed for photographers with intermediate knowledge who want to deepen their skills in conceptual techniques, art direction, and studio lighting.
You’ll need basic photography skills, a DSLR or mirrorless camera, access to editing software like Photoshop, and a willingness to experiment with lighting, props, and models.
You’ll learn how to develop visual concepts, create symbolic portraits, direct art in photography, manage studio lighting, work with models and props, and professionally edit images.
It starts with an idea or inspiration, followed by sketching, planning the scene, selecting props and models, adjusting lighting and composition, and finally editing the image to strengthen the message.
The course covers soft and hard light setups, use of beauty dishes, umbrellas, softboxes, color gels, and how to control the power and direction of studio flashes to create visual moods.
Basic Photoshop knowledge is recommended since the course teaches editing techniques like frequency separation, Dodge & Burn, background integration, and color grading.