Category Archives: Uncategorized

Filters

Author:
Category:

Portrait Project Introduction

General Definition:

Portrait photography or portraiture in photography is a photograph of a person or group of people that captures the personality of the subject by using effective lighting, backdrops, and poses. A portrait picture might be artistic, or it might be clinical, as part of a medical study.

Aim: To explore the different kinds and ways of acquiring portrait photos and what methods photographers use for different styles.

Types – 

TRADITIONAL PORTRAIT

“Face is the focus”

In this type of portrait photography, the object is supposed to look directly at the camera and the focus is on the face.

CANDID PORTRAIT

“Take as it is”

Candid portraits are generally the real and spontaneous images. Here the photographer has not much control on the surroundings and cannot alter the emotions.

POSED PORTRAIT

“Intentions have been conveyed”

Posed portrait means that the photographer has conveyed the intentions to the subject, by words or by action, and there needs to be a change of body position or expression.

ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT

“At objects own environment”

Environmental portrait means that you are photographing the object in its own environment, where it is comfortable most. Like an Engineer at his construction site,  farmer in the field etc.

FORMAL PORTRAIT

“Object with a formal pose”

This is a posed portrait, but with a formal touch, prepared for business and other formal occasions.

COUPLE PORTRAIT

“Highlighting the relation”

In this type of portrait the emphasis of the photographer is to show the intensity of the relation between the people in the photograph. For ex: The relation of child with his parents.

GLAMOUR PORTRAIT

“Highlight the appeal”

Taking portrait of the model is the best example of this, where you want to enhance the appeal of the object.

CLOSE UP PORTRAIT

“Get it close”

These are the images that are taken from very close, using zoom or macro lens.

Examples of some good portrait photographs/Mood Board –

William H. Macy photographed at Sundance Film Festival for Be A Star Anti-Bullying Campaign in partnership with WWE and The Creative Coalition

Image result for examples of portrait photography

Portraiture: Mood-board

1. TRADITIONAL PORTRAIT.

Traditional or Classical portraiture would refer to an image where face is the predominant element. The purpose of the photograph is to depict visual representation of that person. Subject is expected to be looking directly at the camera. With what is described as a head-shot, two thirds or full body framing can be used

2. ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT.

The term Environmental Portrait refers to an image where the subject is photographed in person’s natural environment. For example, a worker photographed at the construction zone, teacher in the classroom, sculptor in a sculpture studio and so on. Surroundings are used to compliment the subject and to emphasize his character. Subject and setting are chosen by the photographer.

4. CANDID PORTRAIT.

A candid portrait is taken without a subject expecting or acknowledging the photographer. This style used in photo journalism, travel photographystreet photography and event photography. As opposed to an environmental portrait this image is captured at the moment rather than set up.

5. GLAMOR PORTRAIT.

The term Glamor Portrait refers to portraits where emphasis is given to highlight the sexy romantic appeal of the subject. see : 5 ELEGANT LIGHTING SETUPS FOR MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY

6. LIFESTYLE PORTRAIT

The term Lifestyle Portrait refers to portraits where emphasis is given to suggest the “style of living” of the individuals depicted. Technically it is a combination of environmental portrait and candid portrait. More weight is given to communicate the feeling of life experience of the subject. Style has numerous implications in commercial and fine art photography. Editorial, fashion, pharmaceutical, and food industries often use lifestyle images to evoke emotions in viewers by depiction of desired life styles. It is common to see this style used in wedding and family portrait photography as well.

7. SURREAL PORTRAIT.

Surreal Portraits are created to emphasize the other reality. A depiction of a person’s interpreted subconscious mind. Surrealism is an art movement started in the early 1920‘s and still alive and well. In photography tricks and special effects are used to achieve a surreal look. 

8. CONCEPTUAL PORTRAIT.

Conceptual Portrait refers to images where concept adds a fourth dimension. The hidden meaning of the concept will leave the viewer guessing as it is often open for interpretation. Conceptual artists generally get offended when asked what did they mean in their photograph. It is the job of the viewer to decide. Conceptual Portraits are often used in advertising photography but concepts are much easier to understand.

9. ABSTRACT PORTRAIT.

Abstract portraits are created with a purpose of creating art and not based on realistic representation of a person. Collage or digital manipulation is often used.

Arnold Newman Image Analysis

ANALYSIS

Alifred Krupp

EMOTIONAL RESPONSE;

He gives off an unsettling feeling due to his intimidating look – the way he is looking at the camera and leaning on his hands. The initial emotion from this image is negative due to the way the man has come across, due to his expressions and the dark colour in the image.

TECHNIQUAL;

The camera was set at eye level, to be able to get a strong connection with the subject. The subject is centered to create a stronger look in the image as more symmetrical. There is also a large depth of field as there is a big background that is also within the frame and more or less in focus along with the main subject in the photo.

VISUAL;

There is an old man in the center, with little hair but the hair that remain is white/grey which shows the age of the man. His hands are clasped together and he is leaning on his elbows with his chin just resting on top of his knuckles. His eyes are penetrating into the camera lens, along side this his face as little expression in it, it is very neutral, almost like he is thinking/planning something. He is a faded dark grey suit which suggest he is important or dressed for an important event. The dark colours throughout the image suggest that there is something more deep and meaningful in this image that we have to figure out.

CONCEPT;

Newman had the idea of presenting evil within this image and to expose Alifred Krupp for the toxic person he was.

CONTEXT;

Krupp, who was a man who produced transport and material for the Nazi’s wanted a portrait of himself, so he contacted Newman for one but not knowing he was Jewish. When Krupp found out he refused to let Newman take his photos but Krupp was slowly persuaded by Newman’s phenomenal portfolio and he was then allowed to photograph him. Newman being the great photographer he was took it upon himself to portray Krupp for who he really was and he successfully did this through his image.

 

Portraiture

1. TRADITIONAL PORTRAIT.

Traditional or Classical portraiture would refer to an image where face is the predominant element. The purpose of the photograph is to depict visual representation of that person. Subject is expected to be looking directly at the camera. With what is described as a head-shot, two thirds or full body framing can be used

2. ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT.

The term Environmental Portrait refers to an image where the subject is photographed in person’s natural environment. For example, a worker photographed at the construction zone, teacher in the classroom, sculptor in a sculpture studio and so on. Surroundings are used to compliment the subject and to emphasize his character. Subject and setting are chosen by the photographer.

4. CANDID PORTRAIT.

A candid portrait is taken without a subject expecting or acknowledging the photographer. This style used in photo journalism, travel photography, street photography and event photography. As opposed to an environmental portrait this image is captured at the moment rather than set up.

5. GLAMOUR PORTRAIT.

The term Glamour Portrait refers to portraits where emphasis is given to highlight the sexy romantic appeal of the subject.

6. LIFESTYLE PORTRAIT

The term Lifestyle Portrait refers to portraits where emphasis is given to suggest the “style of living” of the individuals depicted. Technically it is a combination of environmental portrait and candid portrait. More weight is given to communicate the feeling of life experience of the subject. Style has numerous implications in commercial and fine art photography. Editorial, fashion, pharmaceutical, and food industries often use lifestyle images to evoke emotions in viewers by depiction of desired life styles. It is common to see this style used in wedding and family portrait photography as well.

7. SURREAL PORTRAIT.

Surreal Portraits are created to emphasize the other reality. A depiction of a person’s interpreted subconscious mind. Surrealism is an art movement started in the early 1920‘s and still alive and well. In photography tricks and special effects are used to achieve a surreal look. 

8. CONCEPTUAL PORTRAIT.

Conceptual Portrait refers to images where concept adds a fourth dimension. The hidden meaning of the concept will leave the viewer guessing as it is often open for interpretation. Conceptual artists generally get offended when asked what did they mean in their photograph. It is the job of the viewer to decide. Conceptual Portraits are often used in advertising photography but concepts are much easier to understand.

9. ABSTRACT PORTRAIT.

Abstract portraits are created with a purpose of creating art and not based on realistic representation of a person. Collage or digital manipulation is often used.

Environmental Portraits

ENVIRONMENTAL
/ɪnvʌɪrənˈmɛnt(ə)l,ɛnvʌɪrənˈmɛnt(ə)l/
adjective
  1. 1.
    relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition.
    PORTRAIT
    /ˈpɔːtrət,ˈpɔːtreɪt/
    noun
    1. 1.
      a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders.

    What do environmental portraits do?

    – they give context to the subject you’re photographing
    – they give points of interest to shots (something you need to watch as you don’t want to distract from your subject too much)
    – they help your subject relax
    – they often give the viewer of your shots real insight into the personality and lifestyle of your subject

 

 

 

 

Final Abstract Project

Mood Board

For my final piece of work on the abstract unit, I wanted to explore urban abstract environments and image manipulation techniques such as hue altering and double exposure effects.

Image result for abstract colour photography street

Image result for abstract colour photography street

Image result for abstract photography city

Image result for Coloured wall photography

Image Selection

Below Is a contact sheet with all of my original image choices on. From here you can note the images I have chosen to develop into my final piece, as well as the ones that didnt make the cut. All are already edited as this contact sheet helped me decide upon my final outcome.

Here are my Final images as selected by process of elimination via the above contact sheet.

In this picture, I simply altered the hue of the environment and isolated the person and duplictated them and altered the opacity of each layer gradually to give off a “ghost” effect.

With this image, I simply duplicated the layer and altered the layer opacity and changed the hue to a colour that would match the shoes, Giving this image a  sort of 3D glasses effect.

This Image was just a basic hue filter applied to make all of the rust on the metal work of the building pink. it is a different perspective of a scene people often Ignore on a daily basis.

This image is a skyline scene featuring a crane and the top of a town house. I have lowered the vibrance and exposure to give the image a dark, yet minimalistic feel to it. the hue was also altered to give off an even darker effect.

This photo is of a drainpipe on the outside wall of a warehouse. I have decided to include white elements in order to create a minimalist effect. This is the only photo that I haven’t edited or altered using digital tools, This image came about as a result of low exposure on my camera.

Paper Photography

For this homework I took photos of pieces of paper that I had modified to make to make it look different and abstract.

Red = NO

Orange = MAYBE

Green = YES

My Favourite Images (Unedited):

I really like how these photos look so I decided to edit them in Photoshop. On every photo I pressed the keys Ctrl, Alt L to get the levels tool. Then I put a photo filter on, then I lowered the vibrancy and saturation a bit.

My Favourite Images (Edited):

I am really pleased with how this turned out and I really like the look of the paper in these photos. I might use this technique again but it wasn’t my favourite technique to do.

Final Images – Abstract Photography

Mind Map:

 

Mood Board:

Franco Fontana:

Franco Fontana is an Italian photographer born in Modena, on December, 9th, 1933. Although he is best known for his abstract colour landscapes, he has also takenmultiple images of colourful buildings. He is known as the inventor of the photographic line referred to as concept of line. Fontana plays with the concept of reality and unreality. Fontana views that our built world is more than buildings, surfaces, objects and colors. Fontana engages with the symphony of relationships that is constantly being rewritten between the physical elements of the urban landscape. 

Fontana uses natural lighting such as daylight in his images, and uses the vast amount of colours and shadows to contast eachother. Fontana mainy uses a 35mm camera on location as he claimed that the world was his studio. In Fontana's landscape images he uses a high light sensitivity which creates a grainy image, however, in his urban landscape images of buildings he appears to use a lower light sensitivity because the images are a lot less grainy. Fontana plays with both warm and cool temperatures in his images, constantly creating a contrast. 

Colour and line are the main features of Fontana's work that makes it so striking and unique. The reoccuring theme of line runs through his work, creating unique and distorted impressions, creating the illusion that some of his images are photoshopped. The tone of his work varys, with both light and dark and light and shadows constantly featuring. There is usually some element of space in Fontanas images aswell, however he cleverly uses it as it is usually the sky, with the blue contrasting the colours of the image.

Action Plan:

1 x A3, 1 x A4, 1 x A5.
I was inspired by  Fontana's images of the urban landscape and also wanted to photograph images of colourful buildings. Location wise, I thought Gorey is the perfect location to shoot my photographs because along the pier there are many colourful buildings. I decided to use a 55-250mm lens to capture my images because I decided not to take close upimages, but images that are a bit further away, so therefore I thought that a 55-250mm lens would be more suitable. I also wanted to have atleast one of my images featuring the sky to create some negative space, however I would have to be careful and ensure I am not creating too much negative space. I also chose to shoot in the middle of the day so I wouldn't have to use artificial light.

The Photoshoot:

I did take images of the buildings at Gorey, however I was also interested in features such as the paint of the road, and the abstract shapes formed by palm trees. However, overall I prefer the images of the buildings. The I find the colours very striking and eyecatching.

Final Image Selection and Manipulation:

Out of all of the images I took, my favourites are of the buildings. Here are my three favourites:
A3:
For this image I used adobe lightroom to manipulate it. I increased the contrast, decreased the exposure, cropped the image and slightly increased the vibrancy of the image. This is my favourite image because I really like how detailed the pattern is of the buildings roof in the foreground, and the pale blue of the sky in the background. I also like the shaped introduced in this image, for instance the round curves created by the tiles, however the line introduced of the outline of the roof. I feel that the blue and green compliment eachother, and the natural daylight creates the shadow of the right side of the roof constasts the bright and vibrant colours of the left side of the roof. Line and pattern is a reoccuring theme of this image, which makes the image eyecatching and interesting.

A4: Once again I used adobe lightroom to manipulate my image. I increased the vibrance, contrast and slightly increased the clarity. I then decreased the exposure and hightlights. To take this image I used a fast shutter speed to ensure there was no shakiness. I also ensured that I used a low light intensity to make sure that the image won't be grainy. Colour is the main focus of this image, I especially like the magenta contrasting the green in this image. I also like the textural difference of the flowers to the smoothness of the building. There are also some elements of line in this image, seeming as the windows, borders and buildings feature line. 

A5: Adobe lightroom was used to manipulate this image. I decreased the exposure, increased the contract,decreased the shadows, increased the vibrancy and increased the highlights. I used the daylight as my natural lighting. I like the contrast between the dark olive green and the vibrant reds in this photograph. I also like how the busy and unique texture of the flowers contrast the smooth and regular texture of the house. the repetition of the three windows and three bushes of flowers add symmetry to the photograph, making it more aesthetically pleasing. The temperature of this photo is mainly warm because the red of both the roof and the flowers add a warm temperature and feel to the photograph. I used a fast shutter speed to make sure the image wasnt blurry or grainy.

Presentation of Final Images:

To present my images, I am going to place them onto foam board. My reasoning for this is because the foam board will give a slight 3D feel to the photos, and emphasis on the fact that the images are of buildings.