The photographs highlighted in red are what I believe to be my least successful images. This is because these are out of focus, the worker’s eyes are closed or the image doesn’t focus on the aspect I want to highlight.
My most successful images are highlighted in green. I think these are my most successful photographs because they represent the worker in their environment, therefore they represent the theme of environmental portraits the best. These images are taken at various angles in order to achieve different perspectives. Also, the use of the essential worker’s uniform notifies the audience the role the worker plays, which was the key signifier for this project.
Photoshop development
Original imageEdited image
To edit this image, I used the monochromatic filter and adjusted both curve levels and contrast in order to make the photograph more dramatic. The mask creates a focal point as it is a point of extreme contrast against the darker tones.
The first portrait image was taken by photography pioneer, Robert Cornelius, in 1839. The method of daguerreotype, used in the 1840’s and 1850’s, made portrait photography popular because of its relatively low cost and reduced sitting time for the subject, which lead to the rise in popularity of portrait photography. Portraiture aims to capture the personality of a person or group through creative methods such as lighting and backdrops. There is essentially four approaches in terms of portraiture, these include constructionist, environmental, candid and creative. These styles have been developed over time for different purposes, for example, technical, artistic or cultural.
Audrey Hepburn for a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” press shoot – John Kobal (1961)
Environmental Portraits
“Otis James” – Benny Migliorino (date unknown)
An environmental portrait depicts the subject in a location associated with who they are. These photos could be taken in the subjects place of work, rest or play. The subject will often engage with the camera with a neutral pose or facial expression, with the photographers aim of portraying features such as their gender, class or lifestyle.
Analysis of an environmental portrait
American photojournalist W. Eugene Smith, New York City – Arnold Newman (1977)
Arnold Newman captured this environmental portrait of an American photojournalist, named Eugene Smith, in 1977. It provides the viewer with a deeper knowledge of Smith’s chaotic life, and the profession of a journalist in general.
This photograph is lit with a harsher, artificial light. This provides harsh shadows and bolder highlights. This lighting creates an extreme juxtaposition between the light and dark areas, with the lightest areas being the white sheets of paper and the darkest areas being Eugene Smith’s all-black outfit in the foreground and various black boxes in the background.
The lines in the image contrast against one another as the photo combines both curved and geometrical lines. There is no specific pattern using lines throughout the composition, however geometrical shapes such as squares and cubes are used.
There is no form of repetition used in the image as the background consists of pure chaos and pandemonium. The contrasting shapes and tones sit behind Eugene Smith, who wears an all-black outfit to provide some sort of uniformity to the image. Additionally, there is no use of echo or reflection in the image. However it can be argues that a repetition of geometric shapes can be seen in the photograph.
There is a wide depth of field in this image which provides a strong sense of depth. This allows for the viewer to focus on both the background and foreground. The wide depth means that the background can be easily seen which is essential for an environmental portrait. The strong sense of depth also allows every object in the background has a clear shape, which adds to the pandemonium of the image as a whole.
The majority of the shapes in the image are straight-edged geometric shapes. For example, there is a repeated pattern of squared shapes within the photo, these can be seen in the sheets of paper around the room and the Polaroid pictures on the back wall.
It is hard to tell the texture of the image as a multitude of surfaces are represented. For example, the soft texture of the sofa Smith is sitting on is contrasted with the sharp texture of the paper edges scattered around the room.
The constant contrast in the tones of the image create almost a stressful atmosphere to the image as the lack of uniformity from dark to light creates a disorganized look. I feel as though the image tends towards darkness as the larger shapes of the image are made of darker tones.
The monochromatic filter of the image allows for the contrasting tones to be further highlighted through shadow and light. I think this image was taken in black and white to give some form of tranquility amongst the chaos the photograph. If the image was in colour, the viewer may get distracted by too many aspects of the image and therefore lose interest.
The composition of the image is unorganized and unbalanced. There seems to be no use of technical organisation in the photograph as the various objects are randomly scattered around the room to represent the messy life of Eugene Smith. This means there is a lack of rule of thirds, which makes it difficult to understand the composition of the image.
An environmental portrait is a portrait executed in the subject’s usual environment, such as in their home or workplace, and typically illuminates the subject’s life and surroundings. The subjects of these images are usually surrounded by objects which relate to their craft, may that be their career or hobby. Environmental portraits should allow the observer to identify the subjects job easily by using a well lit setting and clear links to their work around or on them.
Environmental Portraits Mood Board
Image Analysis – Arnold Newman
Arnold Newman | Portrait of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky | December 1, 1946
This environmental portrait of Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) was captured by American photographer Arnold Newman (1918-2006). Newman is noted for his environmental portraits, where he photographed many famous artists and politicians. Igor Stravinsky was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor-widely considered one of the greatest and most versatile composers of the 20th century. In this portrait image, Newman has created an abstract composition as the subject Stravinsky is placed in the bottom left corner, only barely being seen. Therefore, the piano outweighs the subject alluding to the idea that music plays such an important role in his life. Additionally, the shape of the instrument itself resembles a musical note, which mixed with the immense size of the piano could symbolize how overwhelming the power of music is on society and culture. Newman has captured this image with a black and white filter, possibly due to the cameras used in 1946, which creates a high contrast of dark and light tones. There is not a vast range of tone in this image, primarily it consists of one main highlight, mid-tone and shadow- the darkest area being the piano and the lightest being the wall behind. This opposition between a harsh black and a bright white really makes the piano stand out in the photograph; it creates a clear focal point for the observer. Furthermore, there are many geometric shapes and lines in this photo which create a rigid sharp texture. These acute lines also add to the unsettling atmosphere of the image as their definite structures allude to the idea that Stravinsky’s career is at times strict and harsh in order for him to succeed above others in the industry.
Environmental Portraits Mind-Map
Photoshoot Plan
Who – I plan on photographing the people who work in the market, such as butchers, florists and chefs. I also wish to photograph some essential workers in the time of Covid-19, such as cashiers, postmen and firemen.
What – I aim to capture the subjects looking directly at the camera, surrounded by their working environment and/or showing them doing their job.
When – I hope to take some of these images on Tuesday, November 10th as the weather will be sunny and dry for any outdoors shots. I also aim on doing a shoot on Wednesday, November 11th in the evening as the market won’t be as busy and crowded.
Where – On Tuesday, my plan is to travel to St Helier and go around town looking for any postmen or binmen that may be working. I will also head to St Brelade to photograph the firemen at the station. On Wednesday, I aim on going to the market in St Helier to capture my evening photos.
Why – I will take these photos to demonstrate my understanding of environmental portraits and to show people in their working environments. I also want to show how these people feel at the moment of the shoot, letting them act however they wish to in front of the camera.
How – I am going to produce this photoshoot using my Canon EOS 2000D with natural lighting for the outdoor shots and artificial ceiling lighting for the indoor shots. I will use a short aperture to capture the subjects face as the main focal point in my photos.
Contact Sheets
Final Edited Images
Final Images
I have chosen these two images of a florist and a fireman as my final selection as I believe they show clear environmental portraits, linking to each other through colour and composition. Firstly, both images hold repetition of saturated warm colours, such as yellow and red, which reflect the cheerful atmosphere created by the subjects smiling facial expressions. Additionally, I think these images work well together because of their similar compositions. Image one has the subject in the centre, with her work environment surrounding her in the foreground and background. This allows the observer to connect with the image as the camera is at eye level with the subject smiling down the lens, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Nevertheless in image two, the subject is similarly placed in the centre of the photograph- however his work environment is directly behind him showing he is the main focus and importance in the image. Furthermore, the fire engine behind the main subject in image two holds diagonal thick lines which create direction and lead our focus towards him. These straight leading lines also produce quite a harsh texture in image two, which alludes to the harsh reality of a fireman’s job and shows how strict and precise he must be in order to save someone’s life. This contrasts well with image one as it holds a softer texture due to the more organic and natural shapes created by the flowers and ribbons surrounding the woman. Overall, I believe these two images show strong environmental portraits which reflect the atmospheres and challenges one has in these particular careers.
Environmental Portraits is a form of portraiture where the typical working environment of the subject is showcased.
Anthony Kurtz
Kremer Johnson
Dennis Walsh
Brian Megens
Environmental Portraiture Mood Board
Kremer Johnson
Kremer Johnson Pieces Kremer Johnson
The above three quarter length, head-on image taken by Kremer Johnson is a perfect example of an environmental portrait.
It is a good example because the image is of a man engaging with the camera wearing his wetsuit and fishing accessories while holding a spearfishing gun and sporting wet hair. This indefinitely shows us that fishing is his passion/job.
The image also has the ocean as the backdrop of the ocean which concludes the overall scene and setting of the environmental portrait.
The image is lit using natural light with aid from a more fluorescent light which fills in the right side of of the subjects face and creates a shadow which intensifies his features and helps drive the idea of a well weathered fisherman in the portrait. Kremer uses a smaller aperture to create a large depth of field by isolating the subject from the background and creating a bokeh effect. There is also use of a warmer white balance to accentuate the theme of pride.
Kremer has created texture by using a high resolution camera and lense combined with the lighting. The texture is constructed around the contrast of the smooth neoprene chest plate with water cascading down it and the fishermans rough hands and facial features and metallic gadgets which tells the story concealed in the portrait.
PhotoShoot Plan
Who – Surfer
When – Later in the afternoon so natural light is not too harsh
Where – By the ocean
What – Subject holding surfboard in a wetsuit.
Why – This portrays her passion/hobby clearly in the portrait.
How – Use a warm white balance and a combination of natural and manmade light.
Contact Sheets
Final Images
I chose to use a low saturation and a high contrast to give my image more tonal depth and clarity. This helps outline the subject and make her the focal point of the portrait.
I used a combination of natural and fluorescent for the first few images the sun was hitting my subject from the side on creating an outline on one side whilst casting shadows on the other side to emphasize her facial details. for the last two images I wanted to light my subject head on so I use a one point lighting system and it worked well with the background.
I used a lower ISO to slightly udder-expose the images to relay a gloomier mood to emphasize the winter environment. This also gives us more context into the life of the subject relaying by informing that she is a more passionate surfer as she endures colder weather.
