Portrait Photography is a photo of a person or group of people that displays the expression, personality, and mood of the subject. Like other types of portrait photography , the focus of the photograph is usually the person's face, although the entire body and the background or context may be included.
Steve mccurry portrait photography
Steve Curry is a Belgian editorial photographer best known for his photograph "Afghan Girl" which originally appeared appeared on the June 1985 cover of National Geographic.
"Curry focused on the human consequences of war, intending to not only show what war impresses on the landscape, but rather, on the human face. “Most of my images are grounded in people. I look for the unguarded moment, the essential soul peeking out, experience etched on a person’s face. I try to convey what it is like to be that person, a person caught in a broader landscape, that you could call the human condition.”"
I have chosen this photograph because it is popular and it has a good composition to it. The colour in the picture is limited but it's still very strong. Her green eyes match the colour of the background. The viewer has their attention drawn to her eyes which help with the mood of the piece as she looks disturbed and shocked.
"Curry focused on the human consequences of war, intending to not only show what war impresses on the landscape, but rather, on the human face. “Most of my images are grounded in people. I look for the unguarded moment, the essential soul peeking out, experience etched on a person’s face. I try to convey what it is like to be that person, a person caught in a broader landscape, that you could call the human condition.”"
I have chosen this photograph because it is popular and it has a good composition to it. The colour in the picture is limited but it's still very strong. Her green eyes match the colour of the background. The viewer has their attention drawn to her eyes which help with the mood of the piece as she looks disturbed and shocked.
irving penn
The man on the left looks like he's stressed and is trying to think of something. The woman on the right looks calm and relaxed. The pictures are black and white, I think this adds a dramatic effect especially with the lighting used, for example on the man's glasses or on the woman's face and hair. The artist has used a plain background to make the model stand out.
Environmental Portrait Photography
Uses Of Environmental Photography
- 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.
Edward S. Curtis, self-portrait.
Edward Sheriff Curtis, born February 16, 1868 – October 19, 1952. Edward S. Curtis was an American ethnologist and photographer of the American west and of Native American people.
Edward Sheriff Curtis, born February 16, 1868 – October 19, 1952. Edward S. Curtis was an American ethnologist and photographer of the American west and of Native American people.
The photographer has captured an old man at work. The photo has captured all his work place and it's clear what he's doing. The way the light comes through the window highlights the man's face and shines onto his work. The background is bright so you can see what he's doing. Its also textured and makes me visualize how the mans hands would feel, a rough skin.
My plan for my next shoot is that I am going to take some photographs of my own, portrait photos or environmental photos.
Worst picture
This is my worst picture because it is out of focused.
Best picture
In this image, I captured AJ against the background of textured wood, as I wanted a different mood to reflect the picture and AJ emotions.This shows emotion in AJ's eyes and facial expression as he looks alone, but there is no happiness in the image, like sadness, sympathy etc.
worst picture
This is my worst picture because Abdi is looking somewhere else, the look on Abdi's face shows that something's up. The picture is clear but the bad thing is, Abdi is not paying attention to the camera and there is someone else in the way on the right of the camera.
Best picture
This is my best picture because it is clear and my face stands out. You can also see the background, the parking lot and the fences.
Cropped versions
As you can see here, this is the same picture as before but I cropped the picture using Photo-Shop. I cropped it so you can't see the walls and the picture can focus more on Abdul. It also looks like a proper portrait now since the picture has come closer to Abdul and the walls are out of sight.
I did the same thing here, cropping out the walls so you can see Abdul better. In the original picture, you could see more of the wall than Abdul himself. Now that I've cropped the picture, you can see Abdul more.
Work on photoshop
For this photograph, I've used Photoshop by cropping the image using the black and white filter
I've used a filter and spotlight tool to highlight the area of the photograph.
my work influenced by irving penn
Evaluation
For portrait photography, I found it difficult to take pictures of adults however when I worked with my peers, was more comfortable with taking pictures and captured better shots I was able to give them instructions on what to do by using the style of Irving Penn, I feel my work has got stronger.