Unit 13 Activity 6

Connect with someone new and create three environmental portraits.
At least one image should demonstrate how you have directed them towards a relaxed expression and body posture. Discuss the process of direction.

This activity requires me to communicate with my subject to position them in there natural environment. The first image is of Gaby in a relaxed stage. I told her before I took the picture to take a breath and relax while she edits her image from her studio shoot. I also told her to pose as she usually sits in front of the computer everyday, relaxed and focused on her work in her natural environment. In the second image I told Gaby to do the exact same thing while I got a different angle of her editing her picture. She is still in her natural environment and relaxed. Portrait images don't always have to be different subjects they can be the same subject with different techniques used and that's why in the second image I went for more of a dynamic angle look. For the third image I asked Maddy K. what she does often almost daily and she told me she reads and or reviews notes. Therefore, I took a picture of her reviewing her notes for a natural environment look. I told her to pretend I wasn't there with a camera and to focus on her reading and lean against the wall for a more relaxed, comfortable, and natural look.

Unit 13 Activity 4

Photograph the same subject varying both the depth of field and focal length of the lens. Discuss the visual effects of each image.

In the first image you can see an example of shallow depth of field. The main subject is close up and clearly in focus eliminating any possible distracting backgrounds. Thus, the viewers eye looks directly at the main subject without really noticing the background. The second image is an example of great depth of field. In this image the viewer can still notice the main subject but instead of just the main subject being in focus all of the image is in focus showing more of the subjects in the background.

Unit 13 Activity 5

Find one portrait image that has included significant or informative detail. Describe the importance of the additional information and how it is likely to be read by the viewer.

Picture taken by Gary Sisson

This portrait has lots of detail, as you can see. Such as, the sweat coming off the boxers body, and the people in the background looking at the match, plus the light on top adding some shadowing to the boxers body, and the ref. in the background with the corner of the boxing ring showing. This photographer took a picture of these two boxers in there "true environment" instead of just doing the picture in a regular studio. Because of all this extra detail the viewer can almost feel like they are in the match themselves with seeing the expression on each of the boxers face, how hard they are each working to win there match, how much strength and effort they have to put in just to be a boxer, the feeling of the crowed watching with suspense. All these details lead to an very interesting photograph that tells a story and leads the viewer wanting to know more like, who these boxers are, who won the match, and where this fight is taking place. 

Unit 13 Activity 3

Collect four portrait images with two to five subjects. In at least one image the subject should have been placed in the foreground. Comment on the arrangement of the subjects in relation to the camera and the effectiveness of the design. 

In this family photograph the photographer took the picture at a different angle then the usual straight on. He/She was standing almost all the way over the subjects. This brings interest to the image and it has the viewer feel like he/she is standing over this happy family.

The photographer in this family photograph used a staggering technique. This helps the viewer eyes leap from person to person. The photographer also put the baby in focus while the parents are more blurred, thus bringing more focus to the baby while still keeping the parents in the picture.

The photographer in this family photograph did a little bit of the same technique in the image above. The child is in focus while the parents are more blurred keeping more interest on the child. This photographer also used shallow depth of field as the child is closer and the parents are a couple more feet away from the photographer, this also helps keep more interest and focus on the child but still has the viewers eyes jump around to look at other subjects (the parents). This image is also the foreground image. It is foreground because the parents are in the picture but they are blurred out( they are in the foreground of the image). 

The photographer took this image straight on, we know this because the eyes are looking straight on in the picture and there is no obvious distinctions of any use of dynamic angle. In this image the photographer "sandwiched" the child because of the parents being on either side of her. The placement of the father then child then mother really close together helps the viewers eyes go from person to person easily and naturally.

Unit 13 Activity 2

Find four portraits that demonstrate the different ways a photographer has framed the image to alter the design and content. Discuss the vantage point, depth of field and subject placement in all of the images.

The subjects are placed either directly in the middle or in the rule of thirds for portrait photography. Both are strong and make the subject the focus point. The rule of thirds is the most popular and strong technique used in portrait photography, as seen in three of the four images, the subject is put in a position so they follow of rule of thirds. In most portrait photography images the subjects are put in shallow depth of field. This is because it makes the image and subject seem more intense and insures the viewer will focus on the subject (like all the girls in the images above). For the vantage point most photographers take the image straight on because it creates an dramatic effect. Like in the first three images the photographers took the picture of the subject straight on. While in the last image the photographer took the picture while he was probably kneeling down. This makes the image less dramatic and more softened.

Unit 13 Activity 1

Look through assorted media, magazines, internet and collect four portrait photographs. The environment should be a key feature in two of the four images.Describe the subject’s character in each of the images. What can you see within each image that leads you to these conclusions about the subjects’ character.

http://portrait-photographer.blogspot.com/2010/04/adding-props-to-senior-portraits.html

In this image you can clearly see the background is of sports items and clothing. This brings the reader to believe the girl in image is an athlete. As most people know athletes are typically hard working, motivated, and dedicated. Therefore (because of the background in the portrait) the viewer can assume this girl is hard working, athletic, and dedicated.

http://www.pictage.com/planning-guides/fun-props-for-fabulous-engagement-and-wedding-photos/

The two portraits above are images of a newly wedded couple. Although the backgrounds are a little different they both have something to do with being by the sea. The first image out of the two, is of a dock on the sea. The second image is of a couple standing on a dock with a boat and sea in the background. The sea is known for being a calm, romantic, and happy place to go to which is the perfect background to bring the feeling of happiness and romance to the image. With the background of the sea the viewer can come to he conclusion that two couples are happy and very much in love.

http://pinterest.com/pin/245164773436028676/

In this portrait the background is of christmas lights and a christmas tree. This brings the viewer to assume its around the holiday season, more specifically christmas time. Christmas time is known for  the happy smiley children that get to open lots of presents. Therefore the viewer can assume this child is having the time of her life with it being christmas time.