Colourful Life: Assignment 1: Digital Image Album

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

DEFINITION

The Focal Encyclopedia of Photography includes an article by Kathleen Francis on the subject, which says in part:

Portrait photography produces pictures that capture the personality of a 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. Frequently, portraits are commissioned for special occasions, such as weddings or school events. Portraits can serve many purposes, from usage on a personal Web site to display in the lobby of a business.

One can find other more or less "official" definitions of portrait photography, but this one captures several aspects that are important to portrait photography (or to portraiture in the visual arts overall) which may not be explained in detail in a general-purpose dictionary.

A portrait:

Captures the personality or essence of a subject. Not just a picture with a person in it. A "clinical" portrait might not attempt to reveal the soul of a person, but it still needs to capture something of that person's uniqueness — or else it's not a portrait.

Is staged. While portraits can be candid, even those tend to have some intentionality. The lighting, backdrops, and poses are important, even if they are ad hoc. (Or maybe especially when they are.)

Is commissioned. While this isn't necessary in a literal sense, in a larger sense portrait photographs aremade for the purpose. Someone — the subject, or the artist, or some organization — wants a portrayal of a certain person (or group of people). Even a street portrait of a stranger can fit, based on the photographer's intention.

EXAMPLE OF MY PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Camera Model: Canon EOS 450D

Shutter speed: 1/25 sec
Lense aperture: f/4.6
F-number: f/4.5

Exposure Time: 1/25 sec

ISO speed: ISO-1600

Focal length: 32mm

Exposure program: Aperture Priority

Camera Model: Canon EOS 450D

Shutter speed: 1/40 sec
Lense aperture: f/5.6
F-number: f/5.6

Exposure Time: 1/40 sec

ISO speed: ISO-400

Focal length: 55mm

Exposure program: Aperture Priority

Camera Model: Canon EOS 450D

Shutter speed: 1/6 sec
Lense aperture: f/5
F-number: f/5

Exposure Time: 1/6 sec

ISO speed: ISO-1600

Focal length: 43mm

Exposure program: Aperture Priority

Camera Model:    Canon EOS 450D
Shutter speed:           1/256 sec
Lense aperture:          f/5.7
F-number: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 1/250 sec
ISO speed: ISO-800
Focal length:    55mm
Exposure program: Manual

Camera Model: Canon EOS 450D

Shutter speed: 1/256 sec
Lense aperture: f/5.7
F-number: f/5.6

Exposure Time: 1/250 sec

ISO speed: ISO-400

Focal length: 55mm

Exposure program: Aperture Priority

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

DEFINITION

Landscape photography is intended to show different spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, but other times microscopic. Photographs typically capture the presence of nature and are often free of man-made obstructions. Landscape photographers often attempt to document the space as well as convey an appreciation of the scenery.

EXAMPLE OF MY LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

Camera Model: Nikon D50
F-number: f/22
Exposure Time: 5 sec
Focal length: 20mm
Exposure program: Manual

Camera Model: Nikon D200

F-number: f/16

Exposure Time: 1/2 sec

ISO speed: ISO-100

Focal length: 116mm

Exposure program: Aperture Priority

MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY

DEFINITION

Macro photography is the art of taking close-up pictures that reveal details which can't be seen with the naked eye. For example, while we can see the fly on the wall, our eyes aren't equipped to make out the fine details of the hairs on it's face. This is where macro photography comes in. It gives us a glimpse into the world of the very small, which goes largely unnoticed by us as we hurriedly shuffle through our day.

EXAMPLE OF MY MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY

Camera Model: Canon EOS 450D

Shutter speed:           1/49 sec
Lense aperture:          f/8
F-number: f/8
Exposure Time: 1/50 sec
ISO speed: ISO-800
Focal length:    55mm
Exposure program: Aperture Priority