DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Black and white portrait
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 19 of 19, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 01/09/2007 09:05:35 AM · #1
I need some advice regarding the coming challenge. Would the following photo be considered as a portrait?



Thanks.
 01/09/2007 09:11:05 AM · #2
I think Zeuszen catagorised his shot pretty well - candid snapshot.

It maybe has more merit than that would imply, but it would be quite 'out there' for a portrait. It could certainly be portraying something about that person, chasing the bird, but I doubt it would do well in a very literally reviewed portrait challenge.
 01/09/2007 09:18:55 AM · #3
I would vote this pretty low in a portrait challenge ... IMHO you should be able to see at least half of a person's face to really consider it a portrait ... this looks more like a snapshot to me
 01/09/2007 09:24:32 AM · #4
I wouldn't consider this a portrait. IMO, a portrait singles out the main subject. I don't feel like the girl is singled out.
 01/09/2007 09:26:46 AM · #5
I consider it a portrait.
 01/09/2007 09:39:55 AM · #6
One other question ?

In a portrait photo... does the subject has to be "Live model" ... ex: can a photo of a monument (face) could be "OK"?
 01/09/2007 09:42:13 AM · #7
I think these are a couple of the best portraits I've taken:




01/09/2007 09:42:24 AM · #8
A face is a face imo. Just because one breathes and one doesn't, they both are stone still in the picture anyway so what's the diff.
 01/09/2007 09:51:14 AM · #9
I tried to put a "candid" in for a portrait challenge before and scored very poorly. People expect subjects to look straight at the camera (generally speaking).

This is from Wikipedia:
A portrait is a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a person or object. Portraits are often simple head shots or mug shots and are not usually overly elaborate. The intent is to show the basic appearance of the person or object, and occasionally some artistic insight into his or her personality (if a person).

To me, a portrait is more than a head-shot, but if you go for a ribbon (or points) you have to be conservative.

Disclaimer: This is only my opinion and your decision should not be based only on what I or only one person says.
 01/09/2007 09:55:49 AM · #10
Originally posted by Simpa:
One other question ?

In a portrait photo... does the subject has to be "Live model" ... ex: can a photo of a monument (face) could be "OK"?


Not sure what the question is?

If you are asking, will it do OK as far as scoring on dpchallenge?-no it won't.
 01/09/2007 09:57:44 AM · #11
Originally posted by Gordon:
I think these are a couple of the best portraits I've taken:





I would agree - particularly the hand.

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 09:57:56.
 01/09/2007 10:03:30 AM · #12
Here is the definition for those who need to know what a "portrait" really is----
a portrait (plural: portraits)
a picture, especially a painting, of one's bust
(figurative): an accurate depiction of a mood

IMO, it creates a mood and doesnt need to be just a face, or any other body part. What does the photo say to the viewer, does the viewer end up feeling some emotion from seeing the photograph...

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 10:05:53.
 01/09/2007 10:15:45 AM · #13
Just an opinion but to me a good portrait is a simple image from which you can derive a good or genrous amount of information about your subject, whether it's a picture of a hand, face or foot. If you take away something deep about the person (animal)...then it works. Portraits should be uncomplicated and telling IMO.

I don't get too much, in portrait terms, from the image in the OP...although some people might.

Gordons hand shot, is great. The other one, I don't fully understand.

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 16:45:04.
 01/09/2007 10:17:13 AM · #14
Thanks for all the prompt answers. I´m in, so be afraid, be very afraid!!!

In fact, I´ll get very low votes, but I hope some people will like my photo. It has a person in it, though, and it´s alive.
 01/09/2007 10:22:29 AM · #15
Originally posted by pawdrix:
Gordons hand shot, is great. The other one, I don't fully understand.


The second one just reminds me of every single hill town in Tuscany. It seemed like every town has a square, that is a the focal point of the daily hustle & bustle of life. There would always be 3 old men, sitting on a corner talking and watching the people pass by. Every square, 3 men.

So this portrait was at least trying to go beyond the specific 3 guys that are in the frame and be say something about the 3 guys on every square corner.

Least that's what it means to me - I can certainly believe that there's more in my head than in the shot. I deliberately chopped off their heads to make it less about these particular gentlemen and more of an archetype.

I'm pretty certain that the top 3 winners in black and white portrait will be tight headshots though. It would be interesting to be wrong and see something different win. It's also worth noting that the last time B&W portrait was run, a cat portrait came third.

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 10:25:47.
 01/09/2007 10:40:49 AM · #16
I went to see the Portrait Photography of the Year exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery on Sunday, shortly before taking my portrait entry. It was quite inspiring - I recommend it to anyone who has 30 minutes or so in central London to spare.

All the images included people, and almost all of the images included their face. Most were looking at the camera, and many were busts.

The non-standard ones included a picture of a crowd of churchgoers - a self portrait intended to be a reflection of the photographer in the community she spends a lot of her time in.

The winner was a picture of a man with tattoos with an expression that conveyed a lot of vulnerability, a street capture following a chance 4 minute interaction with the photographer.

Most of the images were technically perfect (a few would have had DPCers up in arms).

I think that this represents what most people want and expect out of portraitr photography.
 01/09/2007 10:41:40 AM · #17
Originally posted by pawdrix:

I don't get too much from the image in the OP...although some people might.

I apologize for my "newbieness", but I see "OP" in many posts and still don't know what it means... Could anyone enlighten me?

Thanks!
 01/09/2007 10:43:47 AM · #18
Original Poster.
 01/09/2007 10:50:07 AM · #19
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Original Poster.
Thanks!
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/09/2025 02:51:59 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/09/2025 02:51:59 PM EDT.