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05/03/2008 03:55:19 PM · #1 |
Hello everyone,
I was just curious as to what the true meaning of "portrait" is in reference to photography.
Basically I'm wondering if portrait refers to people/pets etc. exclusively, OR can objects
like an apple or a bowl of fruit be considered "portraits" as well, depending on how they are
presented?? If an object was the only thing in the frame other than the background, could it
be labelled a portrait?
Thanks! |
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05/03/2008 04:31:32 PM · #2 |
To a lot of people here at DPChallenge "the true meaning of portrait" is anything from a nude, to a still life to a landscape. It doesn't matter to them what the challenge is, they submit any photo they choose to submit
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05/03/2008 04:36:17 PM · #3 |
If I had to define a Portrait, I would say a person or animal (usually a pet).
A bowl of fruit or an apple or a wine bottle with glasses is a Still Life.
A landscape is, well...a landscape??
But what do I know? |
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05/03/2008 05:12:59 PM · #4 |
Thanks guys.
I agree with the term "still life", but would the image be a "still life portrait" or just plain old "still life" ? |
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05/03/2008 05:16:03 PM · #5 |
Well, it can be portrait in terms of orientation (as opposed to landscape) but as a rule it should depict some form of human/animal subject. Of course the boundaries can be pushed - here's an example of a self-portrait many wouldn't class as a portrait but I think is brilliant:
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05/03/2008 05:16:13 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by dieselphoto:
Thanks guys.
I agree with the term "still life", but would the image be a "still life portrait" or just plain old "still life" ? |
I think just a plain old Still Life:) |
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05/03/2008 05:47:47 PM · #7 |
A portrait is an image of a person or pet that defines a characteristic of said person/pet and conveys a sense of who the person/pet are.
Just my opinion. |
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05/03/2008 07:28:35 PM · #8 |
| Thanks to all for your help! |
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05/03/2008 07:49:30 PM · #9 |
From //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portrait
Main Entry: por·trait
Pronunciation: \ˈpȯr-trət, -ˌtrât\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from past participle of portraire
Date: 1570
1: picture; especially : a pictorial representation of a person usually showing the face
2: a sculptured figure : bust
3: a graphic portrayal in words
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05/03/2008 08:44:35 PM · #10 |
| I like iamkmaniam's meaning; it distinguishes a "portrait" from a "snapshot". But it's often extended to other objects that have special meaning for the artist. For example, searching Google Images for car portrait yields 1.6 million results! And I've often seen "portrait" used for photos of astronomical objects (like the sun) that really give a sense of that object. |
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05/03/2008 11:52:26 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by dr rick:
I like iamkmaniam's meaning; it distinguishes a "portrait" from a "snapshot". But it's often extended to other objects that have special meaning for the artist. For example, searching Google Images for car portrait yields 1.6 million results! And I've often seen "portrait" used for photos of astronomical objects (like the sun) that really give a sense of that object. |
People misuse words all the time. It doesn't mean they know what they're talking about. :) |
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