Portraits
Describe what you see when you look at an image. Where does your eye go first? Why?
When I first look at this portrait, my first impression is her eyes. I believe this is because compared to her pale face her blue eyes are brighter – however I also believe it’s because of the fact the person isn’t looking at the camera. This model is looking in a different direction – it makes you guess what she’s looking at.
What is the subject’s relationship to the other elements in the photograph such as other people, the environment we find him or her in, or objects within the scene? What do we learn from these details?
Other than the model herself, you are unable to make out what is in the background – it’s a very dull grey colour. I believe this is there to draw your eyes to the model herself – she is the only source of colour in this portrait.
Are there clues in the image that suggest when and where the portrait was made? Describe.
Because the setting in the back is very non-existent you can’t find out anything about the portrait other than the model. Whatever is in the portrait is already blurred out – this photograph is centred on the model herself.
What moods or feelings are expressed in the portrait? How?
By colour you can’t tell much about the feelings being expressed. However, the facial expression of the model suggests curiosity or wonder. It also makes you curious and feel mysterious about what the model is looking at. The dull background would have expressed sadness or boredom if there wasn’t this model at the centre. Blue generally means feeling sad – however her facial expression contradicts this.
What can you tell about how this picture was made? Consider the visual strategies used by the artist such as use of light, time of day, vantage point, framing and composition, scale, presentation etc.
There was clearly light shone from the right side of the model – you can tell this because of the shadows on the left side of her body – as well as the dark grey in the corner of this portrait. The camera was focused on the model herself, I can tell this by the blurring objects at the bottom of this portrait in the background. I would take a guess and say it was during the day time – however, I can’t confirm this because the only source of light looks to be from an electricity rather than natural daylight. The portrait has been taken to frame the model’s upper body – to especially catch the models face.
What do we learn about the subject by looking at this photograph? What details reveal that information?
From this portrait I can tell that the model herself is a young women. She is also the only thing that is centred in this photograph – I believe the dark blue clothing has been chosen to enhance her pale skin. Although it could have also been used to match her eyes – as they are also blue.
Do you think the photographer happened upon this scene, or might they have provided some direction to their subject?
This portrait was definitely planned – from the clothes the model is wearing to how she poses. You can tell this because it looks very professional – also because of the blank background surrounding her. The direction of this portrait looks to be focused on the model and her expression – there isn’t any distractions from the model. She is the main subject.
What do we know to be true about this subject? What assumptions might we have made?
I know that it’s focused on the model herself – we are automatically drawn to her face. I believe this is to show her facial expression. Her dark clothing is to show her pale skin colour and that the background is blank and dull so we don’t focus on it. The picture isn’t meant to be busy – the only subject is the model herself.
When I first look at this portrait, my first impression is her eyes. I believe this is because compared to her pale face her blue eyes are brighter – however I also believe it’s because of the fact the person isn’t looking at the camera. This model is looking in a different direction – it makes you guess what she’s looking at.
What is the subject’s relationship to the other elements in the photograph such as other people, the environment we find him or her in, or objects within the scene? What do we learn from these details?
Other than the model herself, you are unable to make out what is in the background – it’s a very dull grey colour. I believe this is there to draw your eyes to the model herself – she is the only source of colour in this portrait.
Are there clues in the image that suggest when and where the portrait was made? Describe.
Because the setting in the back is very non-existent you can’t find out anything about the portrait other than the model. Whatever is in the portrait is already blurred out – this photograph is centred on the model herself.
What moods or feelings are expressed in the portrait? How?
By colour you can’t tell much about the feelings being expressed. However, the facial expression of the model suggests curiosity or wonder. It also makes you curious and feel mysterious about what the model is looking at. The dull background would have expressed sadness or boredom if there wasn’t this model at the centre. Blue generally means feeling sad – however her facial expression contradicts this.
What can you tell about how this picture was made? Consider the visual strategies used by the artist such as use of light, time of day, vantage point, framing and composition, scale, presentation etc.
There was clearly light shone from the right side of the model – you can tell this because of the shadows on the left side of her body – as well as the dark grey in the corner of this portrait. The camera was focused on the model herself, I can tell this by the blurring objects at the bottom of this portrait in the background. I would take a guess and say it was during the day time – however, I can’t confirm this because the only source of light looks to be from an electricity rather than natural daylight. The portrait has been taken to frame the model’s upper body – to especially catch the models face.
What do we learn about the subject by looking at this photograph? What details reveal that information?
From this portrait I can tell that the model herself is a young women. She is also the only thing that is centred in this photograph – I believe the dark blue clothing has been chosen to enhance her pale skin. Although it could have also been used to match her eyes – as they are also blue.
Do you think the photographer happened upon this scene, or might they have provided some direction to their subject?
This portrait was definitely planned – from the clothes the model is wearing to how she poses. You can tell this because it looks very professional – also because of the blank background surrounding her. The direction of this portrait looks to be focused on the model and her expression – there isn’t any distractions from the model. She is the main subject.
What do we know to be true about this subject? What assumptions might we have made?
I know that it’s focused on the model herself – we are automatically drawn to her face. I believe this is to show her facial expression. Her dark clothing is to show her pale skin colour and that the background is blank and dull so we don’t focus on it. The picture isn’t meant to be busy – the only subject is the model herself.