Portraiture and Studio Photography: 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.

Photo by Padraic Sheehan

The siblings in the photograph at the left are all a bit higher than the camera itself, which gives it a bit more perspective. The man closer to the camera is in the foreground while his siblings are behind him. This could maybe be because he's the middle child or the youngest child. The black and white effect gives it more of a homy and light vibe.

Photo by David M. Zuber

The picture at the right is also a family portrait and has a very warm feeling to it. The leaves the family is sitting on brings out their outfits and expressions. It also gives the idea that the photo was taken during autumn and that the family is close to nature and each other.

Photo by Margherita Garavana

The women in the left photo are getting ready for a wedding and there are many things that exemplify this. The fact that the woman on the left is helping the other woman get into her wedding dress is one thing. Also, the shot of them in the mirror really frames them well, and the black and white gives the photograph a calm feeling, maybe an excited calm.

Photo by "Old One Eye" on Flickr

In this last photo, the bride is the main focus, even though her bridesmaids are all in it with her. She is the only one really in focus because of the shallow depth of field, and because of this, it really brings out her excited smile and beauty. Because of the women's position, we get the feel they're taking a photo looking somewhere else, but it has leading lines that get the wedding atmosphere across.