Portraiture and Studio Photography: Activity 2

Find four portraits that demonstrate the different ways a photographer has framed the image to alter the design and content. Discuss the vantage point, depth of field and subject placement in all of the images.

Photo by Tony Day

In the photograph at the right, the vantage point is level with the subject, so you are looking straight at him and can see into the hood of his jacket. The depth of field is larger so that the background of the wall and stripes can be seen clearly, which leads you to the subject somewhat. The hood of the man's jacket frames his face, so that it is what you look towards and can see his emotion. Also, the photo was manipulated a little bit to add fading darkness to the corners, which further draws the viewer into the subject.

Photo by Leanne Boulton

The woman in the photo is brought out more because of her surroundings. The photo has a shallow depth of field, but you can still see the fences on the sides of the street, which lead right to the subject. The vantage point is also level with the woman, but her hat frames her face and adds contrast to her skin and blonde hair.  

Photo by Ziemowit Maj

This photo has many different things in play. The vantage point is not level to the subject; it's below him and at somewhat of a tilt. The depth of field is also mostly shallow, but not enough that the man's background is entirely indistinguishable. The dark alleyway at the man's right gives the photograph a dramatic feel, along with the man's hood and the smoke coming out of it (from the cigarette he was smoking).

Photo by Cat Klein

The photographer had a high vantage point when taking the photo at the left. The depth of field is very shallow so that the only think in focus is the little girl's face, which inevitably draws the viewer to look at her eyes. The tiles the girl is sitting on leads to her face, and the black and white manipulation gives the photo a calm and serene mood.