What is a Portrait

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What is a portrait? Portraits are one of most common forms of photography. However, “what is a portrait?” is such a vague question because a portrait could be defined as many things. An official dictionary definition of the word describes a portrait as “a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders (Merriam Webster).” The photographer’s aim is to give prominence to the face of the person because this will be the focus and story of the photograph. However, this doesn’t mean that the person’s body cannot be included. Under portrait photography, the body language and background of the photograph are important, but the most emphasis should be on the person’s face, facial expression, and distinct facial features. Although this is an accurate description of what a portrait is in general, a portrait is so much more than that to me.
As a student photographer and someone who loves to take photos, I believe a portrait is something that can portray who a person really is. My favorite kind of photographs to look at (as well as take), are the kind where you can look at them and they capture you. I love to look at a photo that makes me want to know more about the person in it. I love when I can see their emotions and feelings right across their face. There is nothing more beautiful than a photograph of a bride holding her bouquet on her wedding day when you can just see how happy and in love she is. However, I also love when you have to analyze the photo a bit deeper and realize what it is truly about. A portrait that conveys a message is the most intriguing. A portrait doesn’t have to be of someone beautiful or someone skinny. For me, it just has to be ...

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...rs to portraits where importance is given to suggest the life or event of the individuals depicted. It can be a combination of environmental portrait and candid portrait styles. Fashion, beauty, and food industries often use lifestyle images to evoke emotions in viewers by depiction of everyday life. Lifestyle is one of the most popular style of portraiture; these types of photos are taken for baby’s milestone birthdays, Christmas photos, maternity photos, and engagement photos just to name a few.
Conceptual portraiture refers to images where the concept is a fourth dimension. The hidden meaning of the concept will leave the viewer guessing as it is often open for interpretation. Conceptual artists often get offended when asked what they meant in their photograph. It is the job of the viewer to decide. Conceptual Portraits are often used in advertising photography.

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