Photographic Portrait Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 8000 words

Photographic Portrait - Coursework Example For this he sought a means by which he could generate his work easily through automated image making. Today Photography is a combination of reportage and art. The photographer acts a as manipulator of his subject. He is the creator of his masterpiece unconventional or conventional. It is his knowledge of his equipment his art, his opinion and familiarization of his subject that he can produce and bring forward the unique masterpiece for people to analyze and be mesmerized with. He tells a story through his perspective, his lens. The subject is in the hands of the photographer and it is for him to pull the strings and get the subject do what the photographer wants and produce reactions that the photographer needs. Portrait means painted, drawn, or carved picture of something or a representation of a person especially of face drawn, painted or sculptured. It is also defined as the description or dramatic portrayal of a person. "Portraiture means individualism and as such means diversity, self-expression, and private point of view. The most successful images seem to be those which exist on several planes at once and which reflect the fantasy and understanding of many." Portraiture held different meaning for different times. The oncoming of the twentieth century did away with the carefully poised photographs. The techniques modernized as well as with the subjects the themes as well the photographers. Of the twentieth century the most notable photographers are Annie Leibovitz and Richard Avedon. While Leibovitz style is witty and captures the imagination of the onlookers Avedon's is in contrast captivating with his style of portraying his subjects as edgy. Leibovitz familiarization of her subjects makes them feel easy with her whereas Avedon creates his pictures by making his subjects it in front of the camera and then when they are at ease he shoots. In the 19th century the most popular was miniature portrait which was soon replaced by photography. The first portrait photographers had to compete with the painters so had more of the painter touch to their work. Photography compositions changed in accordance to the period in which they were taken as were themes and subjects. Objective/Aim To study and analyze the theory of photographic portrait and the photographers involved. Learning about the history of photographic portrait and how it evolved during the passage of time. 1- understanding theory of photographic portrait (both historical background and contemporary practices); 2- study portrait work of 2 photographers Avedon and Leibovitz Photographic portraiture: Photographic portraiture has much more to it than just taking a picture and making films. Various tools are incorporated in the process of making a photographic portrait. The goal is always to create something unique. It brings out what is not apparent to the naked eye and instead of capturing the superficial it captures life, personality, mood, relationships etc. A successful photographic portrait is one in which the photographer and the subject both work together in order to obtain perfection. As it aims to bring out the personality hence the subject must be careful about the