Straight images - Studio back of head

Straight images - studio back of head 

Work diary - Back of head portraiture location

Work diary - Back of head portraiture location:


In this session our topic was back of head portraiture, our task was to photograph the backs of people heads with a slightly blurred background. the point of this was for us to learn about the angles and composition of things in our pictures. This will be useful for when we shoot front of head portraiture as we will be able to think about composition when taking the picture and will be able to think where we position the eyes in the photo. if I could do this topic again I would think of more creative places to take my pictures so that my backgrounds are not always the same, I would also try to think of more original ways  to position and photography the backs of peoples heads.

The pictures below are what  feel are my best pictures. I like the picture above as I think that it look natural and unposed, I also like how the person is not in the middle of the picture but it is still clear that they are the main focus for the picture. I think like the picture below as I think that its original and is a different way of photographing the backs of peoples heads so that all the pictures don't look the same. I think that both of these pictures could be improved by making the backgrounds clearer or empty so that theres not a busy background going on behind the photo.

I have chosen to use these pictures to show the different ways of photographing back of head portraiture. The image above shows the back of someones head with quite a busy background for you to also focus on. I think that this allows the image to portray and deeper meaning and get across a emotion. The picture below is just of the back of the head with a plain background so there is less to focus on in the image. this allows for the picture to just focus on the back of the persons head.

Straight images - back of head portraiture Location

Straight images - back of head portraiture 

Image bank - back of heads portraits

Image bank - back of head portraits

The images that i have chosen all show the backs of a persons head. This is to think about perspective and positioning in photography. Commonly, in back of head portraits the background is blurred, this is so that the person looking at the photo can see that the background is not important in this setting of photo. This helps the photographer get across the main effect of the image.

In this image the back of head portrait has been placed against a busy background to give it sense of scenery and is able to allow the choice of clothing to sit in with the theme.

In the two images above the simple backgrounds highlights the simplicity of the back of head portrait. In this image there is nothing to distract people and they can easily see the type of hair of the people.

In this image the angle of the head in the photo allows you to see some more of the face and head, this gives a different perspective to the photo. This make the focus also look towards the face with the back not being the most important part.

In this image the use of tone helps to make the back of head be the simple focus of the image. The one colour shows the back of the head fitting in to the scenery without questioning the actual place and the style of the person.

In this image the plain background helps to focus on the back of the head which highlights the focus onto the hair. The focus on the hair allows for a difference in perspective and can show some of a persons identity without seeing their face.

Image bank - portraiture

Image bank - portraiture

I have chosen the images below to represent portraiture, these pictures range from studio portraits and black and white portraits. Each of these pictures can show a different style and mood in there photos.

In this image the portrait is effective because you can see a clear headshot of a person. You can see all the features of the person in the image, and the frame is adapted to be the right size for that person. In this picture you can clearly see who the photo is of, and the use of colour helps to enhance different features on their face.

In these two images the clear use of colour allows you to see the natural colourings in the peoples faces, this helps you to see a persons individual features. The colour also helps to highlight whatever emotion is being expressed and make it appear more natural on the face.

The first 3 images that i have chosen all have colour in them and you are able to clearly see the features of the person and a true representation of what they look like. The first images and a simple  portrait and you are able to clearly see who the person is, the use of editing has give the image a more unnatural effect which gives the image some originality. The second and third images have been left to show simplicity in the photos, if their is any editing in these two pictures it has been kept at a minimum so that the picture its self can give off the desired effect.

In the first image the use of tone allows the dark hair to be a major focus of the image. This draws in attention to be focused on this part of the image. The use of tone is also able to highlight the eyes in this image by making the black standout even more making the eyes become a prominent feature.

In these two images the use of tone is able to balance out the image and make it become completely focused on the emotions in the photo. In these images two different emotions are being shown yet the same effect can be used to highlight these different emotions.

The second 3 images that i have chosen have all been edited in black and white, this gives the images a more serious look the them. The first image has been edited in that way so that the picture is give a more dark and mysterious look to it, I personally think that this has been achieved. The second two images are not as serious but they still have that tone to them, the main effect of the black and white is that you can see a clearer focus on the image and it allows you to view it differently.

Definition post - portraiture

Definition post - portraiture 

Definition:A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant.

Describing words: portrayal, profile, account, sketch, figure, model, likeness.

These two pictures that I have chosen from the Internet are the typical kind of pictures that you would think of when thinking portraits. Both of the images show clearly who the person is and you are able to get a clear view of what they look like. The top picture is a more common studio portrait as all the natural colours from the studio where the picture has been taken has been left in. The picture below is a edited portrait where the photographer has decided to turn the picture black and white and then select one aspect and put some colour on it. This style of portrait changes the mood of the picture as it allows you to look at it from a completely perspective. 

These two pictures from the Internet have taken more of a twist on the style that the portrait has been shown. The picture above shows a clear focus just on the person even though there is not a clear background. This is achieved by the blurring of the background as the photographer is able to make the background seem less important in this photo. The photo below is a pop art portrait, these show a more creative view of showing a portrait. The use of colour and simple abstract makes the picture more original and more of a more fun image to look at.

My definition: portraiture is a form of photography that clearly shows quite a detailed perspective of a person. Usually taken mainly of their face.