Project 1: Portrait, scale and setting

OCA Photography 1:  "This project considers both composition and the weight of attention to place on the face of your subject.  Also, how different scales, different parts of the body need to be taken into account.

Four scales of portrait were completed in this session, images taken within  a cobblers which I felt was and interesting location.

FACE, CROPPED IN CLOSE

The first image of the subject's Face, cropped in close, was shot using a wide aperture (f/2.8).

This was intended to focus the viewers attention to the face leaving the background completely out of focus removing any distractions.

HEAD AND SHOULDERS

The second image, Head and Shoulders, was shot with a narrower aperture (f/5.6).

This was intended to bring the background into focus therefore contributing to the scene. The viewer can identify the bottles, notice board and first aid kit in the background which re-enforces the industrial feeling.

 TORSO, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ARMS AND HANDS

The third image, Torso, taking into account arms and hands, was shot as above, at f/5.6 but with a wider focal length showing what the subject is doing with his hands.

This takes the viewer away from who the subject is and more to what he is doing.

FULL FIGURE

The forth image, Full Figure, was also shot as above (f/5.6) with again a wider focal length, showing what the subject is doing and now, where he is.

This takes the viewer away from what he is doing and invites then to look at the overall scene.

I think the progression in the four images invites the viewer to:

1. look at the subject,,
2. appreciate he is in an industrial situation,
3. see what he is doing and
4. see what he is doing and where he is doing it.