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Portraiture is any picture or photograph that aesthetically portrays the creator’s message so that everyone can nod their head sympathetically. Thus, the more beautiful visual elements and clearer the photograph’s message, the better the portrait would become.

In this regard, Selfies, a photograph that one has taken of oneself, can be defined as a portrait if it has a clear message.

Here are some examples:

We can see that man is pleased to visit the city because man is indicating it.

We can notice that she is happy because she winks at the camera

They are showing off their courage by sitting and standing on the top of the tower.

Thus, if people didn’t find out the photographer’s intended purpose in the photograph, it is not a good photo.

Some portraits consist of a small detail only, such as a close-up of a hand or a blurred figure or a photograph of a person that has been torn, ripped, or faded. That kind of picture stimulates viewers’ imagination by allowing them to guess the photographer’s message. In the same way, Along those same lines, photography without a person being photographically present in the image like an arrangement of inanimate objects can be called a portrait because of its endless possibilities of showing the photographer’s message.

But when photographers’ message is more than one meaning or hard to fill up in only one photograph, they shall take a sequence of photographs to depict their large meaning.

Because of the long curvy line in this photograph, it makes me feel comfortable. This calm mood is enhanced by the sun shining on the houses. Furthermore, the photograph conforms to a rule of perspective, making me feel as if I were inside the photograph.

Second photograph

Third photograph

Overall evaluation

The subject of these pictures is the industrial or huge building that inspired Albert Renger-Patzsch. Albert gazed at several weapons and industrial factories in awe during WW1. Inspired by the photography, he chose to take a picture that purely describes the objects the best; for example, if he took a picture of the house, he found the prettiest feature in the photograph without adding esthetic elements that may digress from its identity. Likewise, I was inspired by a large soccer field in the school as well as many buildings in Beijing. Albert suggests that anything has value, but it’s on us to find what its value is. My vision is to show how much I love my daily life in Beijing by describing the buildings that inspired me the most without adding anything. Therefore, I want the spectator can recognize my passion and happiness with my photographs; hence my vision is somewhat related to what Albert was pursuing.

The first photograph

I did a decent job adjusting the camera angle and taking the first snapshot at the appropriate time. The person and ball stand out against the background due to the color and texture of the ground. Furthermore, the person’s pose adds to the picture’s dynamic quality. Although it would have been better if I had taken it somewhere lighter, I believe this photograph will capture other people’s views for sure.

The second photograph

Unlike the first photograph, I believe the second photograph’s exposure to the light is excellent, but the person’s pose seems incomplete, making me uncomfortable. And I like that the photograph’s background has subtle yet distinct patterns that draw attention to the individuals in the shot. Besides this, I found the snapper’s shadow unintentionally harmonizes with the background.

The third photograph

I researched the work of Albert Renger-Patzsch.
While I was doing that, I found that his painting is commonly
black and white, and the structure that has the patterns.
So, here are my photos that resemble his works.
I then started to select photos that can express my vision
the most effective.
(My initial vision – we need to protect our environment, especially
from air pollution and habitat destruction)

To be honest, I think those photographs are so excellent that I cannot distinguish which is blue and which is green!

But if I have to choose 3 out of those pictures, I would choose:

The first photograph

The long horizontal line in the middle of the photograph shows the direction, attracting viewers’ eyes. The clouds that form pattern gives a sense of calm to the viewers.

The second photograph

The third photograph

 Albert Renger-Patzsch (1897-1966) was a photographer from Germany. He was known as the New Objectivity’s eager helper.

Speaking of the New Objectivity, the movement commenced with German artists, focused on reality. The action, then, emerged as a reaction against expressionism, claiming that it is limited and shallow.

Albert Renger-Patzsch saw several weapons and industrial factories when he was involved in WW1. After WW1, he worked as a press photographer in Chicago Tribune. Certainly, those experiences may affect his direction in the performing arts. 

He then became a freelancer. He published the book “The choir of stalls of Cappenberg” in 1925. He held the first exhibition in 1927. And he published “The world is beautiful” in 1928, and the book became his best-known. 

In the book “The world is beautiful,” he photographed many pictures such as mass-produced objects, nature, and industrial buildings. In doing so, he said that photography, when it is separate from art, has its own qualities. 

He wrote: “The secret of a good photograph—which, like a work of art, can have esthetic qualities—is its realism … Let us, therefore, leave art to artists and endeavor to create, with the means peculiar to photography and without borrowing from art, photographs which will last because of their photographic qualities.”

mind map Notes :

https://mm.tt/1767905478?t=OcqnTYBFZQ

https://www.mindmeister.com/1767905478?t=OcqnTYBFZQ

Vision notes:

My passion for Soccer.

I want to describe how much I love my life in Beijing in my triptych. I am happy whenever I go to school or other places. I want the audience to empathize with my happiness and passion when looking at my presentation. For inspiration, I will find a photographer interested in building and facilities that I like the most, especially soccer fields, because I found soccer the main source of my pleasure. In my opinion, we have to respect each other’s passion and encourage them to achieve their dreams happily.

Given those pictures, we can indicate which formal element(s) is/are best represented in each picture.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

1. The picture is divided into white and black rectangular. (shape)
2. There is one square in roughly middle of the picture. (shape)
3. There are numerous lines that spread everywhere in the picture and make some patterns. (line, pattern)
4. The white line and black line are rotating. (line, pattern)
5. Black vertical lines divide the picture into 3 parts. (line)
6. There is one circle in the middle of the picture (shape)
7. There are one horizontal line and two vertical lines. (line)
8. There are 25 circles in regular order. (shape, pattern)
9. There are many squares that congruent to each other. (shape, pattern)
10. The black line is a diagonal line that sets up a dynamic tension or sense of movement. (line)
11. Same as 10, but the vertical line makes the picture more magnificent.
12. It seems to be coarse. (texture)