What makes a particular photograph a portrait?
The lens are focused on a particular/particular objects that represents identity of that object
•Are Selfies Portraits?
A selfie is a portrait, “selfies” are a self-taken portrait using a device. Nowadays, people usually use smartphones or devices such as cameras and laptops to capture photos of themselves.
•What should or shouldn’t be included within a portrait?
A portrait could include a subject ( a person, a group of people, animal, flower, object) to focus on. Portraits can be done in multi-media such as in a painting, in photos, structured as a sculpture. Portrait could be in black and white filter, or it may include mixed colors in order to create a strong visual impact
•What makes a “good portrait?”
A good portrait can not be defined, as long as the photographer believe he/she’s photograph is worth being valued, it is a good portrait.
•Can a portrait consist of a small detail only, such as a close-up of a hand?
I believe portrait can be any type of photos that has a focus, wether if it’s picture of hands or pictures that focuses on animals or people.
•When does a more abstracted representation cease to become a portrait – for example a blurred figure, or a photograph of a person that has been torn, ripped or faded?
These abstract portraits not only exhibit the objective its self, but ripped or faded background creates the atmosphere of a different mood.
•Is it possible to represent a person photographically without them being present in the image – for example, through a Still-life, an arrangement of inanimate of objects? And if so, can this continue to be called a portrait?
It is possible to represent a person, but possibly only his identity. The use of objects allows us to have a general understanding, or guess about how that person might be like (gender, age, nationality, hobbies, etc.) WIthout the person being present in the image, it may be possible to construct their outline using collage and canvas.
•Does a portrait have to be a single photograph? How about a sequence of images?
Portraits can be represented in a sequence of photos if they focus on the same storyline. A sequence of photos might even allow viewers to get a deeper understanding rather than displaying one photo.