1. Introduction to Portraiture

Subject, background, and emotion in a photo can make the particular photograph a portrait. When they are combined together and convey a solid feeling to the audience, the photo becomes a portrait. Selfies are considered one of the types of self-portraits. A portrait should include a subject, which should be at least one person or something related to people. A portrait could be a single photograph or a sequence of images. As long as they aligned with the idea of a portrait. A good portrait expresses emotions to the audience by making the subject stand out. However, no actual rules define a “good” portrait. Moreover, it is hard for portraits that only consist of small detail to carry messages or feelings to the audience, but if the photos can convey emotions to the audience, they can be consideredportraits.

A photo that attempts to represent both abstract and portraiture is considered an abstract portrait. A blurred figure of a person can convey a strong emotion to the audience, and the subject is a person, which aligns with the concept of a portrait. At this stage, an abstract photo can become a portrait.

It is possible to represent a person photographically without them being present in the image. For instance, a chambermaid, Sophie Calle, took photos of guests’ belongings to represent people. It can be called a portrait since it still aligns with the style of the portrait.

 

2/3. Mind Map & Finding a Focus

For this project, I want to convey the concept of facing and breaking obstacles in our life in my photographs. We will experience many obstacles throughout our life, and we should face them and break them, not be trapped by them. My audience will feel strongly encouraged after seeing my photos since these photos carry the message of breaking obstacles. Instead of being trapped, we should break through them by ourselves. I will use glass or mirrors (reflection) to represent obstacles and include light to represent hope in my photographs. These photographs will take in a dark space, which could be in the studio.

 

4. Image inspiration

 

I am inspired by Alessio Albi’s photographs. The composition and the use of light and reflection in her pictures inspired me greatly. The emotions that these photos carried remind me of helpless. However, unlike Alessio Albi’s photographs, I want to add the concept of “hope” into my photographs to encourage the audience, and still, I will take photos in similar styles.

This is the image that inspired me the most since it is possible for me to copy the style in the studio. Moreover, it also best represents my vision, the light and the gesture together can create the sense of “breaking through”. This is the style that I want to take for this project.

 

5. Mood Board

 

6. Statement of intent

The title of this project is “ESCAPE.” The societal issue I want to explore with my photographs is facing and breaking difficulties in our life. I want my audience to feel encouraged and give them the courage to solve any problem they will face. I will get inspiration and develop my ideas by looking for photographs that are in the style of Alessio Albi or photographs that express the emotion of helplessness or hope.