What makes a particular photograph a portrait?

A portrait is a photograph or artwork that captures the identity or essence of an individual. Selfies can serve as portraits since they express a person’s likeness and emotions, albeit in a less formal way. A good portrait includes elements that reveal the subject’s identity—such as their face, expression, or significant objects—while minimizing distractions that don’t enhance the subject’s essence.

Effective portraits reflect the subject’s personality and employ strong composition and lighting to evoke emotion. It’s also possible for a portrait to focus on small details, like a hand, if it conveys meaning about the subject. Even a blurred or manipulated image can qualify as a portrait if it maintains a connection to the person’s identity. However, when the subject becomes unrecognizable, it transitions from a portrait to something more abstract or conceptual.

Additionally, still-life arrangements of personal objects can symbolize a person and be considered a portrait if they evoke aspects of their identity, personality, or life. Ultimately, capturing the essence of a person is more important than simply depicting their image. A series of images can also form a portrait, especially when exploring various facets or perspectives of the individual, providing a richer and more layered representation than a single shot.