First Photo:

For the first photo, I used colorful light on the subject’s face, and I think the light creates an intense mood. The mix of purple, blue, and red gives the portrait an emotional and dreamlike feeling. I think the lighting works very well because it makes the face look three-dimensional, drawing viewers’ attention to the eyes and nose. I believe this is one of the strongest parts of this photo. The colors make the background feel alive and give more energy. Also, the shadow on the face further emphasizes the dreamlike mood. One side of the face is bright with color, while the other side fades. This contrast makes the portrait more dramatic. The shadow creates mystery and helps the portrait become more than just a picture. Since the subject’s clothes and hair are a dark color, the dark color of the mix of purple, blue, and red blends very well.

Additionally, the eyes stand out; they look calm yet slightly intense, which lends the photo emotion. I think the eyes add depth and make the photo more alive, drawing the viewer’s eyes to the center of the image. I also like the subject’s facial expression; it is calm and serious, which creates a sense of depth. The neutral expression works well with the lighting because it makes the colors and shadows feel more dramatic.

There are still things that could be improved. The shadow might be a little too strong, and because of this, I think some of the details, like around the eye, disappear. If there had been a little more light, the portrait might feel more balanced.

Second Photo:

In the second photo, the overall mood is quiet and dark. The subject’s facial expression is very natural, which gives the portrait a sense of stillness. Because the expression does not convey a strong emotion, viewers must look more closely at the small details, suchas the slight tension in the eyes. However, I think this facial expression makes the portrait feel thoughtful, as if the subject is deep in his own mind. The calm expression complements the lighting well and helps create a serious atmosphere. The eyes appear slightly weighted, and the soft shadows around them also lend the expression a heavier feel. I think a little more light on the eyes would help bring clarity.

Additionally, the shadow in this photo is the most prominent feature. One half is visibl,e and the otherhalfl fades into darkness. Strongcontrast creates a dramatic shape and adds depth to tthe photograph The shadow gives a sense of feeling that there is something hidden or unspoken. It works very well for adding emotion, and I really like how the shadow is just in this photograph.

There are still some improvements that could make the portrait even stronger. I think a slightly brighter light would help the viewers see more expression and connect with the subject more clearly. The background shadow is interesting, but I think it would be better if the shadow in the backgroundweres a little more balanced.

Third Photo:

In the third photo, the lighting feels very imaginative and expressive. The moon casts a shadowy light behind the subject, giving the portrait a dreamlike quality. Since the combination of red light and moon does not usually go together, the photo feels more dreamlike. The subject’s facial expression is calm and a little serious. I think his facial expression complements the colors and the mysterious atmosphere well. It feels like the subject is looking at something far away, which becomes part of the story. The eyes are slightly in shadow, and it feels as though the subject is lost in their own thoughts. His eyeappearok relaxed, anthis suitsts the calm and dreamy feeling of the image very well.Additionally, the shadow in this image is powerful. Half is bright, and the other half is faded to darkness. This gives the sense of presence, and it feels like it represents his hidden emotions. The side lighting of the faces oftensn the edges of the face. The shadow of the side of the face in the background adds depth to the image. The red and white tones make the portrait feel more emotional, and the moon shaped light creates a focal point, drawing the viewers’ attention to the center.

I think it would be better if the moon in the background was sharper. Since the edge is soft, it does not make a strong contrast. I think that if the contrast was even stronger, it would’ve changed the portrait’s mood and would be more polished.

My main focus was unique lighting, but I wanted to try and see how natural light works, so I took this photo. I was lying down on the ground so that the background is the sky.

The lighting creates small dotted shadows, and this makes the photo feel dramatic

The lighting and shadow in the subject’s face add a slightly dramatic tone. Also, since there’s a shadown on the subject’s eyes, it more emphasizes his face and eyes.

Derrick Freske is a portrait photographer who is best known for dramatic lighting portraits. His works often feels dreamy and cinematic, making his style popular in portrait photography. Freske often uses two different colored lights on the face, usually blue, red, purple, orange, cyan, and magenta. These colors create a high-contrast mood and an eye-catching appearance. Even though the colors are intense, the light itself is usually soft, with no harsh shadows, and it has a glossy appearance. Freske blends colors smoothly in the background and on the face, creating a gradient atmosphere. His colors give his portraits a modern and dreamy feeling. Freske often crops tightly on the face or upper body, allowing him to emphasize expression and lighting. Sometimes, subjects turn their heads, look off-camera, touch their faces, and hold a dramatic pose to create energy. His themes are identity, beauty, and emotional intensity.

This is Derrick Freske’s work. I got inspired by this photo because I think the colors are very unique, and it makes the photo more dramatic. The blue light gives a metallic tone, and it adds a sense of intensity. The red light adds warmth and emotion to the photo. The portrait is closely framed, and the angles create dynamic energy. After examining this photo, I attempted to create unique light patterns, strong contrast, and a dramatic mood.

I have been inspired by portrait photographers who use lighting in creative ways to express emotion. The one with colored light and reflection shows how lighting can change the mood of an image. The one with contrast (light and shadow) creates mystery and intensity.

The title of this project is Faces in the Light. In this project, I want to explore how light, shadow, and physical objects interact with the human face to create new meanings. The title emphasizes my goal of approaching portrait photography to capture a mood or reveal something hidden. By using unique lighting, and certain features, I aim to create portraits that feel intimate, mysterious, and emotionally charged.

The societal/cultural issue I want to explore with my photographs is how identity and emotion are hidden beneath the surface. I want to focus on how people present themselves and how light and shadow can symbolize the parts of ourselves that are concealed.

I want my audience to feel a sense of curiosity. I want them to know the subtleties of emotion and expression, and to feel as if they are peering into a private world. The light and shadow should evoke mystery and encourage viewers to think about the hidden layers within others.

I will get inspiration and develop my ideas by looking for photographs that

experiment with dramatic lighting, unique angles, and creative compositions. I want to study how photographers use dramatic and unique lighting to convey mood and emotion.

I want to explore how people perceive themselves compared to how others perceive them. Many people reveal only a small part of who they are, and the rest remains hidden. Through the use of lighting and shadow in my portraits, I aim to create contrast that reveals the aspects of people that they often keep private. This relates to a cultural issue where people feel pressure to be confident. My photographs will focus on the reality behind the pressure.

A photograph is not only a photograph of a face, but also a way of expressing someone. A portrait can be a capture of a moment of emotion or person’s personality that is not visible in everyday life.

I think selfies can be considered as portraits if they are taken with purpose. Cindy Sherman uses her face, but transforms herself into different characters. He photography really shows how identity can shift depending on lighting and expression. Even though she takes photographs of herself, they feel portraits because she explores who a person can become. Also, she uses different techniques, which makes her photographs to be seen as portraits.

A portrait does not always have to include a full face. It can only be some parts that help the viewers to understand the subject. Irving Penn photographed people with very plain backgrounds so that nothing would distract the subject. A good portrait makes the viewers to see the most meaningful part of the image. I think eyes show the most meaning because eyes convey emotions.

Portraits does not always have to be clear. If a photograph is faded or blurred, it may feel more like an abstract photography. But still, it can be a portrait if it expresses something about the person’s identity.

It can still be a portrait even without the person being in the frame. Objects can also represent someone too. Rinko Kawauchi photographs small items that shows a person’s presence. For example, she captures things like a butterfly resting on a window. The butterfly feels delicate and it feels like it is passing feeling and memory. Even though we do not see the person directly, the photographs suggests who Rino Kawauchi tried to show using the lights and mood.

A portraid does not have to be a single photo. A sequence of images can express different sides of someone. Some photographers use series to explore a subject’s life and surroundings. One image might hsow the face and the other might show the room they live in, which creates a fuller understanding of the person together.

Best Three Photos

The image shows an older person walking away from the camera while pulling a cart. The woman is on a quiet road, creating a sense of isolation. The color of the photo helps to convey the real-life, everyday quality of the moment. The tone is soft and moderate, with no extreme contrasts. Also, the gentle daylight adds a sense of calmness. The composition is balanced and calm. The main subject, the older woman, is centered, and the road guides the viewers’ eyes into the depth of the image.

I took the photo from a standing position because I wanted the viewers to feel like they were looking at the older woman. I also tried to emphasize the leading lines that are used in the roads, so that it shows the continuity and repetition of everyday life. The foreground is the top of the cart and the person’s feet. The midground is the person, the art, and the road. The background features a sidewalk, roads, parked cars, and a street view.

The focus is sharp on the person and cart, with a moderate depth of field; the background is transparent but not distracting. The colors are natural, and the red jacket draws attention to the subject. The scene feels relatable and makes the viewer consider themes such as routine or the passage of time.

This is a photo of a man swimming in a river in a Hutong. The man represents the tradition of morning exercise common in the Hutong, showcasing harmony between humans and nature. The clear light blue color of the river emphasizes the beauty of nature.

The tone is soft and pleasant, with gentle colors and reflections in the water, which gives the picture a peaceful feel. The image has movement and energy, which is emphasized by the swimmer. The framing is dynamic yet stable, with overhanging leaves that add visual interest and depth.

I took this photo while standing, shooting horizontally across the water at a moderate distance, with the focus on the swimmer. The swimmer is placed off-center, allowing for the water’s surface to create dynamic visual tension using the rule of thirds.

The foreground is rippling water where the swimmer moves, the midground is the swimmer’s head, arms, and upper body, and the background is the reflections and leaves that arc into the frame from the upper right.

The focus is tightly on the swimmer and water, evoking emotion or contemplation. It is sharply focused on the swimmer with enough depth, but the soft background suggests a medium aperture.

The image depicts a bustling street scene with numerous people strolling along a traditional street. The main subject is the man in the center riding a bicycle. The street is filled with people and bicycles, suggesting a lively everyday urban environment.

The image is in color, which adds warmth to the photo. The tones of clothing and the surroundings make the scene feel alive. Also, the green of the willow trees at the back adds a sense of Toneslness. Tones are soft, there’s no natural contrast. If it were black and white, the image might feel more nostalgic, focusing on texture and contrast rather than the atmosphere of daily life.

The composition feels casual; as people move in different directions, creating a sense of energy. It is not overly structured, so it captures a natural moment. I took this photo from eye level, creating a relatable perspective. The main subject (the man with a bicycle) is positioned at the center, following the rules of thirds. This gives balance while still showing the lively street around him.

The foreground features a man on a bicycle, the midground shows people walking down the street, and the background displays traditional shops, willow trees, and more people. This layering gives depth and realism. The focus is sharp on the men in the foreground, while the background is a little softer.

The image captures ordinary human life, people going their ways, but are connected through a shared space. The calm expressions and soft sunlight evoke a sense of community and quiet resilience. Additionally, the man in the center appears isolated, as he is positioned at the center of the photo and stands far away from the other people. I think the photo would be better if the person wearing the red jacket were not in it, because I believe it distracts the viewer.