FINAL PHOTOS-PORTRAITURE

Fletcher

My theme for this unit was to explore how a person’s expression, and subtle details about their body language can communicate emotion and individuality. Instead of focusing on dramatic settings, I wanted to capture people as they actually are and the natural ways they hold themselves, the quiet emotions on their face, and the small, honest moments that tell a story.

-Lighting is super dramatic and the deep blue tones make it feel cinematic and give the whole shot a mood. -The shadows on the face add depth, showing the structure of the cheeks and eyes without being too harsh. -The pose is dynamic and I like the way the arm is raised with the ball creates a sense of motion, like something’s about to happen. -The framing is tight and intentional, keeping the focus on the expression and the ball. -The expression looks natural, not forced, which makes the photo feel more real and storytelling. -The contrast between the red ball and the blue lighting makes the ball pop visually. -The background is simple, so nothing distracts from the subject.

— Strong focal point created by the two students looking toward the camera — Natural candid moment that feels authentic and unposed — Leading lines from the tables and chairs guiding the viewer’s eyes toward the subjects — Balanced composition with the subjects on one side and the classroom elements on the other — Depth and layering from the background students and classroom objects — Color harmony with greens, whites, and muted hoodie colors creating a calm palette — Storytelling quality from the glance back at the camera — Good use of the environment to give context and atmosphere

 

 

The lighting is beautiful and it creates a clean split between light and shadow, which makes the portrait look dramatic and artistic. The shadows fall really smoothly, giving the face depth without being harsh. The subject’s expression feels natural and thoughtful, which adds emotion and storytelling. The angle of the face works well, showing the highlights on the cheek and nose. The textured green jacket adds visual interest, giving the shot a nice contrast between smooth skin and rough fabric. The background is simple, so all the attention stays on the person. The composition feels intentional, with the subject slightly turned and the light coming from above or the side. There’s a soft, warm tone to the skin, which works really well with the lighting style.

 

 

 

I’m inspired by Gordon Parks because of the way he used light and shadow to tell a story, and I tried to bring that same feeling into my own portraits. Parks often created dramatic contrast that highlighted a person’s expression and mood, and I used a similar approach by shaping the light from one side to create depth. Studying his portraits helped me understand how a single light source can completely change the mood of a photo, and that influence shows up in the way I compose and light my own work.

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