Portrait research

Becuase I knew my goal was to convey information about a character in a single image, I looked into a medium that shares this purpose: photography. To divide the variety of photography into sections is almost impossible, but I made an attempt anyway.

Passport photos

Made for functionality. Usage identification documents (passport, driver's license, mugshot), buisness social media. Natural features. Neutral lighting

Translated information: Facial features, face recognition, posed.

Glamour portaits

Made for beautification of its subject. Usage advertisement (magazines, websites, billboards), actor/actress portfolio. Posed. Heavy makeup and often photo edited.

Translates: the attractive sides of its subject. Portrait often tells more of it’s photographer then it’s model. Luxery, drama. Sometimes a product is promoted. (or it’s effects)

Selfies - moments

Made to share a moment, to tell who you are. Holiday photo’s. Tells something about the photographer and the model. Posed. Casual. Subject both the model (s) as a prop or background.

Translates: Hobbies, destinations, interests, skills, planned emotion, social group. What does the subject look like in this situation/time. (clothing preferences)

Selfies - Sexy shots

Made to beautify the subject. Expressions are tweaked to get the most attractive shots. Tells little about the person. Usage online dating, social media, personal collection.

Translates: attractive sides of the model (or what the model/photographer considers attractive) Background not always intentionally chosen. Appearance.

Staged photoshoot

The captured moment of a staged situation. Conveys the artistic capabilities of the director. Large category, because the range of purposes and goals. Charity organisations sometimes make use of staged photoshoots to gain awareness for their cause. Wedding photoshoots are made on a seperate day to commerate the occasion. Artists design the environment to create unique images.

Journalistic Photography

Catagory credited for it’s realism. Real emotions and situations are captured in the photo’s to convey to the viewer. Journalism evolves around actualities.