just a statement of fact

[mysteryscribe]

Not really the eye is in the composition the rest is just makeup. You shot a hell of a well composed shot.

 

[Amper]

Just want to say I love these two photographs/portraits (after reading all this I've lost the ability to really decide one way or the other ) and I've spent the past 15 mins. just studying all the little details. Fab work! I just :heart: :heart: :heart: them both!

 

[markc]

I'm not even going to talk about the tech aspects of the images. I don't think that that matters in this thread. But I do want to say that they both capture something about the person, and I think that's the hard part. I especially feel like you've shown me a bit of who Brian is. Looking at this picture, I just want to give the guy a hug.

 

[J.E.]

Not really the eye is in the composition the rest is just makeup. You shot a hell of a well composed shot.

I think this is the nicest things anyone has ever said about a picture of mine. Thank you, mysteryscribe.


Regarding the topic of 'portrait' vs. 'no portrait': Could it be that you guys define portrait simply on two different levels of meaning?

One level of meaning would be the rather techical definition of what makes a portrait a portrait, i.e. a photograph where a person is the main subject.

The other level of meaning goes beond that and lays a claim to a portrait to meet certain requirements beyond the technical aspects, like "does it say something about the person", "is it of a certain quality", "does it 'catch' something more", "does it convey more than just the outlines of a subject". A more artistic approach, so to speak, whilst the first level is rather a technical approach.

Reading your arguments I get the feeling that you may simply be debating on two different levels of meaning. Just a thought. :blushing:

 

[LaFoto]

Actually, the basic line of all this discussion was mysteryscribe's saying that NOT every photo with a person in it is a portrait. No more. No less.

 

[The_Traveler]

NOT every photo with a person in it is a portrait.

Hurrah

 

[elsaspet]

I'm not even going to talk about the tech aspects of the images. I don't think that that matters in this thread. But I do want to say that they both capture something about the person, and I think that's the hard part. I especially feel like you've shown me a bit of who Brian is. Looking at this picture, I just want to give the guy a hug.

That's the difference in a nut shell imo. A "pitcher" is a photo that doesn't really give anyone but a family member an insight into the person.
A portrait tells me a bit about the person. It's more about the composion and expression than anything else.

JMO

 

[mysteryscribe]

And the wheel turns round and round...

 

[elsaspet]

Agreed. I get kinda confused sometimes with the heading "portrait" when it doesn't tell me anything about the person. But then again, I know its personally hard for me when taking my own family and friends photo. Because I know the person, I tend to assume that everyone does, and I don't struggle as much to attain the "true and telling expression".
Does that make sense?
Anyhoo, I think that a lot of shooters tend to do the same thing.

 

[THORHAMMER]

a female is always a woman, but she is not always a LADY, just symantics guys. He means that sometimes people are just caught in a picture that may be art/landscape/ etc... whatever...

they are not necessarily the focal point of the picture, and maybey steps were not taken to light them properly, etc...

A shoot of a bottle of cologne for a cologne AD with a off-center 3/4 of a car in the corner as background, would you say that its a car shoot ?

 

[elsaspet]

I am 42 years old. I have emphasema.
I'm not using that as a reason why I can't get the job done. I can. And they are goona be really happy campers.
I feel for, but cant go with the tired folks, and all that. I've got a few years and I;m gonna do what I can.
I'm a perfectionist. I paid a whole lot of money to learn. My learning curve is pretty curvy, and I'm ok with that.

 

[elsaspet]

I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO EDIT.
WHATEVER.o
I

Dangit. Sorry the meds. I wanted to say, thank you for your well wishes. It's gonna work out either way.
Love you guys,
Cindy

 

[mysteryscribe]

I approve of your attitude highly by the way. Do what you can while you can. Not much more anyone can do.

In the words of Jimmy Valvanno (whose that you ask) Never give up, never give up, and one final thing never give up.

 

[elsaspet]

xxxooo Mystery. Thanks! It's all gonna work out.