About Us
ASSIGNMENT 8
PORTRAITS
This assignment is all about people.
1. Posed portraits with ambient/natural light
Dunster House, Cambridge, MA, USA. 25/07/2023
1/30s at f=3.2, exposure bias: 0 EV; ISO 125; focal length: 35mm
Lightroom Adjustment: shadows +60 tint +11
My friend who is taking a course about resilience of modern cities becomes another victim of mine. She was cycling all day and then caught in a rain, that's why she looks so exhausted. I promised her I will have this photo shooting done within 10 minutes. I intentionally put the helmet in the frame so that the audience can probably guess where her tired face comes from. I would like to add some light onto her face but her fatigue said no.
1/60s at f=3.2, exposure bias: 0 EV; ISO 400; focal length: 43mm
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My pretty roommate standing in the beautiful sunset shadows with her hair glowing.
2. Environmental Portraits
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, MA, USA. 25/07/2023
1/60s at f=4.0, exposure bias: 0 EV; ISO 640; focal length: 39mm
An aged woman was observed engrossed in a cinematic presentation of President John F. Kennedy delivering a speech during his presidential candidacy announcement, wherein he passionately articulated his deep concerns for the nation and its people. The speech exhibited a compelling and emotive tone, evoking a profound emotional response from the lady, who was moved to tears. The poignant atmosphere extended beyond the elderly woman, permeating the entire museum, owing to the exceptional architectural design by I.M. Pei.
4. Self-Portraits
Kirkland House, Cambridge, MA, USA. 24/07/2023
3.1s at f=16, exposure bias: 0 EV; ISO 640; focal length: 56mm
REFLECTION:
Learning the art of photographing portraits of people has been an enriching and transformative experience.
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The first and most profound lesson I encountered was the significance of the connection and collaboration between the photographer and the subject. Photographing other people is challenging because there is always too much uncertainty, and the subject's opinion needs to be respected when this person is aware of the photo shooting. It requires establishing an emotional bond with the subject. Engaging in genuine conversations, understanding their stories, and trying to experience their emotions in the context help contributing to photos that both of the parties are happy with.
One technical aspect I explored during my learning process was the correction of white balance settings in different shooting environments. In indoor settings, I learned to balance the warm and cool tones, considering the impact of artificial light sources. Outdoors, I encountered the challenge of managing natural light, understanding how it changes throughout the day, and how it interacts with different skin tones.
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Furthermore, I discovered the power of using different shutter speeds to represent various emotions and actions. A fast shutter speed freezes motion, capturing fleeting moments filled with energy and excitement. On the other hand, a slower shutter speed allows for deliberate motion blur, ideal for conveying a sense of calmness, tranquility, or a dreamlike quality in the portrait.
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