A portrait is a representation of the person it is taken of, A portrait is meant to portray a persons emotions,mood or even personality in fine detail. Before the camera was invented portraits were only made for the rich and powerful because they was very expensive.
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| A Portrait Taken Of King Henry |
Context
Portraits are used in many different ways for example kings and queens would hang them in places such as above the fireplace or another example would be that portraits get displayed in art galleries or family homes. Portraits are even used for things such as id cards or passports or even as display pictures on internet sites. Portraits were also manipulated by photographers to show what the photographer wants you to see. Photographers such as Larry Clark used portraiture to expose the reality of American suburban life showing through his photos things such as ilegal drug use, underage sex and violence. Whereas photographer Diane Arbus used portraiture to show pictures of people whose normality seemed ugly or surreal.
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| Larry Clark |
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| Diane Arbus |
Technique
The techniques used to take portraits can vary greatly for example a portrait may be taken in a proffesional studio set up or it could be taken outside in the spur of the moment with anything as the backdrop.
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| Portrait Taken Outside |
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| Portrait Taken In A Studio Set Up |
