Portraits Final Images

II: This image was well received, it was many peoples favorite image.  It was interpreted as kind of a thoughtful image, sitting daydreaming and having a smoke.  There where very little suggestions on improvement as most thought it was a successful image.  For extension, it was suggested that I may do a series exploring the use of smoke in images.

II: This one was also thoughtful, but less relaxed, though I believe.  The image was well received and it was agreed that the lighting was nice as well as as the reflection in the glasses which gives another aspect because you can see what he is looking at.  To take this further into a series some people suggested focusing on the glasses and reflections.

II: Many people liked this one and his expression, they say it as kind of surprise or confusion, like he just realized his photo was being taken.  They also liked the lighting in this one.  One person suggested doing a series focusing on this subject and his various expressions.

II: Many of the comments about this one were that it feels real and honest, like she is in the room with the viewer or trying to speak to them.  Again, they liked the lighting though some questioned the composition, like the couch in the background and the center-ness of the figure.  After finding out that this is a picture of my roommate right after she woke up, it was suggested that I go around, wake people up and take their picture.

All of these images were made in mostly the same way, so I feel I can pretty much write a general statement about all of them.  They are all candid shots, as candid as you can get with the person knowing that you're taking photos of them.  When my roommates and I were sitting around talking I just started shooting them.  There was very little direction, almost none at all.  Lighting from all except the first was inside with daylight coming in through a sliding door.  The first was taken outside on the balcony.  Th idea behind these was just to grab a little piece of who these people are in everyday life.  I wanted something that felt real which is why I just sat down and chatted like we do every day.