This photo turned out pretty OK, considering. I tried to use selective focus and put the rail out of focus, and make a leading line leading to my subject. However, the lighting could have been a little better, as  behind her is very bright.

this oen is probably my favorite of the two, because I like the camera angle I placed it in. the off angle adds interest to the viewer, which I thinks make this photo better than the other one. It’s not very typical, but I think it still effectivley demonstrates selective focus and using a horizon line. You can clearly tell I had the flash on however, and that kindove bothers me. But it still turned out all right.

1. Was it easy to take portraits? Why or Why not.

It was fairly easy to take a portrait, as you can ask teh person to more and do whatever you want. This is not always the case as you might be taking a still life or nature shot, it is nearly impossible to get the focal point to be exactly what you want. Even though it was a little awkwad taking pictures of someone, it was alot easier than a nature shot simply because of the posability.

2. What makes a ‘good” portrait? Give examples.

 A good portrait has very well planned lighting, and a well placed  focal point , so that the viewer knows exactly what to look at. Making the person do an interesting pose or having detailed surroundngs can sometimes add, but can also detract from the person. Having someone standing in a crowd could be difficult, orif the person was very far away from the lense, and the background seemes to take up more space wold detract from the point of the photo; to capture someones image.

 3.  Were you able to enhance your photos in Photoshop?   What tools worked best?  Give examples-

I used darkening and lighting to  help the image appear better, so it wasn’t all white or to dark. I also used blur tool fro the background,  to help the focal point stand out more. For some pictures I used the sharpening tool to make something less fuzzy too.

 4.  How did the weather affect your shots?  Is it better to shoot photos on days we have direct sunlight or cloudy days? Why?

Sometimes to much light can make the image unclear, so your not sure what is going on. Thats is why days with indirect sunlight are best, as the light can still be used to add effect, but it will not white wash an image. Well placed light helps a picture, but to much and it will end up loooking really bad.

5. Why do we take portraits as a society?  Examples?

To show how someone looked would be the most blunt answer. Other than that, to document how someone dressed or people acted and how they lived.