Montage: Activity 1

Briefly discuss why you think painters of the Victorian period might have criticized these early photomontages and why the pictures were popular with the general public. (This technique of piecing together separate images to create one picture is again very popular with both artists and the media).
What two reasons can you think of for this revival of an old technique?

The Victorian period might have criticized these early photomontages because this type of photography, although sometimes obvious, is manipulative. Shows what is untrue and gives photographers a bad name because anyone can use this to their advantage to lie. Although, making photographers more and more famous while proving that photography is an art and can be creative/artistic. The only reason to revive this technique other than it being an art form, is to be manipulative, the media can use this to their advantage and make us believe whatever they want.

Portraiture and Studio Photography: Activity 3

Collect four portrait images with two to five subjects.In at least one image the subject should have been placed in the foreground.Comment on the arrangement of the subjects in relation to the camera and the effectiveness of the design.

Mitchell Kanashkevich

The placement of the children was natural, and they don't look like they were placed there, they just sort have happened to be standing the way they were, which was convenient for the photographer.

Lisa O'Dwyer

The placement of the three women was not natural, They definitely were placed, yet this photo is interesting and the placement was important because the two woman to the right are staring at the bride; the obvious subject of the photo. Also, they are below her, making her look the most desirable in a way.

Portraiture and Studio Photography: Activty 2

Find four portraits that demonstrate the different ways a photographer has framed the image to alter the design and content. Discuss the vantage point, depth of field and subject placement in all of the images.

Courtney Ortiz

Dave Hill

Julia Tsoona

Vinit Bhatt

Each of these images show a different vantage point and angle the photographer has used to take the photo. The top left taken from underneath the face and body, top right taken from her side profile, the bottom left taken straight on, and the bottom right taken from above the face and body. Subject placement matters for the bottom right and top left, The person has to be taller or shorter in some way to get these angled shots. The photo taken from underneath has their subject sitting on some sort of ledge or roof higher than the photographer. The one taken from above is of a child, a child being smaller than the adult photographer. The only photo with an obvious change in depth of field is the one in the bottom left, where her face is the only thing in focus and the background is unrecognizable; shallow depth of field. The top right photo of the racer has everything in focus, but most detail is shown on the subject; great depth of field.