essential skills: digital photography in available light
Character study
Environmental portraits often stand alone in editorial work but can also form part of a larger body
of work. A series of environmental portraits may be taken around a single character, or characters,
connected by profession, common interest or theme.
With additional images the photographer is able to vary the content and the style in which the
subject is photographed to defi ne their character within the study. The photographer may choose
to include detail shots such as hands or clothing to increase the quality of information to the
viewer. The study may also include images which focus more on the individual (such as a straight
head and shoulders portrait) or the environment to establish a sense of place.
The images above show the diversity of approach to present the character of a single individual.
The images are of Martin, a homeless individual who lived under a bridge in Melbourne and who
sold copies of The Big Issue to support himself.
ACTIVITY 7
Collect one photographic essay where the photographer has varied the content of the images to
defi ne the character or characters of the individual or individuals.
Describe the effectiveness of the additional images that are not environmental portraits.Sean Killen