Around here, the meaning of portrait and character study are much more like Bill has said. Perhaps it has meaning based on the intent. In a character study, one is trying to bring out something more about the person than just the exterior view. In a portrait one is trying to show a pleasing view of the exterior.
Perhaps another way to think of it is that portraits are regularly asked for and paid for by the subject. Character studies may not be. I'm sure in different parts of the world, there is a difference of meaning of these words. And, at times, even with different meanings, a single photograph could show both. One of the easiest tests of the portrait success is if the subject is happy with the image. So Jostein, has the subject seen this image and what did he think? -- Bruce Friday, April 10, 2009, 4:23:39 AM, you wrote: >> 2009/4/9 William Robb <[email protected]>: >> > Had you called it a character study, then I would have commented >> > differently. You called it a portrait, and that had a great >> deal to do with >> > my response to it. >> >> hmm... >> That's interesting. Didn't cross my mind that the word "portrait" >> primed people that much. Or maybe that my understanding of the word is >> that deviant... :-) >> >> Another lesson learned, hopefully. >> >snip< BW> I always think of 'character study' and 'portrait' as synonymous. To me the BW> whole point of a portrait is to reveal something of the person's character BW> to the viewer. Otherwise it's just a mug shot, or a study in texture or BW> form. BW> Bob -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
