Composition: Composing Out Of The Box Portraits (Page 10): I guess I miss the concept of "out of the box." These shots are nice but they are portraits...just portraits. I'm no portrait...

Shel B

I guess I miss the concept of "out of the box." These shots are nice but they are portraits...just portraits. I'm no portrait photographer, though I do shoot some portraits, but isn't a portrait a portrait? Isn't it the photog's job to get the shot...in the box or out?

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

A picture of my nephew, before and after. A grab shot when I had my 300mm lens on at the zoo. The rest is Photoshop.

one shot wrote:

Clever concept. He looks so sad I have to hope maybe he was just made to sit still to have his picture made. You added the tear, right? Is this you or a close relative? There is a resemblance.

one shot Loc: Pisgah Forest NC

Fotoartist wrote:

A picture of my nephew, before and after. A grab shot when I had my 300mm lens on at the zoo. The rest is Photoshop.

Now I understand the expression! Thanks.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Shel B wrote:

I guess I miss the concept of "out of the box." These shots are nice but they are portraits...just portraits. I'm no portrait photographer, though I do shoot some portraits, but isn't a portrait a portrait? Isn't it the photog's job to get the shot...in the box or out?

Shel, thanks for posting.
The idea is NOT for people to mimic what they see or are told is out of the box. The Idea is for some less experienced photographers to define the box they are in to try to step out of that, or beyond that, no matter what anybody else thinks a box is because the box has no definition and is different for everyone.
Many have gotten excited and said they now have something new to try which I assume means they were inspired by one of the posting to go where they haven't yet gone!! And THAT was the whole point!!!
Thanks
SS

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Shel B wrote:

I guess I miss the concept of "out of the box." These shots are nice but they are portraits...just portraits. I'm no portrait photographer, though I do shoot some portraits, but isn't a portrait a portrait? Isn't it the photog's job to get the shot...in the box or out?

Since you did not use "quote reply" I can only believe that you are referring to all the shots posted in the thread. I have to disagree.

I think the majority of the shots posted are differently more than simple portraits. But then this thread is about portraits and boxes, isn't it? Anytime an artist seeks to go beyond whatever box they find themselves artistically (even if it is "in" the box according to others) they are growing and moving "out" of the box.

For every artist it is like matryoshka dolls in reverse. You grow out of the smallest one and then next one. If you ever stop having a doll (or box) to out grow, you have stopped being an artist.

eshlemania Loc: Northern Indiana, USA

Fotoartist wrote:

To have an out of the box portrait you have to work at it and have a concept, to wit, "Blue Boy".

Wonderful shot

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

First I'd like to thank all those that participated so far since this topic may be sputtering to a stop. THANKS
Next, one more image for food for thought. I NEVER post pics of children, but since this morphed mostly to about kids, I'll post one, so try to ignore the whited out faces!!! Sorry
This is pretty typical of how I shoot kids. I put them in trees, under bushes, I stack them and dog pile them. I try NOT to pretend they are little adults and shoot them like adults.
I try to do poses they have fun doing and want to do.
This is definitely not out of MY box but thought some of you might see some possibilities with my kids style.
Thanks to ALL!!!
SS

(Download)

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Sometimes I have ideas for "out of the box" images and use CGI techniques for visualisation.
Here are two examples;

#1 is inspired by "the doctor"
#2 Is inspired by may dad saying "I am now on the industrial scrap heap of life" after he retired.

#1 out of the box
#1 out of the box...

(Download)

#2 Still in the box.
#2 Still in the box....

(Download)

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

You bring up an important point about posting pics of kids online.

SharpShooter wrote:

First I'd like to thank all those that participate... (show quote)

one shot Loc: Pisgah Forest NC

Fotoartist wrote:

You bring up an important point about posting pics of kids online.

My granddaughter is no longer a kid, a good bit older than the pics I posted. That's why I decided to put them in and with no info.

bengbeng Loc: Houston, Texas

SharpShooter wrote:

Ben, I really liked the first shot but I think I l... (show quote)

Thank you so much sharpshooter, I've not posted many images on UHH but your post title really caught my attention as I think out of the box suits my aspirations. I hope this thread continues and I will gladly post more. And the red dress is definitely one of my favs. This is me and my family: Christmas pic portrait. "Have a spec-tacular Christmas"

bengbeng Loc: Houston, Texas

RichardTaylor wrote:

Sometimes I have ideas for "out of the box" images and use CGI techniques for visualisation.
Here are two examples;

#1 is inspired by "the doctor"
#2 Is inspired by may dad saying "I am now on the industrial scrap heap of life" after he retired.

Great images , both of these. Especially the inspiration behind no. 2

bengbeng Loc: Houston, Texas

I also like the use of simple props. This is one of my favorite portraits and really enjoyed this photoshoot.
Cut the top of her head off and I don't care.

one shot Loc: Pisgah Forest NC

Yep, right out of that box! Clever shots.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

bengbeng wrote:

I also like the use of simple props. This is one of my favorite portraits and really enjoyed this photoshoot.
Cut the top of her head off and I don't care.

Good one.