This assignment was part of the Photography 2 module and focused on creating a conceptual character portrait using controlled lighting and intentional composition. The brief was to produce one close-up portrait and one zoomed-out portrait that either shared a common theme or explored contrasting ideas. I developed a character-driven concept centred on identity, vulnerability, and concealment, using light and shadow as the primary storytelling tools. For the close-up image, I used a narrow band of light across the eyes to isolate emotion and suggest the tension between what is revealed and what remains hidden. In the zoomed-out portrait, I introduced body language, minimal props, and a subdued lighting setup to build atmosphere and narrative context, shifting the focus from facial detail to mood and symbolism. Working with limited equipment in a home environment, I used a combination of constant light, off-camera flash, and simple modifiers to simulate studio conditions. Editing was kept restrained to preserve realism and emphasise lighting choices over post-production. The final images demonstrate how controlled light, composition, and small visual cues can communicate character, emotion, and narrative in portrait photography.
Zoomed-Out
