What is to be included in a high school portfolio?

What can be included in certain types of photography?

• Hi, I'm putting together a portfolio for admission to a school, and I wanted to get clarification on a few things. Can people be included in a shot, and still be called scenic photography? Can a scenic photograph be indoors, suppose I took a photo of an archway or hallway would it count as a scenic photo? Can animals be used in a photograph and still be called a portrait? Can something like playground equipment be called still life? Do portraits have to be up close? Can they include multiple shots of the same person? Does it have to show their face? What are the best images to include in a portfolio for in my case?

• Answer:

  Each of these areas have a long tradition as well as implications. A portrait is meant to portray something. Usually a person's personality. Someone did a series of "house portraits" where he used the windows and door of a house to make a portrait of it as if it were a face. It all depends on what the picture is clearly depicting. if it is about the land, then a horse in the land is OK. Only a modernist would purposely challenge these genres with a big grin. On a second note, I worry that if you are thinking about what box you can fit your photos into, your photos will be nothing more than something in the box. You should include photos that show your skill. I hear editors like you to focus on the subject matter of which you are applying to do for them. And make sure you include only pictures you can live up to. I've heard of people who show a great wedding portfolio and then botch the job because the only showed pictures from 2 outdoor weddings. When they go inside they have trouble.