Hogwarts Portraits: a logistical question

[caliburncy at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 23617

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., rainy_lilac at y... wrote:
> 
> I just have to ask this because a friend of mine just did a really 
> lovely portrait of me and I just had it framed!
> 
> If I were a witch in the HP Universe, and another witch or wizard 
did 
> an enchanted portrait of me, my portrait would have a life of its 
own 
> right? I mean it would be able to sit there in the frame if it chose 
> to and TALK to people who were visiting me, and would even be able 
to 
> converse with me.
> 
> And while I am sitting here at my computer typing this, or pulling 
> another late nighter on a project, my portrait would be able to go 
> out dancing with Sir Cadogan or visit friends at the MOMA. Right??
> 
> Uhmmmm... isn't this just a little weird? What do you guys think?
> 
> 
> --Suzanne

Indeed, it is a little weird.  But nevertheless, that does seem to be 
how it would work.  Unless they don't take on these extra capabilities 
until after you die, but I really don't think that's as likely and 
there's certainly no evidence of it in canon that I'm aware of.

Now here's a random, perhaps interesting thought.  We know the 
subjects of portraits can leave, as can the subjects of the Famous 
Witches and Wizard Cards (per Dumbledore in PS/SS).  I might assume 
this means the subjects of photographs can too.  But now that I think 
about it, have we ever seen them do anything of the sort?  Of course, 
they move (smiling, waving), but they don't exhibit the other 
qualities like disappearing altogether and going somewhere else or 
being able to talk.  Certainly if Harry could talk to the photos of 
his parents than he would.  Clearly the photo subjects are more 
restricted in their abilities.  I wonder why.  Obviously the 
technique/magic/technology (whatever you want to call it in each case) 
involved in painting portraits and taking photos is a bit different so 
maybe that's all there is too it.  But then Dumbledore's wizard card I 
thought had a photo of him, not a painting.  We see him disappear 
though we don't know where he goes (perhaps, unlike the subjects of 
portraits he can leave without going anywhere), but we don't hear him 
talk and I assume he can't.  I have no idea where I am going with 
this, I just wonder what everyones interpretation of this is.  I 
suppose it's a case of apples and oranges.

-Luke