Furthermore, these portraits act as reminders, memories encased as images of the people we've lost. They are about preserving life. I am always taken aback when I see a portrait from someone in the 19th century. They are so humbling, and often comedic. Portraits are the most difficult exercise in photography, but the most worthy.“The close-up, the correctly illuminated, directed and acted close-up of an actor is and remains the height of cinematography. There is nothing better. That incredibly strange and mysterious contact you can suddenly experience with another soul through an actor’s gaze. A sudden thought, blood that drains away or blood that pumps into the face, the trembling nostrils, the suddenly shiny complexion or mute silence, that is to me some of the most incredible and fascinating moments you will ever experience.”
(that is me ~55 years ago, in the front wearing the brown coat, beside my younger brother, and in front of Dad and Mom)
Matt! Here I am, 64 years ago, and already shooting a Brownie!
I wish I could photograph people whose characters interest me; but I'm not good with people, totally unable to put sitters at ease.
Thank you for that surprising complement! (Edit: compliment - darn’ spellchecker!) But honestly it is true that I can’t handle people. I so envy those of you who can maintain a cheerful or interested banter in any circumstances, but especially when also fiddling with a camera. I grimace when concentrating, and if I try to smile all I can produce is a ghastly frozen grin.Not true, I can see that you've taken many excellent pictures of people.
I'm not great with people, so I stick to portraits of the ones I'm close with. But that can be enough.
I like people and also like the challenge of capturing some of their essence and personality. My biggest step forward in technique was to learn not to rely on strobes, but instead to read available light, even if that is provided by a single light bulb and use it to my advantage.
Wednesday by E.J. Bragg, on Flickr
I recently picked up Susan Sonntag's book on photography and am intrigued by the whole "taking" vs. "making" a photo.
When taking/making someone's portrait, are you excercising power over your portraitee?
Great work.
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