The other day I came across this post on Fstoppers about video portraits.
Found it very fascinating as I haven't come across this technique before.
Can you capture more about a person in a 'video portrait' than a typical still one? Personally I don't really think so. Although the subject seems to go through many emotions during the video these could also be captured within a few different images- and in my opinion they would be more powerful in that form.
It's a relatively uncomfortable video to watch I found. There's an awkwardness to watching someone for five minutes which I believe is intended by the creator. This makes it even more powerful.
What you you guys think of the 'video portrait' and how it compares to still images?
This is very interesting Georgia. I felt very uncomfortable viewing this – possibly because of her visual appearance and it all being very high key.
ReplyDeleteI think that the video portrait provides an insight into the person more than a still image does, you can see how they move, you view them blink and can see them visibly breathing. It makes the subject more ‘real’. The same way a video or timelapse of a landscape makes it more real and feasible in comparison to a still, as you view the clouds moving, the shadows on the ground, the trees moving with the wind. You view the person (or landscape) as a living organism, instead of a subject frozen in time.
Hi Georgia I agree - you do feel uncomfortable through out the 5 minute duration of this video portrait. I felt at times even the model/actor felt uncomfortable. And Kate yes I feel due to the high key nature of this video all I could look at were her white eye lashes. I credit the uniqueness of this project and this will always get people talking. However in answer to your question Georgia I feel that the still photograph has an authentic approach to portraits and being able to capture all those emotions in one photograph is a rewarding challenge.
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