Have a read of this article. It is asking the question "What makes a great portrait". The results couldn't be more different. In particular I like the following comment.
"My parents have not seen each other since their divorce more than five years ago. It’s been long enough that the changes rendered in the photographs are apparent and surprising to each. These images serve, in a sense, as their only contact. Despite their close proximity within the book, the photographs of my parents offer no solace or reconciliation. At best the portraits mark the growing gap between their former experience together and the nascent conditions of their respective lives. What occupies this space is opaque to my camera and too intimate for me to trespass".
I find this quite powerful, at the time when the photograph was captured this would not have been so obvious. In time, and reflecting back on the photographs it is such a strong message that he has captured. The portraits highlight the growing gap between his parents. And in a sense he has documented the growing separation without initially realising.
Wow, There are some really profound and different suggestions as to what makes a great portrait. I even love the opening comment "trying to really pinpoint what makes a great portrait is almost like trying to figure out why it feels good when someone smiles at you or why it is disturbing when someone yells at you." as well as "I think for a portrait to be great it needs to say more about that maker of the image than the subject."
Really amazing article Bec- fantastic find and a good read. Fascinating that no two answers are the same, and that although some acknowledged there are certain 'rules' to follow- they also said that photographs that break all of these can be fantastic too.
Have a read of this article. It is asking the question "What makes a great portrait". The results couldn't be more different. In particular I like the following comment.
ReplyDelete"My parents have not seen each other since their divorce more than five years ago. It’s been long enough that the changes rendered in the photographs are apparent and surprising to each. These images serve, in a sense, as their only contact. Despite their close proximity within the book, the photographs of my parents offer no solace or reconciliation. At best the portraits mark the growing gap between their former experience together and the nascent conditions of their respective lives. What occupies this space is opaque to my camera and too intimate for me to trespass".
I find this quite powerful, at the time when the photograph was captured this would not have been so obvious. In time, and reflecting back on the photographs it is such a strong message that he has captured. The portraits highlight the growing gap between his parents. And in a sense he has documented the growing separation without initially realising.
Wow, There are some really profound and different suggestions as to what makes a great portrait.
ReplyDeleteI even love the opening comment "trying to really pinpoint what makes a great portrait is almost like trying to figure out why it feels good when someone smiles at you or why it is disturbing when someone yells at you." as well as "I think for a portrait to be great it needs to say more about that maker of the image than the subject."
Really amazing article Bec- fantastic find and a good read. Fascinating that no two answers are the same, and that although some acknowledged there are certain 'rules' to follow- they also said that photographs that break all of these can be fantastic too.