Body - a little bit of reading.

I decided to look into Portraiture by reading a book from the library called Portraiture, by Shearer West. It explores the history of portraiture to the present and how the meanings of the paintings and photos can be read by the audience. From reading this book, i have found that a portrait can be focused on the physical features of the person and can also represent the subjects social or artistic conventions. The photographer can use social class and looks to help portray the subject. This can help create character within the photo. All portraits represent something about the body and face, it also has a way of portraying ones soul and character though the image. 

 I ended up thinking that i should go straight to the beginning of the project and decide what i like about portraits, so i flicked through the book to find a photo i absolutely adore. I thought to develop and encourage my ideas for my Body shoot; it will help myself to understand what aspects of the image i like.

Jane Bown

52 Jane Bown, Samuel Beckett, 1976

This photo of the famous Samuel Beckett, known for his poetry is beautiful. It being black and white is one reason why i like this photograph. What attracted me to it in the first place was the sheer detail of Becketts lines in his skin, his wrinkles are like a map of his life. The fact that the background is black causes himself to be the only focus of attention. There is a slight representation of a brick wall on his left which suggests it was 'a spur of the momment' type photograph, there was no studio set up to have it taken. This alone creates such a better image as Beckett had no time to beautify himself.

Jane Bown is known for her selection of photos of different celebrities, she claimed that her goal was to produce a truthful image rather than one changed by the potential of the camera. This photo wasn't based on a planned sitting but was created after Bown requested a sitting at the stage door of the Royal Court Theatre in London. It is unknown wether that is true, however it does seem to come across in her photos.

I decided to have a look at Jane Bown as an artist to see wether her other images are much similar to this one of Beckett. Below are a few of my faviroutes :

Woody Allen 1994 

Bjork 1995

David Bailey 2005

I'm kind of disappointed because some of the images i really liked I found on her website, the web didn't recognise the names so i may have to get another book out. However the images above i really like, the first Woody Allen i absolutely adore. What i like about it is the depth of field and the focus. I think the shadows and darkness of background go really well and capture his personality. The fact that he's wearing his glasses also creates character and helps us recognise him for who he is. The way the light falls on his face is lovely, i really like the simplicity of this photo. There is a sense of loneliness/longing i get from looking at this photo, i want to know what he is thinking and who he's looking at. Maybe no one or nothing, but the photo seems to portray otherwise.

The second photo being Bjork wasn't my first choice of jane Bown's photo's. I decided to pick it because it really shows the difference of mood compared to the photo of Woody. Bjork's photo seems to have a more enjoyable aspect to it, she's covering her mouth as if she's hiding however her eyes show a smile which lightens the mood completely. A beautiful photo of her, even though half her face is missing. Jane Bowns selection of photographs all seem to be black and white, i must say i think the colour would distract the mood from her photos so i'm glad they are in black and white.

The last photo i picked is of David Bailey, i chose this because of how his character shines through. The photo is quite light, and the detail caught off Bailey's face is really strong. He doesn't look particularly happy either which gives it that unpredictability look. He looks old, he looks sad but it all makes it a more interesting photo. It makes me want to talk to him, hear the stories he has to tell if any, which all add's to making it a strong photo.

My idea's on portraiture

Firstly looking at Jane Bown's photo's has definitely got me thinking about my final shoot in December. Im glad it has to be in black and white as i think colour will distract the eye from the detail in the photo. At this present time, i want to be able to choose someone who is of an age with lines in their skin especially their face, if only i could pick someone on the day so that they are completely unprepared for the shoot would be brilliant. I would capture them, as they are as a person, not as they want to be seen. I know i cant do this because of it's unpredictability, so i'm on the look out for the perfect person. The lines in a face will act as a story of ones life, like a map that their memories have marked. I really can't wait to do my shoot, for the minute i should look into a couple more photographers to help give me lighting and quality idea's.