PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

MANSOUR AHAIDI

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY    There are four different forms of portrait

photography: constructionist, environmental, candid, and creative. If a photographer takes a constructionist approach, they are trying to use the portrait to communicate a clear idea about what is depicted, for example a happy family or a successful businessman. The image is constructed to communicate a concept and usually takes place studio. It is an approach that is commonly used in advertising and marketing.

 

The Environmental Approach tries to show the person in their environment, for example in a work, leisure, social or family situation. The environment is used as a tool to communicate information about the subject.

  The Candid Approach is when people are photographed without their knowledge, living their day to day lives. A key example of candid portrait photography is the photography taken by the paparazzi.

The Creative Approach often involves digital manipulation and post production work to produce photographs that have a surreal and artistic quality.

Different Genres

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ Annie Leibovitz is one of the most famous portrait photographers in the world. Annie’s work has appeared in well known magazines such as “ Rock Stone” and “ Vanity Fair”. She is best known for her portraits of celebrities which include John Lennon, Richard Nixon and numerous Hollywood actors.

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ WORK

Annie’s approach towards portrait photography can be described as both constructionist and creative. She often tries to communicate a clear idea in her pictures and uses post production techniques to introduce a sense of magic and wonder. A typical example of this style is in her Disney Dream series that feature celebrities in Disney fairy tale scenes to promote Disney Parks' "Year of a Million Dreams".

The special effects used in these images make them incredibly visually interesting but also give the photos a sense of magic which is appropriate for the fairytale theme. The images are very striking and create a sense of wonder and awe in the viewer. This mimics the effect that the Disney film on which it is based would have on a small child.

Queen Latifah as The Little Mermaid

THE WORK CAME FROM?

An example from this series is this picture of Queen Latifah as Ursula from the Little Mermaid. This photo is composed of two key elements: Queen Latifah dressed as Ursula and the landscape she has been superimposed on in post-production. The juxtaposition in this photo is created by the contrast between the static rocks and mountains and the vibrancy and movement implied by the image of Ursula which is mirrored in the violent choppiness and roughness of the sea. However in terms of scale, Ursula dominates this image due to the use of perspective. She is the first element that our eye is drawn to because of her imposing presence. Despite her elaborate post production Leibovitz’s focus is always on the human subject.

HOW DOES THE WORK AFFECT THE VIEWER

Her portraits are not only known for their artistic and conceptual style, but for their emotive quality and their ability to strike a chord with the viewer. Key examples include the images that she created of Demi Moore where she was pregnant and on the cover of Vanity Fair, John Lennon clinging to Yoko Ono for dear life and Miles Davis flopped on a bed, pants unzipped, trumpet by his side,one gleaming

eye staring out.

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ DISTINGUISHABLE

Annie Leibovitz pictures are distinguishable from other photographers because of the unique concepts behind her pictures and her deliberately constructionist approach. Her portraits are multi-layered. They are not only strikingly beautiful but also cleverly communicate ideas about the subject.

The cover of Rolling Stone featuring Bette Midler lying on a bed of roses is a particular example. The concept not only cannily refers to the film Midler was promoting at the time, The Rose, but also captures the feminine sexuality of a young woman on the cusp of a professional and creative breakthrough.

SPORT PHOTOGRAPHY

SPORT PHOTOGRAPHY

  The principal usage of professional sport

photographs are in editorial features.. The dedicated sport photographer works for different newspapers, major wire agencies and different magazines. Sports photography is also used to promote products and build brands through advertising campaigns and to promote different sports that might not usually get editorial coverage. 

BOB MARTIN •Bob Martin is a multi award winning sport photographer. He specializes in shooting action, graphic and editorial pictures for advertising, corporate and editorial client. Bob Martin has been a sport photographer for the last 30 years.  

• Bob Martin has photographed different major sporting events including the last thirteen summer and winter Olympics.

BOB MARTIN

 Bob Martin is very good at specializing in action shots. Bob Martin is particularly for his photography of athletic events. His work has been published in Sport Illustrated Magazines, the New York Times, The Sunday Times, Life Magazine and many other publications

TECHNIQUES Bob Martin uses high definition cameras and

motion capture when taking action shots, which make for visually exhilarating shots.

This sort of equipment enables him to capture details such as straining muscles and sweat, all of which enhance the realism of his photos and provide an insight for the viewer into the physical experience of being an athlete.

CONCLUSION Although operating in very different

genres and using different techniques, both Leibovitz’s and Martin’s are focused on the human subject. Due to the purpose and context of his photography, Martin’s work is far more realist whereas Leibovitz’s leans towards the artistic and creative. However, they both are attempting to communicate key ideas about their subjects to their viewers and convey the lived realities and experiences of the people they capture.