Irving Penn's portraits have mainly the eyes as the focal point which is why I decided to research him for my own portrait for ‘The Body’ project. The poses the models are in add emphasis to the eyes as in some photos they completely cover one side of the face so all your attention is on the one eye. The lighting used also highlights the eyes as it makes it stand out, normally he only uses one light source which creates dark shadows on some area’s of the picture. A dramatic effect is given to the image with the lighting Penn uses and it adds contrast with the shadows and highlights. Penn’s use of a plain background focuses all your attention on to the subject as there is nothing to distract you. His close up composition also adds emphasis to the eyes as he has cropped the models head to draw attention to there eyes. As the photographer focuses on the eyes of the models you feel as if you can read there personality because of how eyes can reveal a lot about someone.
The subjects eye is the main focal point of this image. Penn has made it the main focal point with how he has chosen to light the photo, by using one light source means there is some harsh shadows. The lighting and shadows adds a dramatic feel to the image because the shadows and highlights contrast against each other. By photographing the model in a pose where he is covering one of his eyes automatically brings your attention to them as it makes you wonder why he is hiding one of them. The way the subject is also turned slightly to the right and is looking straight to the camera means all your attention is on the eye as it feels like the model is staring straight at you.
Irving Penn’s portraits inspired me for my project ‘The Body’. In my portraits I want to focus on the subjects eyes, the eyes in Penn’s portraits are the main focal point of his photographs. To get the same effect in my own images I’m going to use lighting to make the eyes stand out, I’m also going to use a plain background so all your attention is kept on the model.
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