I decided to look into photographers that mostly focus on the subjects eye's in there portraits for inspiration. I looked at many different types of portraits to see how each photographer makes the eye's stand out. From my research I noticed how many of them compose there portraits so the eyes are centered in the image which draws your attention to them this is a technique I’m going to use in my own portraits. Portrait photographers also get there model to stare straight into the camera which adds an intimate feel, I’m going to have my model look into the camera to capture the same effect.
Jeanloup Sieff
Sieff’s work has a very intimate feel, his portraits capture the personality of the subjects he photographs. I decided to research into Jeanloup Sieff because of how he uses the subjects eyes as the main focal of his portraits which is what I want the main focal point to be in my images. The way the models look into the camera make you feel connected to them as you feel they are looking at you. Sieff uses a close up camera angle with her portraits which gives the portraits and intimate feel as it feels like you’re becoming a part of there personal space. These portrait images have been taken at eye level which makes you feel connected to the subjects as you are at eye level with them. By photographing people in a very simplistic way such as having no props and only photographing the head and shoulders gives the images a natural and honest feel as you feel as if you’re seeing the real them. The lighting has a softness to it because of how it illuminates the skin however there is a harsh contrast between the shadowed areas and the highlights which give a dramatic effect to the photo’s. Jeanloup Sieff’s portraits have inspired me to use a close up camera angle for my own portraits to help capture an intimate feel. I also like the way he has composed his images so the subjects eye is centered almost in the middle of the frame, I’m going to use this technique to make the eyes the main focal point like Sieff has.
Sieff’s work has a very intimate feel, his portraits capture the personality of the subjects he photographs. I decided to research into Jeanloup Sieff because of how he uses the subjects eyes as the main focal of his portraits which is what I want the main focal point to be in my images. The way the models look into the camera make you feel connected to them as you feel they are looking at you. Sieff uses a close up camera angle with her portraits which gives the portraits and intimate feel as it feels like you’re becoming a part of there personal space. These portrait images have been taken at eye level which makes you feel connected to the subjects as you are at eye level with them. By photographing people in a very simplistic way such as having no props and only photographing the head and shoulders gives the images a natural and honest feel as you feel as if you’re seeing the real them. The lighting has a softness to it because of how it illuminates the skin however there is a harsh contrast between the shadowed areas and the highlights which give a dramatic effect to the photo’s. Jeanloup Sieff’s portraits have inspired me to use a close up camera angle for my own portraits to help capture an intimate feel. I also like the way he has composed his images so the subjects eye is centered almost in the middle of the frame, I’m going to use this technique to make the eyes the main focal point like Sieff has.
Hendrick Kerstens
Kersten’s styles her images like traditional Dutch portraits. When speaking about her images she said, "I take someone today with modern tastes and portray her in the style of the 17th century masters. It's a way for me to shake up the concept of time". The concept of time is represented in her work by the way she styles them like Dutch portraits and then uses modern themes such as environmental issues. In the first image below she was inspired by the excessive number of bags being used when she went to New York, to capture this social issue she has dressed her model in a plastic bag which acts as a head piece. The eye’s in her portraits are one of the main focal points as she photographs her images at eye level. By photographing the portraits at eye level makes you feel more connected to the subject as it adds an intimate feel to the images, this technique inspired me for my own work as I want to make the eyes the main focal point in my portraits for ‘The Body’ project. I was also inspired by the simplicity of her images, having the model against a plain background adds to the intimacy feel of the photo as well as all your attention is kept on the subject. Kersten has only photographed the subjects head and shoulders this makes you feel more closer to the model and creates a very intimate feel. The way the model looks right into the camera draws your attention straight to her eyes this is another technique I’m going to use in my own images as it makes the eyes stand out. The lighting on the models face is very soft, by having no harsh shadows on the subjects face gives the photo a very delicate feel as there is a softness to it. Contrast is created in the image from the white bag on the models head and the dark coloured background and clothing, this gives the image a dramatic feel which makes it stand out.
Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn’s work most focuses on the subjects eyes. His work is very powerful because of how the models are staring straight into the camera. I looked at this photograph by Anton Corbijn because of how the eyes are the main focal point. This portrait is high in contrast which gives it a very dramatic feel and makes it catch your attention. The contrast between the whites of the eye, the subjects skin and the iris‘ in the eye makes the eyes stand out. The subjects pose adds an mysterious atmosphere to the photograph because of how he‘s covering his mouth, it also adda vulnerable side to the image as the subject looks scared. By having the model looking straight into camera gives the photo a intimate feel as it feels like he’s looking straight at you. This image has the same focal point that I want my portraits to have for ‘The Body’ project. To capture the same effect I’m going to use Corbijn’s technique of having the subject looking straight at the camera.
Anton Corbijn’s work most focuses on the subjects eyes. His work is very powerful because of how the models are staring straight into the camera. I looked at this photograph by Anton Corbijn because of how the eyes are the main focal point. This portrait is high in contrast which gives it a very dramatic feel and makes it catch your attention. The contrast between the whites of the eye, the subjects skin and the iris‘ in the eye makes the eyes stand out. The subjects pose adds an mysterious atmosphere to the photograph because of how he‘s covering his mouth, it also adda vulnerable side to the image as the subject looks scared. By having the model looking straight into camera gives the photo a intimate feel as it feels like he’s looking straight at you. This image has the same focal point that I want my portraits to have for ‘The Body’ project. To capture the same effect I’m going to use Corbijn’s technique of having the subject looking straight at the camera.
Henrick Adamsen
These two images by Henrick Adamsen have a very intimate feel to them because of the close up camera angle he has used. By using an extreme close up Adamsen has made you feel as if you are in the models personal space which makes the subjects appear very vulnerable as they are being revealed in a very honest way. A delicate feel is created through the poses the models are in both of the photos show the subjects with there hands against there faces, this makes them look as if they are trying to shield themselves. Adamsen has photographed the models staring straight into the camera which adds to the intimate feel the images have because you feel a connection with the models as it seems that they are looking straight at you. The lighting used in both of the portraits add to the delicacy, as it is very soft and there is no harsh shadows on the models faces. Vulnerability is also shown through the lighting Adamsen has used because of how shadows start to form around the models faces this makes the model appear alone in the image. I choose to research into Henrick Adamsen’s portraits because of the way he makes the subjects eyes the main focal point which is what I want the focal point to be in my own portraits for ‘The Body’ project. His work has inspired me to use close up camera angles to capture the intimate feel I want my images to have.
Erik Lee Snyder
When you first look at this photograph the part the stands out the most is the eyes. The photographer, Erik Lee Snyder, has made them stand out with the composition he has chosen. By positioning the subjects eyes so they are in the middle of the frame makes you notice them more and makes them the focal point of the image. The way the model is staring directly into the camera adds an intimacy to the image as you feel they are looking at you. Intimacy is also created in the photo through the close up camera angle Snyder has used, this makes you feel connected to the model on a personal level as you are so close to them. Snyder has used a shallow depth of field as the main area that is in focus is the front of the face, it begins to lose focus around the ears and neck. The large aperture used means all your attention is focused on the models face. Snyder has created a very simplistic atmosphere in his image by using a plain background and by only photographing the models face. There is no harsh shadows in this image which adds a softness to it, the lighting looks very diffused because of the low contrast. I want to capture a similar lighting style in my own portrait as I feel the softness adds a delicacy to the image. I also was inspired by Snyder’s camera angle and camera positioning. By taking a portrait at eye level makes you feel more intimate with the subject, I’m going to use this technique as well as a close up camera angle to add even more intimacy.
Man Ray
This image is very iconic because of how the eyes are expressing a lot of emotion in this portrait. The eye’s in this portrait are showing a lot of emotion which adds an intimate feel to the photo as you feel as if you are connected with the model. Ray has used a close up composition which adds to the intimate feel as it makes you feel closer to the subject, I’m going to use a close up camera angle in my own portraits to capture the same effect Man Ray has. By using a close up camera angle Ray has kept the rest of the image to your imagination, you start to wonder where the model is looking and why is looks upset. The model appears very vulnerable with how she is looking out into the distance as if she cant bear to look into the camera. Gem’s have been positioned on a models face to act as tears, this makes her look very delicate and vulnerable.
Steve McCurry
Steve McCurry’s portrait ‘Afghan girl’ is a very popular and well know image. The photo was taken in a Refugee camp in Pakistan whilst the girl was at school. The subject’s eyes are the main focal point in the image, they look very haunting with the way they are staring into the camera. Her eyes symbolise the tragedy of the war that was happening in Afghan because of how scared and haunted they look. McCurry has compositioned this image so the eyes are centered in the middle of the photo this draws your attention to them and is a technique I’m going to use in my own portraits to make the eyes the main focal point. A shallow depth of field has been used to make the background out of focus so all your attention is kept on the model. By photographing the models shoulders as well as her face means some of her clothing is revealed. Her clothes have rips in them and look dirty in some places which shows she has been living in a tough time and is being neglected. The lighting used looks very natural and soft because there is no harsh shadows which makes the subject appear very vulnerable and delicate. To get the same effect I’m going to use similar lighting but make it even more softer.
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