Black & White Portrait

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Comment by Irina Ivanova on February 1, 2010 at 3:35pm

let me interpose in your talking
I'd like to say my opinion in this discussion

Yeah, people often like nearly all photos or all pictures (it doesn't matter). It's usually because of

- they are being nice. It's difficult to flay in public

- they considered yourselves not be compentent enough to judge. They usually think the jury is made of pros, they knew what they were doing hanging these photos or pictures. If they hang them it means photos\pictures are good. If i don't like or understanf it it means problem with me but not with ones.

- they are not experienced or thaught to differ good and bad ones. The big prolem is the praises. I'm not kidding. Somebody takes pictures. The first observers are usually his friends and relatives. What do they say. If they are not artist or photogragher they will praise his photos to show their good treatment of him\her. Problem is laid in wrong criterias of judging. Many think that they praise photos but in fact they praise the person behind or in this photos this photo because of status, title, follow to public opinion or idea. If they understand it they will understand then criticism of photo is not equal criticism of person. But they can't differ so they praise or criticize photographer instead of photo itself.

And many who has taste can't explain why this picture or photo is good. Mmm.. err... It's good...compostion .. colors... It looks like their imho and not looks like clenchs.

In fact -totally imho - it's useful for people to be in community in which people do not praise photos but investigate photos in compostions and colors and flay photos. Better if it happens each day.

thanks if you read until the end

Comment by Ian Phillips-McLaren on February 1, 2010 at 11:51am

Yes, good to meet someone else with good taste.

I'm not far behind you age wise, I'm 50 this year. That might have something to do with it : )

Comment by Don Kedgley on February 1, 2010 at 10:47am

Yes Ian you are probably right - amazing isn't it that we are the only ones with good taste!! I think in retrospect, its comes down to you rown personal 'world view' and the experiences that life has brought your way. For me 'sentimentality' is one of the grossest forms of expression yet probably one of the most prevalent emotions I see evident in so much photography. I think I personally respond to photographers who seem to unconditional love of people irrespective of their circumstances but after that I am looking for 'graphics' in an image. I think this is why the work of Jane Bown appeals to me. She does seem to be fascinated by 'what makes people tick' even if most of them are celebrities but also her images are interesting graphically who ever the subject is. Perhaps there is one thing I also need to admit - I'm 62 and lived! Ah, now that could have a significant bearing on things!!

Comment by Ian Phillips-McLaren on February 1, 2010 at 9:30am

Hi Don, No problem, believe me, I've been called worse. Not to mention that's usually the type of thing I do : ) Thank you for your very kind words.

I've come to the realisation, that a great portrait is one that you like.

I look at a lot of images especially portraits, I go to the exhibitions I buy the books and it always astounds me what other people like and what seems to win awards.

I was at the National portrait gallery with a good friend of mine (a photographer) just 3 days ago and I was quietly thinking most of this is a load of rubbish, in fact I think I liked only three portraits out of the whole exhibition (at a push) - I couldn't help but to think why are these people / portraits getting prime space in one of the best galleries in the world, it was beyond me.

I then went for coffee ( like you do ) and discussed the images with my friend who told me that he loved all of the exhibition. I thought he was joking, how can you love all of the exhibition surely there must have been a few portraits he never liked. I just thought then, that maybe he was just being nice but no - he was serious - I also over heard people saying how wonderful the portraits were but I just didn't see it that way at all.

Maybe there isn’t a thing that makes a great portrait – maybe what makes a great portrait is - the ones that you like.

Comment by Don Kedgley on January 31, 2010 at 11:23am

oops - sorry Ian - McLaren! Classic case of not proof reading before publishing

Comment by Don Kedgley on January 31, 2010 at 11:12am

This of course then made me aware of the clever use of hands by Ian Phillips-McLean with such images that front this group.

Comment by Don Kedgley on January 31, 2010 at 11:09am

One factor which I think often gets over looked by portrait photographers is the 'placement' of hands. One of the most interesting photographers I have found in this respect is Jane Bown. Her book 'Faces' is well worth a look in this respect. It was only after looking at it several times and then actaully 'flicking' the pages like 'simple animation' quickly that I realised her genius in this respect.

Comment by Don Kedgley on January 21, 2010 at 7:35am

I would be interested to know the views of other group members as to what makes a great portrait. I recently saw an exhibition of Eve Arnold portraits of Marilyn Monroe and quite frankly, with the exception of about one image, if it wasn't for the subject matter they probably did not deserve the attention they got.

Comment by Richard Pentin on April 13, 2009 at 11:43am

I think b & w photography has a certain timeless quality to it. I think it can also add a certain mystique to the shot. And it also tends to be more flattering for skin tones!