Portraits

Portraits are, in and of themselves, a unique art form. Prior to the mid-1800's, when the photographic portrait became practical, they had to be painted. Multiple, long sessions were required, with the subject sitting still, to capture their likeness. Although photography made the process easier and shorter, quality portraiture is still not easy to achieve. 

I have done some portrait sessions and don't feel that they resulted in my best work. As part of my art photography, I will do some portraiture of the models I hire. Recently, a couple of these really excited me.

In March, Erica Jay was the model for a portrait lighting session I did for some of the members of the St. Veronica's Guild, a photography group that meets at Metuchen's St. Luke's Church. Prior to that we did a private session that resulted in a portrait I submitted to a group project on Facebook. At the Metuchen Junebug ArtFest last night, a woman walked by and told me she was able to feel the emotion Erica put forth. I was a bit surprised and pleased that this image could bring out that kind of feeling.

This next one, of Inna, was made near the end of another private session. She had been traveling and worked with me before heading home. The clothing had been worn as part of my Black Dress series. I had her pose on this sofa and, as I usually do, used my one Westcott Ice Light, to illuminate her. When I processed this I was immediately drawn in, again to the feeling of the moment.

One final note, there is much software advertised that will "improve" portraits. I'm not a fan of retouching, and certainly not skin smoothing. I'm not saying these don't have a place, but I limit my retouching to temporary elements like scratches and other temporary blemishes. Anything permanent, stays!

I'll be back on the sidewalk for Junebug again on June 26 and will be wandering around photographing the events of the evenings on June 1 and 19.

More Abstractions

At one point I was doing a lot of imagery that abstracted the body. With the new lenses I've begun exploring that again. Last week I wound up doing three private studio sessions. Each provided some interesting possibilities in this area.

Hex Hypoxia

Theresa Manchester

Katya Zvantseva who was 33 weeks pregnant.

Over the next two weeks I have three more sessions scheduled, the last of 2014.

An amazing day

Yesterday was the most amazing day in my photography life.

Currently the PhotoPlus Expo is on at the Javitz Center in New York City. The Palm Springs Photo Festival runs a series of portfolio reviews. This year for the first time they had a day for beginning professionals. I had 5 reviews with a variety of people in the business with many good comments and suggestions. I'll be reviewing my notes and see which of those might make sense for me.

In the Zeiss booth at the 2014 PhotoPlus Expo the morning after the Maine Media Workshop/B&H Party. Photo courtesy of Zeiss.

In the Zeiss booth at the 2014 PhotoPlus Expo the morning after the Maine Media Workshop/B&H Party. Photo courtesy of Zeiss.

In the evening I attended the Maine Media Workshops/B&H party. As part of this they announced the winner of the MMW/Zeiss Precision Image Competition. I was honored with that award for 2014. I can not express how incredible this is and how it validated my work, as well as the entire field of art nude photography. I can't wait until tomorrow when I get to use them for the first time.

One week to go!

One week from today will be the craziest pre-PhotoPlus Expo day ever. I am participating in the Beginning Pro Portfolio Review event sponsored by the Palm Springs Photo Festival. After that is the Maine Media Workshops/B&H reception at which they will announce the winner of the Precision Imaging Competition sponsored by the Workshops and Zeiss. I am entered in the contest where the first prize is a scholarship to a class in Maine in 2015 and a set of five Zeiss lenses. Needless to say, I'll have much to say after it is all over :-)