Final Statement

The Photographer II

 

It has come to my attention that photographers are rarely found on the opposite side of the camera; as the sitter for a project rather than for use as a document. As the media increases, we have developed a need for more information on those around us, including knowing the identity of someone.

With the initial idea from the series Behind Photographers by Tim Mantoani with other inspiration gained from the Sky1 Arts series Capture, I have aimed to capture the identity of amateur photographers, such as my peers. Photographs have been captured in sharp detail, particularly in the eyes; the key to seeing and the making of a photograph, while exploring who the photographer is within a single photograph. It can be noted that key influences have included the close up headshots of Thomas Ruff and Martin Schoeller. The start of the project began by looking at the use of using the photographers as the sitter with their camera as a literal nod towards their identity as a photographer, taking different approaches and understanding the limits of the Mamiya 67 Medium Format camera, to then overcome any obstacles such as the view finder on top. The idea expanded to the simple, single portrait of the photographer without any props, subsequently removing the distracting idea that the camera is the only thing that defines the photographer.

Only a fraction of the reality and personality can be achieved within a single image. With perseverance and experimentation of props and expressions expressed by the sitter, the ability to capture a raw portrait of a fellow photographer has been enabled. The dull, detached stare of the subject, in recognition of the camera, allows for the eyes to be a window to the soul; the start of seeing the true identity of the subject. A journey of the unknown has been undertaken for this final image. With limited possibilities of expressing the identity of a person, particularly in a direct portrait which defines the image in which they appear, revealing the character of the sitter becomes a challenge, working with the still image and no words. The portrait is one which forces the viewer to ‘read a book by its cover’, yet the ideas upon the identity become monotonous.

Mid Point Reflection

It’s now halfway through this topic and I can’t think straight. This project is forming quickly in ideas and technical skills. I still feel that my technical skills in the darkroom still need refining in terms of border which can vary depending on the easel and security of the frame (wonky/loose). The photographs themselves that I have currently produced are of a similar nature however there are some significant differences in the mood evoked as the camera as a ‘prop’ covers a different proportion of the amateur photographers face.
The choice of background is something that still needs to be adjusted and possibly changed during a shoot to create a complete variety of choices available which is finally decided as appropriate such as using a white background or using a location. In some aspect the images produced are not “clean”. There are no sharp colours or details which I am partial to, while not evoking a sense of understanding or affiliation with the sitter. With a distance to the portraits selected, there is the remaining sense that the photographer remains distant within the camera frame as they would shy away from the camera altogether. I feel that the photographs are good photographs but not great photographs yet I feel that the portrait print of grey background is successful in showing a photographer at work with a little extra emphasis in the studio.

Take a Picture IV
Own Photograph

Take a Picture V
Own Photograph

More experiments into composition needs to be made along with lighting technique and technical skills of manoeuvring the camera to the desired position, using it as a help rather than a hinderance to the final image and taking advantage of the size and movement capabilities as the view finder is located above the camera.

 

Project Proposal

Within this project, under the overall title of Portraiture, I aim to engage with the idea of photographing an “amateur” photographer, taking a photographer of the photographer. This aims to take the idea of seeing who the photographer really is, looking into who they are and what matters most in terms of underlying character of the photographer in the portrait. The work shall be photographed primarily in the studio with a focus upon consistency in no background distractions, lighting and would eventually create a series of portraits of the photographers taking a photograph.

In the initial stages the work of Kevin Bacon and Tim Mantaoni were the starting point for this concept of photographing the photographer with Kevin Bacon capturing portraits of fans photographing him at the same time he captures one of them, also known as a ‘shoot back’, even in the crude manner of using an iPhone, while Mantaoni has created a series using a Large Format Camera of famous photographers across America holding a print of their most iconic/favourite photographs. Further research into celebrity portraits will show an insight into character building in a photograph while also inspiring new ways of looking at creating the classic portrait while creating something bold and encapsulating.

Don Cheadle
by Martin Schoeller

Herman Leonard By Tim Mantaoni

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this production, I aim to focus upon a couple of studio shoots where I experiment with different sitters and backgrounds with experimentation on how the sitter is portrayed, and focusing on the printing of the results of these films for the first hand in. After the first hand in I aim to take into consideration the different aspects of the shoots created and seek to refine the better qualities using many different sitters as each sitter responds to the camera differently some creating a ‘better’ atmosphere. The printing of each roll will require additional time for correct colour while each will be analyzed for development in future shoots where some sitters may be repeated with new ideas in mind.

 

Initial Ideas

As a very first idea before starting this project I decided to write out a quick mindmap of different paths this project could lead into since the scope is very broad. It is visible from this that there are many different avenues however some may not be completely viable with the use of a medium format colour camera or may not fully explore the possiblilities that the colour film opens. Some ideas may be innappropriate and some may be ‘bland’ if not thought through completely while others may lack a sense of deep concept. More ideas will be thought of as this is only the very start of the process.

Initial Quick MIndmap under the direction of Portraiture