That being said, I would like to take minute (or 20) to explain my feelings on portraiture. I really dislike basic studio head shots. A lot. But not when there are nice mustaches. If they were like... disgraceful mustaches Powdrill's pictures would not interest me, but these are great mustaches (again, see below).
On a serious note, I really do not like studio head shots (but I do appreciate). MAKE YOUR PHOTOS INTERESTING. Do something to alter the basic/classic head shot to make it your own. Sure, they are a good thing to practice. But do something to the idea of a head shot to give it your own twist - to bring some emotion, thought, mental strain, deformity, meticulous planning, etc to them.
Anyone can buy a nice digital camera these days and take nice head shot on automatic. you will not be there to say to a viewer: "I PROMISE THAT I DID NOT USE AUTO MODE!!! It was done on manual setting," and frankly you should not be given that opportunity. Give the portrait a twist. Or any project that seems average for that matter (ie. Ben beginning to experiment with light). This fear project should be a great starting point to discover one's potential to adding a little of yourself or your though process into your images.Do you guys agree with this, or do you thing head shots are where it's at? (these ones are righteous. are they not?)
2 comments:
Despite your fascination with 'staches I would consider these far from righteous. I definitely agree with the need to add something different to the cliche studio head shot. As I am not currently dealing with this issue, I think it still pertains, because I have to remember that just because I'm in a prison, it doesn't mean that my photos will automatically be good. In fact, I consider them far from that term. Only until this last time I shot, I got a hold of the correct horizon line. Most of my shots are off kilter just a bit and this is something I should be able to see within the frame at this time, but it is really difficult for me. I guess I am trying to say that documentary/deadpan photos are good for expressing certain things. But it does no harm to experiment with new ways of shooting.
Until recently I have never used a fish eye lens, and I have been enjoying experimenting with it. There are numerous lenses/tools photographers can use as a medium to add a "twist," to a typical photograph.
I find it hard to have a long enough tolerance toward head shots to appreciate more than a few. I think Jill Greenberg does a good job at doing something slightly different, in that her style has become distinct and different from typical head shots. She does this through a very specific lighting situation.
In conclusion, I don't think head shots, such as these are "where it's at."
i don't like these either - just trying to find a drastic example of throwing a twist on classic headshots
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