The Second Coming

Queanbeyan

*Model release aquired for this photo

Garema Place

Heroes

One doesn't have to perform some daring act of bravery to be a hero.

Skin holes

Vanity Fair Exhibition

"Kate Winslet"
Annie Leibovitz 1998



















"Elsa Jack Von Reppert Bismarck"
Rolf Mahrenholz 1931


How does the subjects body language, facial expression, gaze etc. influence the way we "read" their personality?

Kate Winslet
The rationale on this photo stated that the shot was taken basically as an homage to Kates role in the 1997 movie Titanic, so immediately we know that this is more a portrait of Rose Dewitt Bukater (Winslet's character in Titanic) than of Kate herself. Her rather calm facial expression seems almost out of place for someone who appears trapped in a tank of water, however her body language seems to shout "help help!!" I think this a very interesting contrast, quite appropriate given the nature of her characters situation in the movie, calm on the outside, distressed on the inside.

Elsa Jack Von Reppert Bismarck
A typical shot in which the aim was simple, to show this person is a painter. Being posed right in front of her canvas with paintbrush in hand, and with a big smile on her face shows her enthusiasm for her hobby/profession. Elsa is directly addressing the camera and therefore the viewer as if to say "look at me and my painting" Her facial expression is probably the most important aspect of this picture, had she had an upset or angry look, we would get the impression she was being forced into having this shot taken or perhaps that painting was a pet hate.

Compare the photographic strategies in for portraiture in the two eras of VF

The main difference I have noticed in the strategies of the the two eras lies in the setting of the portraits.The portrait of Elsa shows her with her painting to make a clear link to her interests, however the setting seems to be that of a photographic studio (an artists studio would be more cluttered, paintings on the wall, etc) but the photographer has tried to hide this fact with a very tight crop around the subject and her painting. One quite noticable problem with the portrait of Elsa is the lighting, while it illuminates Elsa so we can see her, the light coming from behind casts a strong shadow on the canvas, meaning if Elsa were to try to paint, she would have difficulty doing so as the shadow from her head would get in the way.
The portrait of Kate/Rose makes no attempt to hide the fact that this photo is a setup, the surrounding area kept well within frame, the lighting clearly visible in the tanks upper left corner, the elbow of a person, most likely an assistant, visible on the left of frame (Interestingly enough, a Google search for this image shows alot of results where the image has been cropped to show only Kate in the water, the tank and its surroundings cropped out.)


How does the photographer contribute to the construction of identity?

The decisions the photographer makes at the time in regard to choosing the setting, lighting, instructions to the model in regards to pose and expression, viewpoint and the choice of which shot taken to display all play critical roles in the construction of the identity of the subject. Neither of the featured photos portray the subjects in their own comfort zones (Kate is submerged in tank of water and Elsa is more than likely in a photographers studio)



Is portraiture of "celebrities" truthful in any way, or is it just portraying the "character" or "mask" they inhabit?

The portrait of Kate Winslet featured here is a classic example of the lack of "truth" evident in most celebrity portraiture, being far more a portrait of a character than the actress herself (this being more evident if the viewer has not read the rationale)
There seems to be an expectation in Western society for its celebrities to always be a cut above everyone else, and that certainly carries through to any portraiture, as celebrities have a certain image to maintain. Truthfulness is lacking in almost all celebrity portraiture, but then again, what portrait is ever 100% truthful?

Breaking Benjamin - Until The End

So clever, whatever, I'm done with these endeavors
Alone I'll walk the winding way (here I stay)
It's over, no longer, I feel it growing stronger
I live to die another day, until I fade away

Why give up? Why give in?
It's not enough, it never is
So I will go on until the end
We've become, desolate
It's not enough, it never is
But I will go on until the end

Surround me, it's easy, to fall apart completely
I feel you creeping up again (In my Head)
It's over, no longer, I feel it growing colder
I knew this day would come to end, so let this life begin

Why give up? Why give in?
It's not enough, it never is
So I will go on until the end
We've become, desolate
It's not enough, it never is
But I will go on until the end

I've lost my way
I've lost my way
But I will go on until the end

Living is, hard enough, without you fucking UP.........

Why give up? Why give in?
It's not enough, it never is
So I will go on until the end
We've become, desolate
It's not enough, it never is
But I will go on until the end

I've lost the way
I've lost the way
But I will go on until the end

The final fight I win
The final fight I win
The final fight I win

But I will go on until the end