Richard Avedon is a photographer that I have recently become
really interested in as I am writing about him in my dissertation. His portrait
work really inspires me and as I want to create portraits for my project I thought
that he would be a great research source.
What I like most about these portraits in particular is the
emotion that they hold. I feel like the subjects have really connected with
Avedon. This is the main reason for choosing these images, as I really want to
be able to capture this emotion in my own work.
This is such an iconic image of Marilyn Monroe. Its often
said that this image in fact shows you an insight not to the icon that everyone
knows, but rather to Norma Jean the woman behind the facade. The grey background really helps create a glow to her pale skin;
she really breaks of the background. The perfect styling of the model is such a
contrast to the emotion and expression that she is giving off, I think that
this is what makes it so beautiful, she’s dressed like Marilyn and is perfectly
presented, however she doesn’t seem the outgoing character that is Marilyn.
What interest me about these images are the quirky little
differences. First and most noticeably, George is facing in a different
direction to the rest of his band mates, why? What’s the reason? Surly the norm
would be to put them all facing the same. However I think this really works and
breaks the static posed nature up. Its ever so simple but still makes a
difference. Also the lighting varies, you would expect Avedon to use all the
same. However the fact that they are all styled the same and the consistency
of the backdrop makes the 4 images work together
A point to note, all these images have the same colour background,
and all the subjects are wearing black. Is this the style that Avedon was using
at the time? Or was it to keep the image simple so the emotion expressed by the
subject is the main focus? Or is it setting the mood?
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