Colour Portraits
Cindy Sherman
Cindy Sherman created a range of self portrait photographs- where she created a character for each shot. These photographs are examples of how colour is so crucial to a good portrait; for example without the bright clothing and eccentric makeup worn the photographs wouldn't be so striking.
The composition of these photographs are fairly simple, they are intentionally made to look like studio shots and are clearly not candid moments. The idea of each image is to capture a different character, therefore the composition of the shots are simple to compliment each ones 'personality.' For instance, in the last photograph Cindy is positioned in a hunched over, masculine way where as the shot before that is far more shy and innocent. The body language that
Annie Leibovitz
Leibovitz started her career as photographer for the Rolling Stone magazine, soon being named as chief photographer. Her intimate portraits of celebrities helped to define the Rolling Stone look.
In this photograph, the colour is crucial to the tone and mood. The juxtaposition of the colour red (which can be shown as elegant and sexual) against the nude brown and pale skin tone makes the photograph very attractive to the eye. Her pale skin, which is lit from the left hand side, contrasts beautifully with the red material she is holding.
This use of colour, along with the position of her arms and the way her body is turning away shyly from the camera, gives the photograph an innocent and venerable mood.
In this photograph, the colour is crucial to the tone and mood. The juxtaposition of the colour red (which can be shown as elegant and sexual) against the nude brown and pale skin tone makes the photograph very attractive to the eye. Her pale skin, which is lit from the left hand side, contrasts beautifully with the red material she is holding.
This use of colour, along with the position of her arms and the way her body is turning away shyly from the camera, gives the photograph an innocent and venerable mood.
Again, the colours in the photograph help to create a certain mood or atmosphere. The model is wearing a white shirt and has her face painted white; which could be Leibovitz showing her as innocent, inhuman, or creating an aerie mood.
The lighting used appears to be from above; the reason for this is the small shadow underneath the models nostrils that show there is light coming from almost directly in front of her. This 'butterfly' lighting is a technique used by studio photographers often on women; as it gives the face flattering shadows and makes it appear far more angular and chiseled.
The way the model has been instructed to pull her face gives an interesting composition, the way the face is almost contorted makes the model appear very abstract and somewhat creature-like.
The lighting used appears to be from above; the reason for this is the small shadow underneath the models nostrils that show there is light coming from almost directly in front of her. This 'butterfly' lighting is a technique used by studio photographers often on women; as it gives the face flattering shadows and makes it appear far more angular and chiseled.
The way the model has been instructed to pull her face gives an interesting composition, the way the face is almost contorted makes the model appear very abstract and somewhat creature-like.