The Inclination of portraits

The Inclination of portraits

Portrait photography has been playing an important role in learning about the history of photography. Portrait photography is seen as photographic evidence to document history. Before portrait photography had come along, there was a list of ways for individuals to get their portrait done. During the early development of portraits, they were used by individuals who were climbing the ladder of the social class to signify their social to the rest of the world. The first of many were miniature portrait painting. Miniature portraits were popularized by the nobility and bourgeoisies since the portraits required flawlessness. Portrayal of individuals in miniature portraits had to resemble ideal individuals similar to someone belonging to a wealthy family. The cut portrait which is called a silhouette was more of a minimalistic cut out unlike the detailed miniature portrait. The silhouettes were minimalistic because they were little detailed and contained the shadow of the individual. They were made from shiny black paper which helped the portraitist finish the portrait in no time. As time went on, Silhouette portraits were being improved which saw portraits with added minor details by engraving to appeal to the public. Gilles-Louis Chretien came out with an invention which was psyionotrace. Physionotrace was able to the merge portraiture, silhouettes and engraving into achieving a portrait that was moderately priced. The physionotrace was the expansion of the silhouette but engraving gave the detailed aspect of the miniature. As always, the elite class were the ones to have their portraits done to reinforce their social class to the rest of the world. The technology developed for that period of time helped achieved the finished portraits but also the advancement of portrait making showed that there were individuals coming up with innovative ideas.

Portrait photography in the early days was a complicated process to achieve the finished product. There were numerous methods to get portraits unlike the portraits of today. Seemingly, the early stages of photography saw the upper classes going in for portraits as they were the one who could afford it. It could also symbolize that there was a meaning to why individuals of the upper class would get a portrait, to reinforce that they are of that social class. Daguerreotype portraits were achieved with the use of camera obscura with alterations done with the use of long exposures. Wet collodion portraits were achieved with the mixture of different chemicals and use of the chemical reactions. Carte de viste was a method of portrait photography which smaller sized portraits. All of the following types of photography had a significant impact on technology back then as compared to how we use photography now. Today's photography has gone all out digital but there is a sector that prefers film photography. The earlier methods of photography made a impact on photography as it is still can be achieve throughout the process of developing. Photography is much more accessible now than before and it has affected portrait photography. Back in the early stages of portrait photography, it was exclusive to an dominate social class. As technology advanced, photographers saw that there was a demand for the working class to also take portraits and this played a benefit for carte de viste which consisted of smaller portraits. In today's society, having a portrait doesn't show that you belong to a certain but you have memories of your family. That can be said the same for portraits of the early days as we look at as historical evidence as how portraits have came to be what they are now.

References:

History of Photography-Lemagny Rouille

Precursors of Photoportrait - Gisele Freund

Reproductivity

Reproductivity

I believe that everyone is subjected to their interpretation on the reproduction of art. There is a choice when you are reproducing art for imitation or for the complete overhaul of that specific artwork when there is significant change is done to the original. When reproducing art for duplicating, it allows art to be accessible for a greater audience which helps the artist be able to reach out to that audience. But also with mechanically reproducing art, we are able to put in our interpretation to the artwork to achieve something new by expanding on that artwork. Mechanically reproducibility has allowed art to be transformed into anything that imagination has in store. Society acknowledges there are works of art that can't be imitated but allowing the work to be mechanically reproduced allows it to reach to a greater audience and also, we are able to change the work to give it a whole new meaning.

Art is full of limitless possibilities and we are able to do anything to capture what we want to express whether it is through painting or by photography. Individuals are able to use any sort of mediums to express themselves and also able to use another medium in conjunction with another medium to create their work of art. I believe photography is art and it could be contributed to art and according to "Art Photography" written by Beaumont Newhall states that, "If photographers found inspiration in paintings, painters found useful ally in photography". Painters used photography as way to compose their paintings based on the photographic image. Same thing can go for photographers finding inspiration in painting since photographs can be based on that inspiration. We can't let photography be so inclusive from all of the mediums of art.

I am quite surprised how far photography has come since Henry Pitch Robinson's "Fading Away". He conveyed a message about how death can come so near and be able to take someone's life away. In this case of this photograph, it is believed to be a young a girl suffering from tuberculosis. At the time of "Fading Away", many critics found that he was exploiting the issue to provoke attention for his work and I believe whatever individuals look at; it provokes them to asking the purpose of the work which is open to interpretation. I have to say that I was blown away when learned about the process he took to get to the finished product. Robinson merged five negatives to portray the young girl dying of tuberculosis. He definitely constructed this photograph mechanically with the help of composition. He was able to significantly defy the (at that time) and be able to innovative and be able to come out with a image that provoked critics of why he decide to do this and how he accomplished to achieve the final results. It is absolutely remarkable that in 1858, he used juxtaposing to convey his ultimate message.

It is easy to say that digitalization is the new expansion of the mechanical revolution. Digitalization is changing art and photography landscape by establishing new ways for individuals to access art. Anyone is capable of coming up with their own works of art without the use of any materials but with technology. Anyone is able to take an image off the internet and be able to change the whole content to their desire to create a new work of art. Digitalization has made it available for individuals to reproduce art to their own interpretation.

First Thought

First Thought

No wonder people explore into the medium of photography because as humans, we response well to images. Photography is such a powerful medium that helps viewers understand the purpose of the image in just one glimpse. Anyone could pick up a camera, take a picture and share that image with the rest of the world. When you look at it from that point of view, you realize that people take pictures that move them and make those images available to be shared with the rest of the world with the help of numerous photo sharing websites, which helps the photographer spread the word of their work.

Banksy, who is known for his satirical graffiti had left many of his work through out the streets of Toronto. This caused an uproar throughout the art community as many were delighted with what Bansky had left behind.Everyone knows that there is heavy opposition to graffiti since there many people who treat it as vandalism and don't appreciate the medium that graffiti provides.

Banksy's work is far from the typical graffiti that would be found in the alleyways since there is an message that he wants to get out. He is critically acclaimed for all the realness he portrays in every one of his works. Unfortunately, many of his pieces were painted over by some Toronto businesses as they saw his work as vandalism to their property. This bring things to a point that shows how photography is such a beneficial medium that helps store memories. In this case of Banksy's, many people were quick to react and take pictures of his work as they knew the fear of the unknown and didn't want all the hard work of Banksy to go to waste. Photography helped spread the word of Banksy's work in Toronto.


Photos Courtesy of Torontoist