portraits...
Irving Penn is best known for his fashion photography which included him working with Vogue. His portraiture is popular due to its simplicity of using a low key setup within his work as he was one of the first photographers to pose his subjects against a simple black, white or grey backdrop...
The two images on the left have a similar impact on the viewer. Penn has created these portraits in a Low Key Setup and has zoomed into the models faces. This allows the models face to be the focus of the photo as you are unable to see the background. The light in the left photo has been directed by the photographer to light the models nose and eye area, putting main focus in the eyes which are diverted away from the camera. There is also a bit of tone around the man in the left photo's face, giving the effect of him blending into the background. The light on the centre photo however lights her whole face which creates a distinct divide between her face and the background. The focus in this photo is her freckles and eyes as they stand out most. The centre model has however made direct eye contact to the camera which conveys much more emotion than the first photo where eye contact is not made. The photographer's use of a simple background allows focus to fully be on the models rather than a bright background.
The photo on the right has a similar effect as the others due to the fact that the models eyes being closed and then covered in a strip of black. Although the open mouth could suggest the model is screaming, we are unable to see the emotion of the model due to the closed eyes. this photo is also captured in a high key setup which puts main focus on the black strip as the rest of the photo is very bright.
The photo on the right has a similar effect as the others due to the fact that the models eyes being closed and then covered in a strip of black. Although the open mouth could suggest the model is screaming, we are unable to see the emotion of the model due to the closed eyes. this photo is also captured in a high key setup which puts main focus on the black strip as the rest of the photo is very bright.
still life...
Penn also used modernist still life of bones, food, bottles, metal and randomly found objects in his work...
Irving Penn's still life work is highly organised and pays great attention to detail. Such as his photo 'bread, salt and water' (bottom right) which is of three completely different substances and quite a minimalistic photo which highlights their differences, ie. their textures. His work can be fairly simple, such as the two cigarette butts neatly placed together, which can be quite effective to the viewer as the frame isn't too busy that you need to look at it for a long time to take in the details.