Zigler+Portrait

This photo, while untitled, was shot by Robert Bergman. Bergman is a Minneapolis photographer, who believes in taking his time while taking pictures of street and homeless people. I got this photo from MPR News, who had an article about Bergman and his art. I think this photo is very good because of the lighting, balance and emphasis. Bergman used outside natural lighting when taking this photo, which, in turn, makes the photo and the subject look very natural. The natural lighting exposes who this little boy is and what he most likely lives like, given that most of Bergman's subjects were of homeless or poor people. The natural lighting shows the whole boy's face, which exposes his story and personality to the audience. Overall, this natural lighting is perfect as Bergman is trying to display the subject as natural and in their essence. The balance between the boy and the background shows perhaps that his life is in balance or that he is surrounded and effected by his environment. In addition, there is balance between the light and dark values of the piece with the darkness on top and the light values on the bottom. The background also adds interest and frames the boy, causing him to stand out. This composition technique of framing causes the boy to stand out and be emphasized by being in the middle. This emphasis on the boy makes the audience clear of who the subject is and what they should be focusing on. Bergman made this photo into a true work of art, not just a snapshot, by capturing this boy's story and exposing him to the audience through his lighting and composition techniques, which also gave the boy a sense of dignity, despite what conditions surround him. Bergman’s artwork may influence my own by giving me an idea of who my subjects might be and what I’ll try to show with them. If I want my portrait to be dramatic and bold like Bergman’s, I will focus on simplicity and unity. I may also do the portrait outside, so my subject is in natural lighting, which, in turn, exposes their true identity.  This photo, while also untitled, was shot by Cindy Sherman, who was a photographer, model and filmmaker. I got this photo from cindysherman.com, which is a tribute to Cindy Sherman and offers a biography, as well as her art, books and film. I think this photo is very good because of the lighting, pattern and point of view. The lighting seems to be artificial studio fill, which offers a harsh lighting on the boy. This harsh lighting reflects his look of tiredness and confusion and also exposes his red and shiny face. This lighting works well with these features and offers us, as the audience, a sense of confusion and discomfort as this boy looks exhausted and confused himself. The pattern of the tiles on the orange floor as work well with the colors of his shirt, face and features, but as match his orange, checkered shorts. The pattern also reflects the discord within the portrait as it never stays even and goes opposite ways. Sherman took this portrait from above the subject while he was laying down. This point of view fully exposes us to this lack of harmony and expression on the boy's face. Sherman made this portrait a true work of art, instead of just a snapshot by using all of these elements and techniques that balance and compliment each other to give this picture such a disheveled look. However, there is still a sense of unity within the portrait as everything has an orange color to it. This might influence my work by reminding me that everything must work together to create a common goal. I may also strategically place my subject against a background that expresses their mood. This portrait is titled "Bette Midler" and was taken by Annie Leibovitz, an American portrait photographer. I got this photo from PBS, who had a celebrity portrait gallery. I think this portrait is very good because of the lighting, emphasis and framing. The lighting appears to be artificial studio fill, which makes the subject clear and exposed. The lighting fills everything in the portrait, including the background of the wood and roses. The emphasis is placed on the woman by her light skin standing out against the dark roses and background. This draws the viewers eyes to the subject and makes her very defined. The roses frame the women and offer a sexy and dangerous feel to her. Again, these darker values around her frame her lighter skin and hair, making these features stand out. The roses also add a some leading lines to the woman but also create some messy and disheveled feel. Sherman made this portrait a true work of art, instead of just a snapshot by staging the photo and having a good choice of background that makes us understand the woman and gives it that attractive and seductive feel. Her body position, as well as the rose in her mouth also creates this feel and enhances the portrait. Sherman's artwork might influence my own by causing me to strategically position my model and use props and a well thought-out background to enhance the mood I am trying to create.