Jansen+Portrait

**How do these artists make their portraits become true works of art, not just snapshots?**
The techniques the artists use are very important in creating more than just snapshots. The lighting, angels, and space all play a role. The most important part to creating a work of art out of a portrait is the photographer him or herself. He or she needs to think about the story and emotions he wants to portray in the image; for a period of time, the photographer needs to let go of the detailed mechanics of photography and just connect with the person they are shooting. Once they do this, the portrait will have so much more meaning and interpretation. This then creates that true work of art.

**What lighting and compositional techniques are evident in the photographer's work?**

 * Image #1 (William S. Burroughs)**
 * Photographer:** Annie Lebowitz
 * Source:** http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/annie-leibovitz/photo-gallery/19/
 * Lighting Used:** seems like a mix of both available natural light and studio fill light.
 * Compositional Techniques:** Focal Point was definitely used as the person is the center of the image and there are no distractions in the background


 * Image #2 (Ellen Degeneres)**
 * Photographer:** Mary Ellen Mark
 * Source:** http://www.maryellenmark.com
 * Lighting Used:** Studio fill light and flash were likely used to create the mood of the image.
 * Compositional Techniques:** Focal Point was evident as Ellen is the focus of the piece


 * Image #3 (Marilyn Monroe)**
 * Photographer:** Eve Arnold
 * Source:** http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.PhotographerDetail_VPage&l1=0&pid=2K7O3R14AZX1&nm=Eve%20Arnold
 * Lighting Used:** outside light appears to be used here to create the depth and shadows on her face
 * Compositional Techniques:** The rule of thirds and point of view were evident here as there is something in every part of this image and by shooting a silhouette type image creates a unique point of view

The three images I chose to show here are all similar; the person being shot is the only thing in the image and they are all black and white. The simplicity of these images is what attracts me most because you really just focus on the person and nothing else. These elegant yet intricate shots inspire me to shoot portraits in this way as well. After looking through other portraits on the web, I found that available natural lighting was interesting. When doing my own portraits, I really want to play with available light like from a window because I saw how it made the portraits more dramatic and deep.
 * How might their artwork influence your own?**

**Tell why you think the portraits are good (use your art vocabulary, elements and principles) **
I love all of these photographs because of the simplicity of them. There is such a strong contrast between the person and the background which really causes the person to stand out. Balance is also very strong in all three of these portraits; neither half overpowers to other half of the image. Overall, all of these portraits tell a story about the person which is what makes them so well done.