Bob W wrote:
That's a very interesting difference in how we use the words. So, to give an
example, you would not consider Arnold Newman's photograph of Krupp to be a
portrait? If so, it goes very strongly against the way the word is
understood in British English at the very least.
Karsh's picture of Churchill was the one Jostein and I chose in our
discussion of this.
http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/Canada/karsh_on_churchill.htm
I have never noticed such a distinction in American or Canadian writing
about photography.
You can see Newman's picture of Krupp on the PDN page for Newman
(http://www.pdngallery.com/legends/newman/). Under Portraits! ;o)
Bob
Around here, the meaning of portrait and character study are much
more like Bill has said. Perhaps it has meaning based on the intent.
In a character study, one is trying to bring out something more about
the person than just the exterior view. In a portrait one is trying
to show a pleasing view of the exterior.
Pleasing to whom? How about if I told you that the subject of this
discussion was pretty pleased with the picture? Is it a portrait now?
When did it change?
Perhaps another way to think of it is that portraits are regularly
asked for and paid for by the subject. Character studies may not be.
I'm sure in different parts of the world, there is a difference of
meaning of these words. And, at times, even with different meanings,
a single photograph could show both. One of the easiest tests of the
portrait success is if the subject is happy with the image.
So Jostein, has the subject seen this image and what did he think?
--
Bruce
Friday, April 10, 2009, 4:23:39 AM, you wrote:
2009/4/9 William Robb <war...@gmail.com>:
Had you called it a character study, then I would have commented
differently. You called it a portrait, and that had a great
deal to do with
my response to it.
hmm...
That's interesting. Didn't cross my mind that the word "portrait"
primed people that much. Or maybe that my understanding of
the word is
that deviant... :-)
Another lesson learned, hopefully.
snip<
BW> I always think of 'character study' and 'portrait' as
synonymous. To me the
BW> whole point of a portrait is to reveal something of the
person's character
BW> to the viewer. Otherwise it's just a mug shot, or a study
in texture or
BW> form.
BW> Bob
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