[On the first three portraits in the PF Gallery.]
D.L.Shipman (Untitled) --
An image of an iguana's head. What a magnificent critter this is. Frozen sharp in what seems to be a strobe PoP, every nubbin on its light turquoise/orange/red/black armored skin sharply delineated, its peephole-eye following us around the room. In some indefinable way, this feels more like a portrait of an individual than an illustration of a generic kind of animal. The point of view looks down on this petite dragon, allowing the viewer to retain a dominant gaze upon this formidable animal. This image thrives on what is commonly called the-thing-in-itself, which automatically confers an aura of veracity (and believability). But never forget that only the iguana can be the thing-in-itself: This is the thing-in-the-monitor.
[But not a monitor lizard !]
Marilyn Dalrymple, "A Star Among Us" ---
A bust-length portrait of a woman (mother) holding (her ?) child. She is beaming with love and pride. Madonna and Child at Christmas time. Today, I witnessed/heard a baby crying while its blood was being drawn, the mother cooing soothing, purely loving sounds, and I marveled at how instinctively moving that is, no matter how often I hear it. The world is born anew, given yet another chance every time a baby is born, part of the mystery of Christmas.
Two lights ? I see two catchlights in the Mother's right eye, and there's also light skimming on the hair (3rd light ?).
The child's expression is not as intense, yet conveys wonder (I know, King Arthur would suggest a head-swap in PS). The gauzy borders, specially in the lower right, are too heavy-handed IMO. The star looks to this viewer like a tiny Easter Rabbit covered in silver glitter.
Having picked all those nits, I have little doubt that the Mom loves this picture, and that's what really matters in the end. All of our quibbling pales before the magic of seeing oneself and/or loved ones in a portrait. The portraitist forges a talisman for his subjects that protects against time, mortality, human frailty, the 50-50 chance of a family breaking up, that stands for life and all the hopes and dreams one has, for no matter what, there they are, together, bound by the frame in one shining moment.
Dean Hameed, :) ---
Lovely and unique title ! A portrait of a young man, eyes closed, in patchy light. This doesn't have the flavor of a controlled studio shot (?), more the fluidity of an encounter between what's on location, and creatively synergizing with it.
I do not know this man, and have no way to know if this captures his essence....but I am confident that it nailed his humanity, and that reaches into my heart without mediation, directly. The young man's easy countenance, smiling face and closed eyes, are very dreamy, making me wonder what *was* he thinking ? What would make me smile like that ? (SSSSHHHH !), and that is why this portrait works for me. The chiaroscuro lighting is daring and beautiful. I find the blocked highlights in the shirt (lower left) distracting. A crop from the bottom
of 15% or toning them down via burning-in or PS ?
[This brings to mind something I was just reading that the 15th century painter Leon Battista Alberti wrote on the expression of emotions....]
" It is a law of our nature -- than which there is nothing more eager or greedy for what is like itself -- that we weep with the weeping, laugh with the laughing, and grieve with those who grieve. But these emotions are revealed by the movements of the body"
[More later, if I have time]
-- Luis
