Ex 3.7: Hollywood portrait

Part B: Without lights

There are plenty of Hollywood images to choose from. Pick one that you enjoy and can re-create using window light and a small amount of bounced flash. You’ll need a suitable model, preferably someone who is prepared to enter into the spirit of the task!

The first thing to do is analyse the lighting. Where is it coming from? Look for the deepest shadows for the main light. Then make your own lighting diagram and produce a Hollywood- style set of portrait images.

Produce three images in black and white – 10x12” or A4 at 320 dpi. 

I think these are great images of Kelsey and we had a great rapport between us.  They were taken with a neutral background beside a plain window to get some great modelling light on her face and saxaphone.

Ex 3.8: Jack Nicholsan et alia

Analyse Bailey’s portrait of Jack Nicholson. Take a good look at the portrait first. What mood does it convey? Who is this person? What was Bailey trying to do? As before, analyse the various elements independently then think about how they come together to create meaning.

Jack Nicholson

Pose/gesture	Direct gaze into camera, grinning madly
Clothes	Suit but no tie
Props	No props
Lighting	Strong directional lighting gives mad look
Background	Plain white background
Meaning	Someone with evil intentions

 

Michael Caine

Pose/gesture	Smoking suggests manhood but not lit – waiting, apprehensive – direct physical /sexual challenge
Clothes	Sharp-dressed, trendy rather than City
Props	Glasses and cigarette, glasses part of the character but just frames
Lighting	Moody, from the side one light and an opposing reflector to fill in the front
Background	Plain, gives contrast at the edges
Meaning	Spy character – ‘Jack the Lad’ have a go at anything, I’m tough

Terence Donovan, Brian Duffy, Norman Parkinson, Angus McBean, John French and Cecil Beaton. 

Terence Donovan – Terrance Stamp 

 

Pose/gesture	Sultry, staring straight at the camera
Clothes	Modern day
Props	No props except a moustache
Lighting	Low contrast
Background	Very low key, black
Meaning	Sexy, meaningful stare

Brian Duffy – Harold Wilson

Pose/gesture	Strong, dependable, to be trusted
Clothes	Suit and tie
Props	Suit and tie used at prop to show reliability
Lighting	From left hand side and a light highlighting background
Background	Plain backdrop highlighted by key lighting
Meaning	Gives impression of being a strong dependable approachable politician

Norman Parkinson – Princess Margaret

Pose/gesture	Royal princess like
Clothes	Expensive, embroidered afternoon dress
Props	Sitting on upright chair
Lighting	Flattering, side lighting and on background
Background	Neutral, flattering colour framed with flowers
Meaning	Here’s a pretty princess looking regal

Angus McBean – Audrey Hepburn

  

Pose/gesture	Gamin, young woman
Clothes	Swim suit
Props	Sea shells, two anchors, wooden boat
Lighting	Very Hollywood, giving bright spot behind her head to emphasise face, direct light from left hand side giving shadows to right
Background	Sea scene
Meaning	Very direct look staring at camera but with sultry eyes

John French – Jean Shrimpton

  

Pose/gesture	High fashion, sophisticated
Clothes	Evening dress, expensive necklace/bracelet
Props	Cigarette
Lighting	Low key, very moody dark
Background	Black with no lighting on background
Meaning	Sophisticated fashion model, with cigarette

  Cecil Beaton

Pose/gesture	Poised, sophisticated, Hollywood model, very glamorous
Clothes	Expensive evening dress
Props	Expensive gem necklace/earrings
Lighting	Flattering soft lighting
Background	Soft light coloured material
Meaning	Attractive accomplished beautiful capable actress

The Obamas

 

Pose/gesture	Hand on hearts, looking skywards to the flag and heaven
Clothes	Non-business, casual, ‘man of the people’ clothes
Props	None
Lighting	Daylight with a little fill-in flash
Background	The masses – ordinary people
Meaning	I love America – proud to be an American

Ex 3.9: Mixed messages

Sally Mann - Candy Cigarette

This image is called Candy Cigarette. Does that influence your interpretation of the image? This was a highly controversial image in 1989 when it was produced. What do you think the
reaction would be to it today? 

Make notes in your learning log or blog. It might be interesting to go on the student forum and find out what other students have made of this image.

 

Pose/gesture	Adult smoking cigarette, other child defiant
Clothes	Children’s clothes,
Props	Sweet cigarette
Lighting	Natural lighting
Background	In a garden/patio
Meaning	Child emulating adult smoking, trying to act grown up
Reaction today	Smoking is seen in a different light today as more people try to give up the habit.  This would be seen as condoning the habit and encouraging not only the child in the picture to smoke but to make other children think and encourage them its okay to smoke regardless of the problems that might occur in later life.

Pose/gesture	Starring defiantly at camera
Clothes	Evening clothes, ready for a night out
Props	None
Lighting	Dark as inside a taxi, looks like no extraneous flash used
Background	New York city street through taxi window
Meaning	Defiant, bold cheeky, daring criticisms