The early portrait in the early days of photography is more exclusive than today. Photographs are done by professional photographers; one photo may used many time and at many places. That means in the early days, photography and portraits were only for people who had reputation, wealth or power.
On other hand, photography is very popular nowadays. People can take picture by themselves, so portraits of photography in modern society have been become more private than the past.
However, the main similarity between portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today is catch character's expression. When we look at photography, works of portrait, we always trying to figure the character’s thinking, feeling, and mood. No matter in the early days or today, character’s expression is very vivid present in that photography.
2. Who was the photographer and who was the subject of photographs in the past and today?
Philippe Halsman(2 May 1906 Riga, Russian Empire - 25 June 1979 New York City)was an American portrait photographer.The very top photo from a photo album which called “Jump”. “Jump” was born in 1952, many celebrities are in this photo album such as Professor J. Robert Oppenheimer, Duke & Dutchess of Windsor, Audrey Hepburn, etc.
Photographs in today:
Jill Greenbery, born in Montreal, lives and works in United states. Although Jill Greenbery is hard to compare with Philippe Halsman,but in my opinion,she is the most famous Canadian portrait photographer in today.She also has a photo album which call“Jumping”. In her company-“Jill Greenbery Studio ”,portrait photography is still a commercial industry.She can take image in any time when her customer request. There is a link to the following websit to check Jill Greenbery’s portraits photograph. http://www.jillgreenberg.com/Work/photos
3. What was the impact on technology on the portraits in the past and today?
Technology changed the way how people take and develop photos. In 19th century, photographers use box cameras. Then, in 20th century,people use roll cameras. Also, they develop photos in darkrooms. On other hand, in 21th century, most of photos have taken by digital camera and developed by some software like photo shop.
Additionally, in the past photography of portraits, photos were taken by photographers rather than the person in that photo. However, people don’t need a photographer or other third party to help them take photos at all the time because they can use self-timer or switch the back of a digital camera to take a self portrait.
Work Cties:
Hulin, Rachel. Jump with PHILIPPE. The photography post. April 26,2010.
Greenberg,Jill. Jumping. Jill Greenberg Studio. jillgreenberg.com
Benjanmin,Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. 1935.
