Photographic History (assignment 2)

Liza Minnelli is a well known American singer and actor and the daughter of Judy Garland. This photograph, taken by Mary Ellen Mark seems spontaneous due to the fact that the subject (presumably photographed countless times before and since) seems tense, and is gazing off to the left of the frame. It gives the viewer the impression of nervousness and therefore suggests insight into the inner workings of the secretive celebrity’s personal life off stage.
Isadora Duncan by Edward Steichen is one of my favorite images in the exhibition. The subject’s Christ-like pose suggests great extravagance, complimenting the magnificent structure that surrounds and frames her. The viewer reads this image as one of ancient beauty, due to the vastness and age of the architecture, the flowing gown and obvious wonder exuding from the subject as she beholds her surroundings with open arms. The main differences between these two examples of portraiture for VF is the natural lighting of the Steichen image as opposed to the harsher (pre-planned?) lighting used to illuminate Minnelli. Another main difference is the degree of focus placed on the subject. Isadora Duncan is part of her surroundings whereas Minnelli is an example of the way modern portraiture limits environmental distractions and focuses almost solely on the subject.
The photographer plays a crucial role in the construction of identity in a photograph. Often, this carries over to the formation of what we ourselves perceive to be identity as we are influenced by what we witness. In these two images, the photographers seem to place the subjects in environments they are familiar with or that reflect the subject’s character. Isadora Duncan, an American dancer was well known for her extravagant nature, and her lavish surroundings reflect this, whereas Minnelli is surrounded by what looks to be like a back-stage environment, making reference to her career as a singer and actor. The construction of these images aids in conveying a sense of the subjects identity to the viewer.
Portraiture of Celebrities is often just expensive versions of portraiture found in the family home. The debate concerning the degree of truthfulness in a portrait often questions whether you can truly judge a person by how they look for a fraction of a second in time. Celebrities may be portrayed as constantly having a 'mask' on, but most 'normal' people also practice this habit of creating an outward persona. Therefore, I believe that portraiture of celebrities is no more or less truthful in any way to normal portraiture.