THE SOURFACE PORTRAITS: Recently I was commissioned by some lovely ladies to take some pictures of them. Both, beautiful women; one is in her twenties, the other has just stepped into her sixth decade. It was so much fun to shoot both of them, and they seemed happy with the pictures I gave them, I found it interesting that MY FAVORITE pictures of them were ones they didn't care much for.
The best portraits in my opinion, were the "outtakes." The photos snapped in between the next set-up. Pictures of them hamming it up, grimacing, laughing. I found it so refreshing to see the faces of these vivacious women in action- being engaged with feeling.
No deadpan gaze of beauty. No sign of the signature blank look that usually frosts a traditional portrait of a woman being beautiful. We all know that "flattering" photos showcase symmetry and the allure of the sitter, A poised smile, a motionless cheek. But how refreshing to my eyes were these snaps that snagged the jags of character. The smirks, the sourface, the explosions of laughter.
Frankly, neither women were very pleased with my "sourface portraits," but I for one, just relish them.
How important is it to capture the arc of character in a woman, and can our ideals of beauty shine through those scrunched up eyes and pinched back smiles? What do you think?
