The Portrait - VICE Magazine
Portrait photography, or portraiture, is a style of photography with the sole purpose of capturing the personality of a person or group of people using a range of tools and techniques like lighting, props and backdrops, and poses.
A Brief History of VICE Magazine:
VICE is an American-Canadian magazine, first founded in Montreal, Canada in 1994. VICE moved to New York City, United States in 1999, and has since been their home and primary base of operations. VICE also launched their first website in 1999, under the domain viceland.com until 2012 which is when they acquired the domain vice.com. In 2006, VICE founded the creative advertising agency Virtue, which develops campaigns, platforms and IP for some of the leading brands in the world. 2009 saw the launch of their speciailsed website Motherboard: a vertical dedicated to science and technology. With the great success of Motherboard, VICE then teamed up with Intel to launch The Creator's Project in the same year. Following the success of both Motherboard and The Creator's Project, VICE launches a new vertical in 2011 dedicated to music and those who want to make music, called Noisey. A third vertical called Broadly is launched in 2015, which, as the name suggests, is dedicated to a broad range of things from identity to LGBTQ+, astrology and witchcraft. In 2016, VICE launched their first television channel VICELAND, or VICE TV for regions outside North America. This television channel was designed to be a home for people and their ideas. A year later in 2017, VICE Studios is launched, producing a range of scripted and unscripted content featuring many creators. VICE Studios has created content for Netflix and Amazon.
Since being founded in 1994, VICE now have offices in 35 cities across the globe, including cities in the UK, America, Asia and the Middle-East.
Radical Change:
The term 'radical change' refers to a fast-paced change that results in a modification in social structures and organisational practices. Radical change is a type of change that specifically affects the resources, normative, and interpretive schemes of groups and individuals.
My Idea:
My initial idea comes from my love for music, specifically metal music, and the incorporation of classical elements that bands within the genre have opted to use. I also want to capture VICE’s element of obscurity in my work by using musical instruments as props in unusual places.
Test Shoot No.1 – Bellingham Park, South-East London:
The main objective for this test shoot was to scout out a possible location and set for the final shoot, whilst also making sure my model is comfortable and ready for the final shoot.
The test shots from this particular test shoot came out a little grainy, which is possibly due to file compression, or the shooting settings on my camera. This I will take into consideration for my next test shoot and my final shoot.
Final Thoughts and Issues to Consider:
From my test shoot, I had decided to carry on with my initial idea and have my model play my cello in a children’s playground, more specifically, whilst sat upon a swing. This decision combined my initial idea of classical elements with the obscurity of VICE magazine.
The main issue that occurred during my project surrounds the Covid-19 pandemic. As the country went into a second lockdown, I was forced to put my project on pause as my model and I could not leave our houses due to our family. I really liked my initial idea and so I was determined to get the shots I desired once the lockdown had been lifted.
Final Outcome:
Whilst my submission piece doesn’t quite look like my original sketches, it still remains very close to my initial idea. My final piece was shot in a children’s playground just before the sun had set. I am very satisfied with the final outcome, and I am glad I remained loyal to my initial idea.
Portraits I Admire
Mary Ellen Mark (March 20, 1940 - May 25, 2015)
Mary Ellen Mark was an American photographer, known primarily for her photojournalism and portraiture that would usually stray away from mainstream society. She also worked to portray the more diverse cultures in India as well as the torment of street life around New York and Seattle.
Gelsey Kirkland - Manhattan, New York 2007
The portrait above is dancer Kelsey Kirkland (right) and dancer Mary Mills Thomas, who, at the time, was part of the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company. The portrait was taken by Mary Ellen Mark in New York City in 2007 for the new production of The Sleeping Beauty, which saw the return of Kelsey Kirkland to the American Ballet Theatre after leaving little over 20 years prior.
The portrait was styled by Sarajane Hoare, and the style used in this portrait is particularly important as it portrays the contrast between the modern and older styles of ballet, and the fashion and outfits that entails. The portrait also portrays the contrast between the old and the young, and in turn, the experienced and the less experienced.
Emotionally, the portrait portrays Kirkland's love for this particular art. After dedicating her life to dance; leaving the American Ballet Theatre to coach abroad in 1984, she returned over 20 years later to stage the production of The Sleeping Beauty, as well as coach the dancers in their roles for the production.
Flash lighting is used just off the left of the frame but illuminates both women. The use of a black and white filter on an already seemingly monotone portrait emphasises the previously mentioned contrasts. The positioning of the two women is important; both are centre frame, with Kirkland slightly behind Thomas, who has placed a gentle hand on Kirkland's shoulder. This positioning is a beautiful way to portray their relationship as a teacher and student, mentor and friend.
Estimated Lighting Diagram:
Tim Tronckoe
Tim Trockoe is a Belgian photographer with a passion for art, fashion and music. He primarily specialises in rock and metal music photography, taking portraits of well-known artists within the genre. Tronckoe released his first book of photographs, titled Portraits, in 2019, which sold out within the first two weeks.
Johannes Eckerström - Antwerp, Belgium
The portrait above is Johannes Eckerström, lead vocalist in the Swedish heavy metal band Avatar. The portrait was taken in Antwerp, Belgium, and formed part of Tim Tronckoe's first photographic book, Portraits. The set was designed by Tronckoe, whilst the style and collar were designed by Simon De Bruyne.
The portrait reveals a nice infusion of historical fashion and dark aesthetics with modern influencers, whilst still allowing Echerström to portray his character and the face of his band.
The positioning of Eckerström is important as it portrays a deeper sense of power and status. The hand hidden under a piece of clothing has been a signature of status for centuries, with historical figures such as Napoleon and Arthur Wellesley being documented with a hand under their garments in their portraits.
The hand on the globe was also a known gesture to indicate power, with Queen Elizabeth I captured in portrait, having one hand placed over a globe to indicate the English domination. Tronckoe employs the use of composition, dress, props and lighting to tell a historical narrative of power.
The lighting, which is placed off the left of the frame, is used to illuminate the posture and positioning of Eckerström, particularly his hands and where they are placed. The light also illuminates one side of his face, whilst casting shadow on the other.
Estimated Lighting Diagram:
Annie Leibovitz (October 2, 1949 - Present)
Anna-Lou Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer, made famous by her engaging portraiture of celebrities often depicted in intimate settings and poses. She is the photographer behind the famous and intimate portrait of John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, which is considered to be the Rolling Stone magazine’s most famous cover photograph. Since beginning her photography career, she has worked with many celebrities and political figures.
HM Queen Elizabeth II (b. 1926) wearing Garter Robes - Buckingham Palace, London 2007.
The portrait above is Queen Elizabeth II, taken by Annie Leibovitz at Buckingham Palace in 2007. Leibovitz became the first American to make an official portrait of The Queen, which is fitting because the photographs in this collection were commissioned by the Royal Household to celebrate Her Majesty’s State Visit to the United States. The portraits of Queen Elizabeth II combine the techniques of modern-day portraiture with old and royal tradition.
The portrait reveals a greater understanding of the wealth within The Royal Family, showcasing the elegant White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, the weight and complexity of Her Majesty’s garments. The collection also serves as a way for the viewer to see The Queen for who she is.
Leibovitz uses composition and space, coupled with light coming from the direction of the window to portray the size of the room in comparison to The Queen. Focusing the light on Queen Elizabeth II, whilst also casting shadow on the rest of the room indicates the importance of the subject.
Estimated Lighting Diagram:
Sources:
Mary Ellen Mark:
Photographers A – Z by Hans Michael Koetzle
http://www.maryellenmark.com/bio_resume/bio_resume.html
Tim Tronckoe:
Portraits by Tim Tronckoe
https://www.timtronckoe.com/about
Annie Leibovitz:
Photographers A – Z by Hans Michael Koetzle
https://www.rct.uk/annie-leibovitz-born-1949
Client Research – VICE Magazine:
https://company.vice.com/about/#timeline
Radical Change:
https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary
