Brian Smith
Biography:
Brian Smith is an American portrait photographer and photojournalist. He may be known best for portraits of actors, business leaders, politicians, and athletes that are at once stylish and telling. The book Art & Soul features Smith's portraits of celebrities Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, Patricia Arquette, Adrien Brody, Alyssa Milano, Adrian Grenier, Taraji P. Henson, Tony Bennett, Kelsey Grammer, Paula Abdul, Tim Daly, Taye Diggs and Samuel L. Jackson accompanied by personal testimonials from each artist expressing their support for the importance of the arts in their lives.
Smith is President of Editorial Photographers, a photography trade organization of magazine photographers and photojournalists from around the world. He has lectured at photography trade shows including PhotoPlus Expo, WPPI and Imaging USA. He has lectured students on the Business of Editorial Photography at Brooks Institute of Photography, Ohio University, Hallmark Institute and the Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale Art Institutes.
Why I chose this photographer:
I chose to study the work of Brian Smith because I like the way in which he uses colour/black and white in cooperation with body language and facial expressions. The facial expressions that are used in his work are very influential in terms of the atmosphere created. When photographing in black and white he tends my acquired a more serious facial expression to the subject. Along with the poses and clothes worn a rather smart, clean and formal theme is produced. However, Brian also photographs in colour where the models are usually much more elaborate, expressive and happy where the overall atmosphere is enhanced by the fact that the photo is hot in colour.
It seems that the subject is placed in a corner where two walls meet - these two walls are different in colour, one black grey and one being black. I feel that Brain did this in order to allow for the shadow to be seen on the grey wall but also to allow the subjects face to be highlighted by placing it in front of the black background. This photograph illustrates how the black and white effect can enhance the formality and smartness of a piece. The black and white effect and portrait orientation compliments the costume of the subject being a suit, once again being a formal attire. This impression is further by the models facial expression being rather serious, contributing to the formal theme. There is light coming from the right side of the composition, causing shadows to be formed on the left side of the model's body. These shadows also show the form of the subject particularly enhancing the structure and profile of his face.
In this photograph a very serious and perhaps emotional atmosphere is create. This is due to the subject possessing a very serious facial expression making it seem that he is deep in thought. He also isn't looking directly at the camera, instead he is looking down, perhaps suggesting that he doesn't have the confidence to do so. The black and white effect enhances the overall tone and colour of the photo, creating a very dark and dim theme which goes hand in hand with the facial expression. A black background and black clothes are used to ensure that the model stands out and allows the shape of the subjects head to be define and shows him to be the main focus of the composition. The positioning of the light source causes shadows on the left side of the face, enhancing the structure of the temple, cheek, jaw and nose. This also makes the eyebrows more visible; the fact that they are frowning contributes to the seriousness of the piece.
In this photograph a very similar colour scheme to the one in the image above is created. The vibrance and warmth of the subjects skin is enhanced through the contrast with the background and costume. This time Brain introduces a pose to add to the atmosphere. Here the subject is looking directly at the camera which both of his hands resting on each side of his face. The lighting is coming from the right side of the composition, causing shadows to be made on the left side of the man's face and hands. This also forms lines which disperse from either side of the nose and also underneath both eyes, allowing the facial expression of a smile to be clearly visible.
How he has influenced me:
Brian has influenced me to consider whether to apply a black and white filter to my photo of enhance the warmth of the colour depending on the aspired atmosphere/mood that I want to create. I would use black and white in order to create similar outcomes as Brian, allowing my pieces to seem more formal, smart and also serious which I have learnt that all can be enhanced by the facial expression used. Visa versa I would enhance the colour if I wanted to create a more light, vibrant and happy mood, corresponding to a subject smiling. Also from analysing his work I would also like to experiment to see if I could still create a happy mood whilst using a dark background and clothes in a similar fashion to Brian. I also have realised how the facial expression and colour corresponds to the clothes, props and background of the work.
My Work:
Summary:
Overall, I feel that Brian's work is very successful due to his choice of colour, subject and body language/facial expressions in order to create a particular mood. After researching his work I found that despite using very dark backgrounds and costumes, he still is able to create a very warm and happy theme through the colour and facial expression used. I also like the way he amplifies the seriousness of a piece by using a black and white filter.
please consider technically the equipment that might have been used to get these shots and also use the photographic terminology Low key lighting, directional light etc.. to assist in you evaluations..
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