portraits > In Search of a Common Language

Beverly
Polaroid Type 55
Matt
Polaroid Type 55
Jim
35mm BW Infrared
Norm
HolgaRoid Type 665
Norm
Digital
Vicki
Digital
Vicki
Digital
Obie
Nikon FM2 Tri-X
Alfonso
Polaroid Type 55
Rene
YachicaMat TMax 400
Briana
Holga TMax 400
Bahram
SpeedGraphic 4x5 Polaroid Type 55
Clifford
Holga Tri-X
proof
Holga Tri-X
Briana
Digital
Jeanine
SpeedGraphic 4x5 Polaroid Type 55
Michelle
SpeedGraphic 4x5 Polaroid Type 55
Kym
SpeedGraphic 4x5 Polaroid Type 55
Kym
SpeedGraphic 4x5 Polaroid Type 55
Skeff
Digital
Wayne
SpeedGraphic 4x5 Polaroid Type 55
Briana
Holga Tri-X
Dave
Holga Tri-X
proof
Holga Tri-X
Wayne K
Kodak 3200 speed B/W Film
Edgar
YashicaMat TMax 400
Zoe
YashicaMat TMax 400
Zoe
YashicaMat TMax 400
Gadge
Nikon FM2 Tri-X
Carolina
Holga Tri-X
Alex
Holga Tri-X
Alyssa
Holga TMax 400
Andrew
Holga Tri-X
proof
Holga Tri-X
Mark and Liz
Calumet 4x5 Tri-X
Dan and Spike
SpeedGraphic 4x5 Polaroid Type 55
Kim
Holga Tri-X
Laz
Seagull 6x6 Tri-X
Michelle
SpeedGraphic 4x5 Polaroid Type 55
Miguel
Seagull 6x6 Tri-X
Mija
Holga Tri-X
Rob
Seagull 6x6 Tri-X
Robert
Seagull 6x6 Tri-X
untitled
Seagull 6x6 Tri-X
untitled
YachicaMat 6x6 Tri-X
Jason
Holga TMax 400
Elizabeth, NJ
YachicaMat Tri-X
Young
Holga Tri-X

series received merit award in 2009 International Photography Awards

series exhibited in solo shows in 2007 and 2008

The portrait is one of the most popular and ubiquitous genres of photography. Deeply rooted in the rich history and traditions of portrait painting, photographic portraits can be found in editorial, fashion, advertising, documentary, commercial and conceptual imagery. Throughout the history of this medium, a great many photographers have created portraits in hopes of capturing the “essence” of their subject or at least, exemplifying their subject’s character in some way. Others have sought to employ their subject in order to portray some narrative, whether theatrical or seemingly commonplace. Still more have worked to present a genuine example of humanity in all its forms. Most of us might recognize all these approaches simply as a means to represent a person.

I am compelled by something more intangible, an intuition, a feeling. Like most photographers, I am drawn to specific lighting or composition or “look”, but these elements are just the foundation for something I find more fascinating. I am most interested in documenting quotidian expression. I set out to record gestures we might all find familiar in their casual articulation. However, we take them for granted and often do not even notice them when they occur. They are “in between” moments, often unposed and usually forgotten.

In his description of Richard Avedon’s portraits, Brian Wallis speaks of Avedon’s “unrelenting focus on the individual, emphasized by capturing unposed moments of inattention and lack of composure”. In this series of images, I hope to create an unspoken vernacular that resonates in its unmannered representation through these subjects.