Pages

Sunday, 14 August 2011

What makes some few people charismatic in photographs?

When actors go for screen shots some 'jump out' on the screen and simply hold your attention.  Good examples are Robert Redford, George Clooney, Tom Cruise, Audrey Hepburn, Julia Roberts, and Grace Kelly. 
I noticed when taking photos of the Gathering march by hundreds up the high street in Edinburgh a few years back, that some people 'respond' to the camera - they have an energy and fun about them. Some simply smile quietly and others simply walk past and are 'wooden'  - perhaps they are fearful of the camera as if they feel it may steal their souls?).
For me the camera captures a moment in time and I hope says something about the people in the image. I often take music - and these images are also about the shared love of music.
Grace Kelly  -
'All photogenic people have square faces [Grace's] mouth, the tip of her nose, her nostrils - all are extremely sensitive. Their beauty is effective, against the ragged background of the square face' In his book. In his book 'The Face of the World' photography Cecil Beaton explained why the camera was insane for Grace Kelly. 
Robert Richardson theatre director on Grace Kelly. 
'When you looked at that picture, you were not looking at her. You were looking at the illusion of her. The camera was insane about her - just like I was. When I looked at that photograph I knew that her future would have to be in pictures.'