The Role of Early Day Photography and Portraits Today

First I believe it is important to explain what a portrait is; Oxford Canadian Dictionary says, "a drawn, painted or photographed image of a person or animal esp. of the head".  Overall it is a representation of a person, usually taken at a prime in their lives or at a memorable event with the subject looking at the artist.


1. What are the differences and similarities between portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today?


2. Who was the photographer and who was the subject of the photographs in the past and today?


3. What was the impact of technology on portraits in the past and today?


We have seen portraits change a great deal through time, from ancient civilization to the renaissance period; only the wealthy and influential were able to have self portraits.  Today it has become a common practice, especially with availability to digital photography.

In the early days of portraiture we most commonly see people who are of higher status (the rich and powerful), their families and other people of importance who would commission an artist to make representations of themselves.  Often these representations were exaggerated to enhance the beauty of the individuals.  As Aristotle stated, "The aim of Art is to present not the outward appearance of things, but their inner significance; for this, not the external manner and detail, constitutes true reality."  

The the birth of photography in the 1820's blew people by surprise.  It was able to capture more detail and the real likeliness of the person then paintings or sculptures ever did.  All sorts of different types of photography evolved from then on, one being physionotrace; a machine designed to trace a persons profile in form of a silhouette.  Then came Daguerreotype in 1839 which was the first publicly available photographic process which used a silver plate and iodine fumes to expose the image.  Then in 1842 cyanotype process (aka blueprints) was discovered which made it easy to develop large scale images.   

Its amazing to see how portraits have evolved through time yet so many aspects of portraying humans has remained the same; capturing their true beauty. In the beginning of photography, people have been improving the camera and its techniques. Alone in my lifetime I have seen cameras evolve from using 24 exposure films to digital cameras that have the capability to take hundreds of pictures.  Today photography has become accessible to almost everyone, and has made it very easy to document ones life.  will be amazing to see where the future of photography lies.  

Here are several portraits my friend took during his education at Fanshawe College in photography.  With the technology we have today, enhancing photos, altering people so we believe they are beautiful happens all the time.  

Photographs from my trip to Australia, influenced by Peter Lik

Can art be mechanically reproduced?

When something is reproduced for so many times is that art? 

What's the importance of the mechanical reproducibility of the art? 

What was the impact on mechanical reproducibility on the society?

Centuries ago, Greeks were able to create copies of coins by method of stamping, later a method called lithography was created which allowed prints to be made using a stone or metal plate then that was replaced by photography. We have advanced so far in technology that it has lifted the craft of photography to new heights of artistic achievement, especially in this day in age.  I believe that when art is reproduced several times, it is still considered art even though Walter Benjamin says that art is devalued when it is mechanically reproduced.  It is important for art to be reproduced so it can reach many more people world wide.

Is photography art, or contribution to the art? 

Is it just a tool used by artists?

Photography is most definitely a form of art.  Photographers have their own techniques in lighting and positioning the subject, the exposure, developing the film and the overall statement the photographer hopes to pass on to the viewer.  Some photographers also take the next step in manipulating the picture. 

How and why Henry Peach Robinson created  Fading Away? 
What was the reason?

This is one of Henry Peach Robinson's most famous works.  A composition of five negatives, in which he depicts a girl dying and people by her side.  This work brought on a lot of controversy, some did not believe that this was an event worth being photographed at that time.


Photography has impacted the world of art and influenced some changes in the area of accessibility to art. If mechanical reproduction created revolution, what is happening now with the digitalization?

Art has changed a great deal over past centuries, and it is very exciting to see where it will go next.  As of right now, we are able to take photos, view them instantaneously and develope them in our homes where before only wealthy people could afford to own a camera.  The transition from film to digital alone was a major step ahead and as technology continues to move at an alarming rate, we will see more advances which will make photography more accessible to anyone.   

Just a few pictures I would like to share from my trip to Las Vegas:

Introduction

Jerusalem, Israel

  I have been fortunate enough to visit 27 countries throughout the world.  One of my lifelong goals has been and continues to be the study of food.  My travels have exposed me to a variety of cuisines, international customs, etiquette and cooking techniques that were thrilling, inspirational and assured me that culinary arts are my true passion in life.  During my travels I have seen some beautiful sites which has also helped my love for photography grow.  Which is why during my studies of Culinary Management at George Brown College I am taking a photography elective in hopes of learning more about the art and history of photography.  I am planning on showing you some of my past photos from my travels and more recent ones I am planning on taking during the duration of this course (includng some of my culinary creations).  Hope you all enjoy my blog and Bon Appetit.