GEORGE PLATT LYNES - PORTRAITS
Although I've got conceptual ideas for the project I wanted to look at a more traditional photographer to gain some insight into how to manifest these ideas into something physical. Also with the ban on editing for this project, Lynes seems appropriate to look at in that respect too.
The book I picked up had a slight focus on nudes in a strong and powerful way, much like the way nudity is used in Ancient Greek sculpture as well as strong dance like poses. The photograph below particularly stood out to me because the skinny but muscular dancers body with tattoos reminds me of my partner, who has often been the subject of my work so far.
The fact that they are all black and white removes some of the humility between the models and the viewer because it detaches them that bit more by giving us less information.
Below, the use of props flows naturally between the subject and background. Although I like this, it does not fit with my plans to create something very excessive. I will explore using so many props that they form a background or pattern. Having said this, using such simple props to create a base pattern like stripes would remove difficulty of negative spaces that I could be struggling to fill.
"In the many ways Lynes worked with models, he was always in full creative control. He amassed a body of images that are as notable for their formal beauty as their quiet eroticism. His interest in glamour and design can be seen in his mastery of composition and dramatic studio lighting. In each picture, light is skillfully played against dark, as every element--prop, gesture, turn of a head or armrests in perfect, harmonious tableau."
Pictured below, there is a simple yet effective use of religious imagery. I will try to gather as many concepts like this as I can from a wide range of sources to make it easier for me to ultimately make nods to religion without it being the main focus of the image.
"In an era when erotic photography of the male nude was taboo, Lynes was a true pioneer, composing stunningly beautiful pictures, revolutionary in their originality and sexually charged themes."
As in past projects, I'm still interested in referencing iconic works in fine art history. Whether intentional or not, this piece strongly resembles Matisse's two paintings titled Dance. Other than pose, I could potentially reference with use of colour, an iconic prop or title of the piece.
Matisse, H. (1910). Dance.
M, V. (2017). George Platt Lynes The Man Behind The Camera. [online] Queer-arts.org. Available at: http://www.queer-arts.org/archive/show3/lynes/lynes.html [Accessed 16 Oct. 2017].
Weber, B., Reinisch, J. and Crump, J. (1993). George Platt Lynes. Boston: Bulfinch Press.
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