Portrait Photography- Painting With Light

Is Portrait Photography Art?

Is Pablo Picasso an artist?

“I have discovered photography. Now I can kill myself. I have nothing else to learn.” -Pablo Picasso 1881-1973

I think portrait photography is most definitely a form of art and like most art there are many different styles and degrees of talent involved.

I use art principles in my portraits every time! I arrange lines and curves in the portrait with the subjects body. I position lights to create shadow and depth. I create color and texture with backgrounds.

I can even strip the natural color from an image and recolor it using my own eye and imagination as I have done with the painterly effect portrait of Sizz shown above. Most talented photographers I know of have artistic abilities in other areas, as well as an interest in art in general.  Picasso’s work and life as an artist is immensely interesting to me. I try to recreate Rembrandt’s lighting. And I love imitating George Hurrell, my favorite glamour photographer.

Sizz- Hollywood Glamour.

I use soft focus and dramatic lighting in the style of George Hurrell in my glamour photography. 

George Hurrell was an amazing artist in painting and photography. Check it out here-

http://georgehurrellestate.com/early_hollywood/index.htm Photography.

http://georgehurrellestate.com/paintings.htm Painting.

 

 

All images copyright Studio V Photography/Valerie Graham 2008