I chose a portrait image of Georgia O’Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz. I was drawn to this image originally because I am a fan of Georgia O’Keeffe’s work but it is an extremely beautiful photograph. The way that the light hits her ribs, collarbone, and neck creates beautiful shadows and highlights. I thought this was interesting because in Georgia O’Keeffe’s images of skulls and other bones she also has these striking shadows, so this photograph parallels her work. I also love the expression on Georgia O’Keeffe’s face; she looks very different than she does in most images of her. There is something so free about how she is positioned with the wind in her hair and her shirt blown open. The warm tones of this image create a softness to her although she has a stern face.
Portraiture is obviously still relevant today as it is still a very common part of photography. I think the way Stieglitz handed the level of contrast in this piece is beautiful and is a style that is still commonly used.
“Alfred Stieglitz: Georgia O’Keeffe (1918).” Artsy, www.artsy.net/artwork/alfred-stieglitz-georgia-okeeffe-1.
This is a good analysis of light, expression, positioning, tonality and soft edges.