Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/02/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Nathan, I like your self-portrait. The subject itself doesn't give anything away at first glance - the eye gets caught on the smooth black and gray shapes and surfaces that - cropped in close - create a powerful composition that borders on abstraction. Only a moment later is there a glint of recognition: the photographer himself appears in the reflection. Nicely done. I think this is my favorite of your PAW shots. There is a rich tradition of photographic self-portraits, many of which - this one included - are "specular" self-portraits. This piece seems to be the grandchild of Rodchenko's 1933 "Chaffeur" in which a pipe-smoking chauffeur is caught - in reflection - in the mirror of his car. At second glance, one notices the photographer taking the shot over his shoulder. Guy P.S. There's a wonderful book of photographic self-portraits that I'd like to recommend: "the camera i" (L.A./N.Y.: L.A. County Museum of Art/Abrams, 1994). It includes a great series of self-portraits of everyone from Nadar to Witkin. >Last Wednesday I went to see a motorcycle show at Zurich's Messe. While >drooling over all the nice new bikes inside, I also kept an eye on what was >parked outside and noticed a classic Vespa, with a beautiful coat of black >paint and lots of chrome. I used its headlight as a mirror for a >self-portrait of sorts. Have a look at: > >http://www.geocities.com/belgiangator/pawindex.htm > >Comments welcome and appreciated as always. > >Nathan