Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/02/28

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Subject: [Leica] Michelle Obama; Official Portrait
From: hopsternew at gmail.com (Geoff Hopkinson)
Date: Sat Feb 28 14:06:46 2009
References: <200902282034.n1SKYY93073476@server1.waverley.reid.org> <BLU119-DS73A0B30F7CEF1E6D414F9D4AB0@phx.gbl>

The window sash bothered me too. It is a curious choice. Also the sharp
bouqet in the foreground.It is very interesting for me to look at the
portrait though for the official approach. You can see many elements that go
into what was presumably meant to project a particular image. The out of
focus painting in the background and all of the context clues, for example.
However that's me deconstructing the elements of the shot too.
I think what non-photographer viewers get is a very confident pose with
an engaging expression from an intelligent, attractive, modern woman. So
that makes for a successful portrait for the intended audience, in my
opinion.
Still annoys the heck out of me, but then I'm not being paid to take
official White House photographs.
2009/3/1 Aram Langhans <leicar@q.com>

> I was wondering when someone was going to mention the background - the
> window and the window sash out the top of the head.  It is a lovely
> portrait
> of a lovely person, but the background seems very amateurish for a
> professional photographer.
>
> Aram
>
> > From: George Lottermoser <imagist3@mac.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Leica] Michelle Obama; Official Portrait by Joyce
> >       Boghosian
> > To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> > Message-ID: <E55CB6DC-74F4-4A10-8F35-2146BD0DF9BD@mac.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
> >
> > She looks good in the picture
> > but as a 'formal' environmental portrait (as shown - who knows who
> > cropped it when or where)
> > it leaves a bit to be desired.
> >
> > I agree with you on the too much air on top.
> > The flower in front of her hand doesn't work given the formality.
> > The strong dark vertical window frame running up her spine and out of
> > her head?
> >
> > Regards,
> > George Lottermoser
> > george@imagist.com
> > http://www.imagist.com
> > http://www.imagist.com/blog
> > http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>



-- 
Cheers
Geoff
'She looks like an angel moving too fast for its glory'

In reply to: Message from leicar at q.com (Aram Langhans) ([Leica] Michelle Obama; Official Portrait)