📷History of Photography Unit 6 – Portrait Photography: A Historical Journey

Origins and Early Techniques

• Portrait photography emerged in the early 19th century with the invention of the daguerreotype process (1839)
• Daguerreotypes produced highly detailed, one-of-a-kind images on silver-plated copper sheets
  • Required long exposure times (several minutes) and subjects had to remain still
  • Often used for post-mortem photography due to the long exposure times
• Calotype process introduced in 1841 by William Henry Fox Talbot allowed for the creation of negative images on paper
  • Enabled multiple prints from a single negative, but with less detail than daguerreotypes
• Collodion wet plate process (1851) reduced exposure times and improved image quality
  • Allowed for the creation of glass negatives and paper prints
  • Required photographers to prepare and develop plates on-site
• Carte de visite (1854) popularized affordable, small-format portrait photographs
  • Images were mounted on small cards and could be easily distributed or collected
• Cabinet cards (1866) were larger format photographs mounted on sturdy cardboard
  • Became popular for family portraits and studio photography

Pioneers of Portrait Photography

• Louis Daguerre, inventor of the daguerreotype, captured some of the earliest photographic portraits
• Nadar (Gaspard-Félix Tournachon) was a prominent French portrait photographer known for his portraits of celebrities and artists
• Julia Margaret Cameron, a British photographer, created iconic portraits with a soft, dreamy aesthetic
  • Her work often featured allegorical and literary themes
• Mathew Brady documented the American Civil War and photographed notable figures like Abraham Lincoln and Edgar Allan Poe
• Étienne Carjat captured portraits of prominent French figures, including Charles Baudelaire and Victor Hugo
• Gertrude Käsebier, an American photographer, was known for her evocative portraits of women and children
• Edward Sheriff Curtis documented Native American tribes and created an extensive collection of portraits

Technological Advancements

• Introduction of the Kodak No. 1 camera (1888) made photography more accessible to the general public
  • Coined the slogan "You press the button, we do the rest"
• Gelatin dry plate process (1871) eliminated the need for on-site preparation of photographic plates
• Roll film (1884) allowed for multiple exposures on a single roll of film
  • Enabled the development of smaller, more portable cameras
• Flash powder (1887) and flash bulbs (1930s) improved indoor and low-light photography
• Introduction of color film (1935) expanded the creative possibilities of portrait photography
  • Kodachrome was the first commercially successful color film
• 35mm film (1934) became the standard format for professional and amateur photographers
• Digital cameras (1990s) revolutionized photography, allowing for instant review and easy sharing of images

Artistic Movements and Styles

• Pictorialism (late 19th-early 20th century) emphasized the artistic qualities of photography
  • Soft focus, atmospheric effects, and hand-manipulated prints were common techniques
• Modernism (early-mid 20th century) embraced sharp focus, high contrast, and unconventional compositions
  • Photographers like Edward Weston and Imogen Cunningham were key figures in this movement
• Documentary style portrayed subjects in their natural environments, capturing candid moments
  • Dorothea Lange's portraits from the Great Depression era exemplify this approach
• Environmental portraiture places subjects in settings that provide context and insight into their lives
• Surrealism influenced portrait photography, with artists like Man Ray creating dreamlike, abstract compositions
• Fashion photography emerged as a distinct genre, with photographers like Richard Avedon and Irving Penn setting new standards
• Conceptual portraiture uses symbolism, staging, and narrative to convey ideas and emotions

Famous Portraits and Their Impact

• "Migrant Mother" (1936) by Dorothea Lange became an iconic representation of the Great Depression
• "Afghan Girl" (1984) by Steve McCurry, featured on the cover of National Geographic, drew attention to the plight of refugees
• "Portrait of Winston Churchill" (1941) by Yousuf Karsh captured the defiant spirit of the British Prime Minister during World War II
• "Guerrillero Heroico" (1960), Alberto Korda's portrait of Che Guevara, became a symbol of revolution and counterculture
• "Identical Twins, Roselle, New Jersey" (1967) by Diane Arbus showcased her unique approach to portraying marginalized subjects
• "Fading Away" (1858) by Henry Peach Robinson was a groundbreaking composite photograph addressing themes of death and mourning
• "The Steerage" (1907) by Alfred Stieglitz, while not strictly a portrait, influenced the development of modernist photography

Cultural and Social Influences

• Portrait photography has been shaped by changing cultural norms, fashion trends, and social expectations
• Victorian era portraits often featured formal poses, elaborate studio setups, and symbolism reflecting social status
• The rise of celebrity culture in the early 20th century led to an increased demand for glamorous, idealized portraits
• Social documentary photography, such as the work of Lewis Hine, used portraits to raise awareness of social issues and advocate for change
• Family photographs served as a means of preserving memories and documenting personal histories
• Portraiture has been influenced by cultural aesthetics, such as the minimalist approach in Japanese photography or the vibrant colors of African studio portraiture
• The democratization of photography has allowed for diverse representation and self-expression through portraiture

Modern Approaches and Digital Era

• Digital technology has made portrait photography more accessible and versatile
  • Instant review, post-processing, and easy sharing have transformed the medium
• Social media platforms like Instagram have popularized selfies and casual, everyday portraiture
• Photomanipulation and compositing techniques have expanded creative possibilities in portrait photography
• Environmental and candid approaches continue to be popular, capturing authentic moments and emotions
• Collaborative projects and series explore identity, diversity, and social issues through portraiture
• Video portraiture has emerged as a new form of expression, combining still images with motion and sound
• AI and machine learning are being used to enhance and automate various aspects of portrait photography, from retouching to composition suggestions

Key Debates and Controversies

• The ethics of photomanipulation and retouching in portrait photography, particularly in fashion and advertising
• The role of consent and privacy in an age of widespread digital photography and social media sharing
• The representation and inclusion of diverse identities and communities in mainstream portrait photography
• The impact of digital technology on the perceived value and authenticity of photographic portraits
• The use of AI-generated portraits and the potential for deepfakes to mislead or deceive viewers
• The commodification of personal images and the exploitation of individuals' likenesses without compensation
• The blurring of lines between amateur and professional portrait photography in the digital era
• The preservation and archiving of digital photographic files for future generations