NPG - Vanity Fair Exhibition

Jesse Owens by Lusha Nelson

1935

Lance Armstrong by Annie Leibovitz

1999

Q1: How does the subjects' body language, facial expression, gaze etc. influence the way we "read" their personality?
In both photographs, the body language of the celebrity clearly tells the viewer that he is an athlete. Although it is much easier to see that Lance Armstrong is a cyclist (due to the bike in the picture), it is still reasonably apparent in the photograph of Jesse Owens, that he is a sportsman. The photograph of Jesse Owens is slightly vague however, and it is hard to tell what sport he does. Although I could tell he was an athlete straight away, due to the position of the body, I thought he did discus or something similar, I actually had to look up that he did track and field.


Q2: Compare the photographic strategies for portraiture (technique, lighting etc) in the two eras of Vanity Fair.
The old Vanity Fair photograph of Jesse Owens looks like it is done in a studio, with studio lights and backdrop. It is very simple in its lighting and concept. The photograph of Lance Armstrong by Annie Leibovitz has a lot more set up, and taken to look like he is cycling outside in the rain. This helps add to the aesthetic effect of the photograph and contributes to the identity of him as a proffessional cyclist.

Q3: How does the photographer contribute to the construction of identity?
Both photographs captured their subjects nude (or with very little clothes), this helps add to the effect of the photograph and makes it more obvious that the subjects are athletes, as you can see the muscle and the human body. Both photographers captured their subjects in 'action' scenes, and adds movement and suggests sporting activities.


Q4: Is portraiture of "celebreties" truthful in any way, or is it just portraying the "character" or "mask" they inhabit?
Portraiture of celebreties is more often than not, not truthful in portraying their personality. As we don't know celebreties on a personal, or intimate level it is hard to know if a photograph is portraying the character or mask of a celebrety, or the actual personality. Often celebreties are photographed in a way the public view them, as singers, actors, sportsman etc. which is not the complete personality of the person, so therefore the photograph is just portraying the character of the celebrety.

Pictures taken from:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/09/armstrong200809

http://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibit/vanity/exhib12.html?pagenum=