The role of portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today
Firstly, Portraits and photographs have not changed significantly since the early days; although there are slight differences in the setting, lighting, pose, manipulation and the process of development they share similarities with the portraits and photographs of today. I have noticed in many of the older photographs and portraits especially the daguerreotype the lighting seems to be dark and the pose is generally to the left side also the subject is usually standing with a serious facial expression. However, nowadays people don’t have to see a photographer to get a picture done, the expense is less evasive then it was in the past with the invention of color photos we can now capture view photos as if we were there. Although there are some daguerreotypes photos were the photographer has tried to capture some sort of color. (Image ID 1994.91.58n Smithsonian American Art Museum)Secondly, the subjects of past photos and portraits, were mostly people of high social society and photographs were not available to the average Joe except for a few photographers such as Edward Anthony that was able to cut the price down to 25 cents .(Excerpt from A History of Photography by Lemagny and Rouille photography shooting the truth p. 35)Today society is a little different, although pictures now can show things in the background that may portray social status, as a whole photography and portraits have become more affordable and anyone can own a camera that has gross motor skills. Pictures no longer require a photographer or painter simple software can manipulate the picture to remove blemishes, teeth stains, glare, and even change a background to represent a place that you have never been before. In the end you have the choice of printing the result or bringing it to your local drug store to get it developed. photographs are now more convenient and you no longer have to worry about getting the first shot right.
In conclusion, portraits and photographs have not changed significantly since the early days but these slight differences in have allowed this type of art to evolve with us regardless of social status.
References
Agnolo Bronzino: Eleonora of Toledo and her Son Giovanni, oil on panel, 1.15×0.96 m, 1545 (Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi); photo credit: Scala/Art Resource, NY." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. 23 Sep. 2011 <http://www.oxfordartonline.com.rap.ocls.ca/subscriber/article/img/grove/art/F016120>.
"Adolphe Braun: Flower study, Rose of Sharon, albumen silver print from glass negative, 37.5 x 41.9 cm (14 3/4 x 16 1/2 in.), c. 1854 (New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Gilman Paper Company, in memory of Samuel J. Wagstaff Jr, 1987, Accession ID: 1987.1161); photo © The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/viewOne.asp?dep=19&viewmode=0&item=1987.1161." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. 23 Sep. 2011 <http://www.oxfordartonline.com.rap.ocls.ca/subscriber/article/img/grove/art/F019413>.
Picture of president"Bishop & Gray Studio: John Quincy Adams, 6th US President, daguerreotype, 83×70 mm, 1843 (Washington, DC, Natiional Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution); Photo credit: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution/Art Resource, NY." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. 23 Sep. 2011 <http://www.oxfordartonline.com.rap.ocls.ca/subscriber/article/img/grove/art/F015090>.
Jeremiah Gurney, born NY 1812-died Coxsackie, NY 1895
Medium daguerreotype with applied color (1/6 plate)Date ca. 1850
Topic Figure group\female and child
Ethnic\African-American
Occupation\domestic\nursemaid
Culture African Americans
Source Smithsonian American Art MuseumContained in Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Credit Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase from the Charles Isaacs Collection made possible in part by the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Image ID 1994.91.58
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