Customer Reviews

Timothy Greenfield-Sanders: Face to Face: Selected Portraits 1977-2005

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There must be-- I didn't actually count them-- at least 200 portraits in Timothy Greenfield-Sanders' FACE TO FACE: SELECTED PORTRAITS 19977-2005 with about an equal number in color and black and white. While he shot at least one of them (Andy Warhol) with a 35 mm camera, most of the photographs were taken with a large format camera. Most of the models sat on a simple stool, were simply lit with one lamp to imitate natural lighting, and there was no emphasis on what the artist in his interview with Ida Parlavecchio ("Truth and Illusion Are the Same") calls narration and reportage. The subjects usually look straight into the camera and are completely relaxed. The viewer has no idea, unless he recognizes a model, what the subject's profession is. They are all "talented" people: artists, poets, writers, musicians, opera singers, art historians, architects and, yes, four adult film models (XXX: 30 PORN STAR PORTRAITS) are included here as well.

In addition to the interview with the photographer, four other essays are included. While there is nothing essentially wrong with the articles-- and I read them all-- if any collection of photographs ever supported the cliche that one picture is worth a thousand words, this book will do it. You should certainly read the thoughful words of Mr. Greenfield-Sanders; then spend the rest of the time gazing at and admiring these portraits. When asked who was his favorite photographer, the artist said he only half-jokingly replied "Rembrandt. Certainly many of these fine works harken back to Rembrandt and the works of other portrait painters. There are no gimmicks here, no Diane Arbusesque tricks played on the subjects, no one photographed in an unpleasant, unkind manner.

Some of my favorite photographs-- although the list usually changes each time I revisit the book and I do not always know why I like them-- are Steven Spielberg (p. 201) because he looks so relaxed with just the hint of a smile; the writer Toni Morrison (p. 195), because she looks so naturally regal; the film director Mike Nichols (p. 139); the actress Kathleen Chalfont (p. 179) and Sarah Ferguson, (p. 78) who is simply labeled "British Royalty" and looks almost as regal as Ms. Morrison.

The book is impeccably printed and bound in Italy with the care that these photographs richly deserve.

"Face to Face" is a gorgeous collection of (mostly) color portaits of mainly artists and movie stars. Stylistically they are quite formal and traditional yet the minimalist neutral backdrop and the subdued/pensive look of the subjects gives the portraits a kind of modern quality.

A kind of a hybrid of the colorful portraits by Annie Liebowitz combined with the craft and precision of Yusef Karsh and the simplicity of portraits by Richard Avedon.

It is refreshing to see a photographer who does not need to resort to gimmicks to produce beautiful sober portraits.

This is a well done, highly informative, interesting and at time humorous DVD. The production is excellent, it is fast paced, does have a documentary drag feel...it is snappy.

Highly recommend this to photographers who aspire to produce highly quality nude photographs. Also people interested in how nude models and the photographer production team interact will be rewarded with a wonderful example of the craft at its best.

No doubt TGS is techniquely skilled. However, there is a dreadful sameness to all of the photos in this book. Everyone seems to be "recorded" in the same matter-of-fact manner. To my eyes, their personalities do not come through. Although it may seem otherwise, the subjects all seem to have essentially the same pose and expression. They may as well all be mannequins or wax models as these are not psychological portraits.