Joel Peter Witkin

The work of Joel Peter Witkin is one of the most unique photographs ever produced. All these portraits deal with taboo subjects and people. Most of the time the contrast is high. There is a variety of pictures; in terms of composition some are simple with blank background and some are with a busy background and what makes the images interesting is the unity and continuity between the background and the subject. The images are really graphic. In terms of lighting some have harsh lighting and some have soft lighting. Usually subjects are centered. These photographs are chaotically organized. All images have hand movements or at least emphasize the area around the hand.

Edward Weston

In these 3 pictures we witness a lot of simplicity where the background is basically neutral and the focus is on the main subject. What makes the image stronger is the look on the subject's faces where their eyes meet the lense; it is an honest look. This simplicity creates some sort of cold feeling, it has a sense of sadness. The lighting used is soft and diffused. All the subjects are centered which creates a balance with the simplicity of the composition.

Edward Steichen

Edward Steichen: is a portrait photographer. He is really elegant in his photographs and concentrates a lot on shadows and shapes.

I love the shapes used in this image and the softness of its shadows and lighting. The relation between the position of the hand and face with the top of the piano is beautiful. It is a very soft and elegant picture.

This is an image of Charlie Chaplin. It is very elegant yet simple which really shows the personality and character of this amazing artist. The lighting is very soft and with the shadow behind it looks like a spot light.

I love the shadows in this picture and the repetition of different stripes such as the black and white on the stairs that are triangular more than stripes, the bars of the handle and the plant next to the subject. The expression on the face, the soft lighting, the shadows and the position of the body gives me the creeps in a way. This women doesn't look happy yet not sad, it is a neutral facial expression that leaves me to interpret the situation. The composition and the unity overall between the stairs, shadows and the wall where she leans is beautiful and perfect.

Diane Arbus

Diane Arbus: is a documentary/portrait photographer. She takes pictures of people in their own environment. She has a really unique style which is kind of chaotic and perverse yet pleasant and attractive to our eyes.

This image is really strong and straight forward. The lighting is very harsh and probably from camera location. It is a simple compositon yet messy the way everything is placed. It is honest cause it shows the personality of the person or his profession.
The contrast is very high in this image. I like the tight framing, you get to se everything that is needed for us to see and it explains a lot about the person in the image. It is very honest and strong. It has a very warm and dark mood.
I like the unity and similarity in this image and the composition is very nice especially the background where the wall and the floor are not straight which creates a balance in the image. Also the different reactions on the girls faces makes the image more appealing.