Environmental Portraits

[Ken Lee]

I confess, this one was made with a 1950's hand-held 6x9 Agfa Record folding camera, but perhaps it's time for a special category of portraits: those made outdoors, in the "environment".


http://www.kenleegallery.com/images/forum/img326.jpg
Ogunquit, Maine, USA
105mm Agfa Apotar lens, TMY, Pyrocat MC

[Vaughn]

I am engaged in a longterm project of photographing my boys in the environment. primarily I use an 8x10 and make platinum/palladium prints.

This is one of the first I took, tho not in the natural environment. This is a non-working steam engine in Scotia, CA.

8x10 w/300mm
X-ray film (processed at hospital)
Scanned carbon print

If anyone is interested in seeing more, images at...

http://bostick-sullivan.invisionzone.com/index.php?automodule=gallery&req=si&img=102

Vaughn

[arkady n.]

My understanding of the term "Environmental Portrait" was not a photo of a person taken outside, but rather a photo a person where the surrounding environment tells the viewers something about this person. Usually, but not necessary, it is at his/her place of work. A welder in his welding mask, a painter in front of his easel, a photographer with his camera, etc.

On a more advanced level, environmental portraits can be taken in a physical location that has little to do with the sitter's profession, but they still convey certain meaning that the photographer wanted to convey.

[raucousimages]

An Enviromental Portrait is one taken in the subjects personal enviroment. A portrait of a welder in his shop tells more about the person than just a shot in a generic studio setting. A portrait taken outdoors is an outdoor portrait. It may also be an enviromental portrait depending on the subject and setting.

[Vaughn]

True, but me and the boys spend a lot of time in the woods, etc and my portraits of them in the environment are created with the idea of expressing the characters of my boys in relationship to their outside environment...and to each other. My boys are triplets, so that interpersonal relationship is a bit different and fun to explore photographically.

Vaughn

ps...written in responce to arkady (it just took awhile to finally post it.)

[Ken Lee]

"An Enviromental Portrait is one taken in the subject's personal environment".

Thanks for the clarification - Much obliged !

[BradS]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/154846345_c943642c47_o.jpg
Popcorn Maker.
Pleasanton Farmer's Market.

[shmoo]

"An Enviromental Portrait is one taken in the subject's personal environment".

Thanks for the clarification - Much obliged !

On the other hand, your portrait of "retirees" on a bench would qualify in my book!
:)

[venchka]

Three of the guys who build the things I design...

http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/95965-3/FH000024-4-4.jpg


http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/78134-3/Helmet+Flames-2.jpg


http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/75131-3/Derrik+Grinding.jpg


Thanks for looking.

[Brian_A]

Wayne,

My dad is a welder, so that is a familiar sight for me... Great stuff!

-Brian

[venchka]

Thanks, Brian. It's a treat for me to be able to get "up close and personal". Working on the inside affords me opportunites the average person wouldn't have.

[Ken Lee]

Here's a genuine environmental portrait, since the lady is a breeder of English Cocker Spaniels, and the photo was made at the kennel.


http://www.kenleegallery.com/images/forum/sddogs.jpg
Susan with Puppies
Arca Swiss Discovery, 150mm APO Sironar-S
4x5 Kodak TMAX 100, D-76

[Joe Smigiel]

FWIW, I've never thought that a photograph of a person actively working is anything more than a record of an activity or something more abstract. In my view, an environmental portrait might have the person in the work space and with the tools of the trade, but the image is about them personally, not generic, and not secondary to the activity. Indoors, outdoors doesn't matter.

[venchka]

Joe,

Fair enough. I'll try to get the guys with their hoods up as well as working. Thanks for the idea.

[Dave Wooten]

Nice one Lee! Will those dogs hunt?!

[jnantz]

...

[Ken Lee]

Will those dogs hunt?

English Cocker Spaniels (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/englishcocker.htm) are definitely hunting dogs, if you train them.

They are just small Spaniels, bred short, to flush out and retrieve wood cocks and other fowl from the brush in England. Hence the name "cocker".

[domenico Foschi]

Here's a genuine environmental portrait, since the lady is a breeder of English Cocker Spaniels, and the photo was made at the kennel.


http://www.kenleegallery.com/images/forum/sddogs.jpg
Susan with Puppies
Arca Swiss Discovery, 150mm APO Sironar-S
4x5 Kodak TMAX 100, D-76

Mhmm, that's good.

[Dave Wooten]

Beautiful pups, my first pet was an English cocker spaniel

[jnantz]

baitshop

[Brian_A]

...

Wonderful shot.

-Brian

[Jim Galli]

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/Skiles/AdamSkilesForgeGundlach_1.jpg
Adam Skiles, metal sculptist

Taken at the Cambpell foundry in Tonopah. The lifesize sculpture he was working on is now on display on Main St. in Tonopah. Sadly, Adam couldn't make a living at this and has since taken a job with the culinary union.

Taken with a Gundlach 18" portrait meniscus f6, 8X10 Kodak.

[jnantz]

Wonderful shot.

-Brian

hi brian

thanks!

john

[D. Bryant]

Thanks, Brian. It's a treat for me to be able to get "up close and personal". Working on the inside affords me opportunites the average person wouldn't have.
Especially if you are using a large format Leica!:D

[venchka]

Right on! I need to get out in the shop with the Leica Speed Graphic.