Might portrait

Faces famous and not so famous people look to pure white, black or neutral background, lit only by the light directed from the top. The pictures look incredibly detailed, but at the same time not too intricate. This simple but effective staging would not look so fascinating, if not a smile or a silly grin or frown character, noted by photographer.







Although the most famous photos were taken Pletona close-up, also had success and some of his pictures, taken with a wide angle lens. For example, the picture below, which depicted classical pianist Lang Lang (Lang Lang). Shooting from the lowest point, and the position of the hands on the piano keys, makes the photo volume, and at the same time is not distracting.



However, most of the most recognizable images Pletona were taken with a telephoto lens with a zoom. These photographs, focusing attention on the face of the character, allows a different angle to look at this person, even if it turns out to be a famous person. For example, the portrait picture comedienne Tina Fey (Tina Fey).



This simple technique is obtained in good Pletona, since he was not interested sophisticated lighting designs or intricate staging used by other photographers. Instead, he was more interested in the personality, located in front of the lens, and the fact that he or she can show especially during fotoseansa. In the end, it turns out that most of the time Pleton focused on the interaction with its object, not the formulation of light.



As he mentioned in his video interview, action, purely devoted to photography, occupy only three percent of the time in his work, and the rest is dedicated to pull out the true identity of the photographed.



Currently Pleton is a staff photographer for «The New Yorker», even among his clients the number and other publications, including «Vanity Fair», «Rolling Stone», «Time» and «GQ». He also made a large number of promotional images for many well-known brands.



He earned great fame after Bill Clinton took for the magazine «Esquire». Some felt that this picture symbolically handed over the former president's scandalous past. In response Pleton said that it was just a coincidence and nothing more.



Then Pleton shot celebrities, musicians and politicians. At the moment, the most ambitious project of his is probably the project "Portraits of power." In September 2009, when the presidents, prime ministers and dictators from around the world gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly, Plato opened a temporary photo studio to capture the face of the most powerful men and women of the world.



As a result, a photograph, also fascinating as the person shown on them. Only the data of the individual images, these appear in a new light. Some of these works can be seen on the website of the magazine «New Yorker», with very interesting comments Pletona. If you have some time, take it out to look at these pictures and read the stories associated with them, they will not disappoint you. All images in this series can also be found in the recently published book "Power: Portraits of world leaders» (Power: Portraits of World Leaders).



Not all the Pletona always go smoothly. For example, for this portrait shot of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suk Yee (Aung San Suk Yi), made for the main article of the magazine «Time», the photographer recalls his ordeal associated with obtaining a few rolls of film with pictures of the symbol of democracy in Burma, recalled a film about spies. The very article you can read on the site «Time».



Even to make a portrait image of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who was named "Person of the Year" in the magazine «Time» in 2007, Pletonu had to endure the cold Russian winter, the harsh Russian security and many hours of uncertainty, to result in a a few minutes with the former Russian president, who had never participated in an official portrait photo shoot. However, the resulting picture more than rewarded him by winning the first prize at the international competition photojournalists World Press Photo in the category "Portraits" in 2007.



These pictures of celebrities and politicians produce a strong effect, since they do not glorify these characters the way they used to. Instead, Pleton deliberately rips the mask from celebrities to show their inner self. Such was his intention and in surveys for the project "Portraits of Power". Not surprisingly, the captive audience look at these pictures again and again.



Pleton also works with lesser-known themes. For example, in 2007 he made a series of photographs of Burmese refugees living in Thailand. Photographer shooting people, each of whom is somehow affected by the current Burmese regime. Pictured captured Steam Tau, a victim of a landmine explosion.



In 2008 Pleton made a series of shots of the US military, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the photo captured the son of Sergeant John McKay, a veteran of Iraq. In addition, the photographer worked on the topic of the American civil rights movement, and for the magazine «New Yorker».



Some criticize Pletona style as rather monotonous, but there is no doubt that every single picture taken them by itself attracts the eye. In addition, he is a great photographer, Pleton also a wonderful storyteller. You can verify this by reading an interview with him on his website.



via source