Documentary: Art of Portrait Photography

"The Art of Portrait Photography" by PBSoffbook

A well-composed portrait is the height of art. It can capture depths of meaning and evoke deep wells of emotion that transcend most any other type of subject. This installment of OffBook examines portrait photography through a discussion of its history and an examination of several recent modern projects.

"Humans have been creating likenesses of each other for thousands of years, but with the introduction of photography, a new language developed for capturing the human image. Photography created opportunities for not just for biography and documentation, but also depth, empathy, and experimentation. Many portrait photographers today elevate their work from mere photo to art, communicating ideas and capturing the human subject with dignity, all while exploring the meaning and potential of portraiture."

Photographs by Ethan Levitas (in order of appearance)

1) Kelli O'Hara for The New Yorker
2) Dr. Mehmet OZ for The New Yorker
3) Jane Alexander for The New Yorker
4) Sheila Heti for The New Yorker
5) Bon Iver for The New Yorker
6) Takashi Murakami for The New Yorker
7) Hani Furstenberg for The New Yorker
8) Cai Guo-Qiang for The New Yorker
9) Seth Numrich for The New Yorker
10) Greg Ousley for The New York Times Magazine
11) "Past Perfect #3", series from series, 1997
12) Cat Power/Chan Marshall for The New Yorker
13) "Group/Portrait #33," Japan, from series, 1999
14) Nikolaj Hubbe for The New Yorker
15) Fiona Shaw for The New Yorker
16) Capt. Sam Brown for GQ Magazine
17) Ethan Hawke and Gordon Clapp for The New Yorker
18) Tristan Sturrock and Hannah Yelland for The New Yorker
19) Animal Collective for The New Yorker
20) Rudresh Mahanthappa for The New Yorker
21) Carol Bove for The New Yorker
22) Greg Ousley for The New York Times Magazine

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