1. What are the main differences and similarities between portraits in the early days of photography and portraits at present time?
In the early days, portraits had more meaning to people; they used to take a photographer taking a picture of them as a privilege. People would stand in line for a picture to be taken. Portraits would also give the person higher social status around their town, or country. Today, "Photography is now so much a part of our daily lives that our familiarity causes us to overlook it. One of its singular characteristics is its acceptance in every social class. " In comparison, the quality of photographs has improved over the century. In the earlier days photos were developed on silver plated copper, where as today the are developed computer.
Although there’s been many differences the overall meaning to a photograph will always remain the same. The similarities to portraits from the past to today are that they have the same meaning and importance. The art expresses a sense of emotion and relationship between the artist and the subject. Also, "The camera has become an instrument of major significance to our society. Its inherent ability to transcribe external reality gives it documentary validity-it is, seemingly, both accurate and unbiased." (Freund 3-5)
2. Who was the photographer and who was the subject of photographs in the past and present?
In the past and present the subject in the photo was the photo was the image, person or message the photographer was trying to convey in the photograph. The photographer would always use the subject as the main caption of his photograph.
3. What was the impact on technology on the portraits in the past and present?
The impact technology had on portraits is that that everything is being done digitally. All portraits are taken by digital cameras and developed by computer software such as Photoshop. In the past, cameras were wooden and didn’t have a flash for light eventually that had changed. "Photographs were developed using silver plated copper" (Daniel, Malcolm). So in the world of photography, technology plays a major part in the quality of cameras and the photographs it gives.
*the pictures i've taken are from www.flickr.com. The pictures are for you to see the development in cameras from the late 1800's - present.
References
1. Daniel, Malcolm. "Daguerre (1787–1851) and the Invention of Photography". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dagu/hd_dagu.htm (October 2004)
Source: Daguerre (1787–1851) and the Invention of Photography | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Source: Daguerre (1787–1851) and the Invention of Photography | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
3. Fruend, Gisele. "The Relationship Between Art and Society." Print
4. Rouille, Lemagny. "A History of Photography." 36-44. Print.
