Environmental Portraits

In environmental portrait photography I approach the term a bit more loosely than the straight-forward approach made by traditional portraitists. I like to think of the portrait as portraying qualities that make the individual unique, show the character within the human, the traits that quantify the subjects individuality.

Some of these example images are more about the environment than about any given individual. However, you’ll notice how each of these images simplify the scene before the camera by illuminating one and sometimes four people living their lives, performing their tasks. The essence of these examples still lies in the character, but rather than making the images about “them,” these images are about “us,” the human race. The above examples are portraits of mankind.

In contrast to the unknown photographer’s images featured above, is the work of August Sanders. Sanders sought to capture the character and spirit of Germany through a sociological “arc.” Starting with peasants, ascending through students, professional artists, and statesmen, then descending through urban laborers and the unemployed.

This series is shot more straight on, assuming the more traditional approach to portrait photography. In this approach Sanders asked that his subjects dress in the clothing that best represented their social and cultural dimensions. He then photographed them in and among their environment.

~ John