New York: E. 10th Street and Avenue A
Inspiration: As some of you know, I've been taking classes at ICP. My homework for the week is to take portraits of at least five people. Since some of the best portraiture results from a collaboration between the photographer and the person being photographed, my professor challenged the class to avoid candids and to interact with the subject of the photo - even if all we are doing is making eye contact.
When I went home after class, I begged Mr. PhotoD to pose for me. He obliged; however, he's prohibited me from posting them for you to see. I plan to take some of BFF this week, which I'll post as she doesn't mind being in the blog. As for the next three people? That's right. People I don't know.
On Sunday, instead of going to my usual haunts, I walked to the East Village. All the way to Alphabet City. After a few hours of hoofing around the area without finding my muse, I began to think that my foray into a new 'hood wasn't such a great idea. Giving up on the Village, I turned down 10th Street from Avenue A to head up to Union Square (my favorite spot). It is often in the moment one gives up one idea and embraces another that something interesting happens. This gorgeous woman walked past me. And in the same moment, my little lost but suddenly found muse landed on my shoulder and gave me the voice to stop her for a portrait.
Now I must decide whether to include a black and white photo or a color photo from this series in my portfolio. What do you think?
P.S. I just learned that she is Kemp Muhl, a musician, model and girlfriend of Sean Lennon. You can listen to some of her music here.
I like her smooth colours.. so first I was about to say definitely the coloured one. But now I looked at them both contemporarly and the black and white one has this look in her eyes, which is so much more intense.. A tough choice. Anyway listen what the voice inside of you says, I think you already know the answer!
Posted by: merilin | May 10, 2010 at 01:49 AM
This is a tough call! The first image on this post is absolutely stunning... I like it in B7W... the other 2 i like in colour but they look more like street style "sartorialist" style photos... I guess it just depends what you are after... The BW ones are def more nostalgic and dreamy..
Posted by: Liya | May 10, 2010 at 02:07 AM
p.s. this girl is stunning and i hope you got her number so you can get her to pose again because she knows how to work the camera :)
Posted by: Liya | May 10, 2010 at 02:08 AM
Wow, I'm so shy to ask strangers if I can take a picture of them. I know I just have to get over my cowardness.
I say definitely the b&w, yes the coloured photo is very beautiful, but than again, all I see is a pretty girl standing in front of a pretty building.
The b&w is more "you" (I think..), it forces me to look deeper so I read more emotion in her face. That's my opinion, excelent job btw.. she's stunning.
Posted by: Biana | May 10, 2010 at 02:22 AM
I love black and white photo.
Her eyes and clothing(inner) and fence is black.
It's strong&beautiful&modern image to me.
And,1st color photo is so beautiful.(Especially, her skin)
That's entirely up to you.Because your all photo is so great.
Posted by: Lady M | May 10, 2010 at 02:28 AM
Me too, I always had a preference for the black and white,
even if colors are sublime .
I find that there is more intensity in black and white photos,
I find theme more striking,
because the shades and the light are more present .
It's just my opinion ...
I agree with Lady M .
Beautiful photos .
Posted by: C. | May 10, 2010 at 04:19 AM
haha, I didn't realize her leggings have cirles until I looked at the color shots. Her T-Shirt is really cool.
As always I love your shots. I'd say single out one picture and take it as b&w AND color shot in your portfolio. The impression of her in b&w and color is totally different. She looks younger in color.
Posted by: San | May 10, 2010 at 05:16 AM
1. first pic as b&w
2.and 3. in colours...i'd prefer..anyway they're all great!
Posted by: Fatih Gokmen | May 10, 2010 at 07:00 AM
Good luck on your assignment! I prefer Black and white photo's. They give more mystery and power to your photographs.
Posted by: precilla | May 10, 2010 at 07:07 AM
First and foremost, did you get this girl's contacts? She would make a great muse. The camera loves her.
Secondly, I think inside you already know the answer. In my opinion, I prefer the b/w.
The color version is great but it's become too common. Go to any street-style blog and you can find some thing similar.
The b/w has that old school feel about it like it was shot in the 70's using film and the photographer's instincts. Classic.
Posted by: The Nyanzi Report | May 10, 2010 at 07:32 AM
Amazing images...Great outfit!!!
Posted by: thestreetfashion5xpro | May 10, 2010 at 08:22 AM
you have got great eye. i love looking at your portraits. in your pictures you bring out the best in people.
you are such a talent !
Posted by: Isabella | May 10, 2010 at 08:49 AM
B/W definitely! Pics number 1 & 2 are amazing, and her tshirt rocks!
Posted by: nick | May 10, 2010 at 09:22 AM
Gorgeous shots. For me, as usual, B&W is always far more compelling. When the colour is retracted from her, one can almost ignore the calendar year (forget the earphones for a sec...ha) especially in the first shot.
Aaaaand, I want her boots.
Posted by: Nadine2point0.blogspot.com | May 10, 2010 at 09:29 AM
These are great in BW, but I still vote for color. The full body shot is especially apt in color. The colors of her outfit and the environment seem to serendipitously match. But the close-up of her face is powerful no matter which medium you're using.
Posted by: Citizen Rosebud | May 10, 2010 at 11:06 AM
she looks great! very natural. and well dressed.
For your portfolio I would go for the colour version though....?
Posted by: Eveline | May 10, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Great photos...she's got style.
www.torontoverve.org
Posted by: TorontoVerve | May 10, 2010 at 12:46 PM
J'adore!!
Posted by: Marquis de Lannes | May 10, 2010 at 02:42 PM
You found one great muse...wow. The first image is the money shot.
Definitely go with black and white!
Posted by: Solange | May 10, 2010 at 04:14 PM
Ha! Having just left along comment voting for the colour.. I'm having my own personal Hung Parliament moment! I think I'm voting for the black and white, too.
You can't submit both I assume?
Posted by: jill | May 10, 2010 at 04:18 PM
Definitely black and white, photo 1. Talk about eye contact. Now I really am curious about your professor's shot!
Posted by: minor keys | May 10, 2010 at 06:58 PM
Wow, you are good man! You should teach the classes though not go to them!
Posted by: cristi | May 11, 2010 at 01:19 AM
I like the black and white for this one...second one down.
Posted by: Don | May 11, 2010 at 01:54 AM
What a beauty - my vote is black and white. Just really takes away from all the distraction of colour and setting, and focuses on far more important features such as her owl eyes, or her increadible lips. Beautiful work. Also, her outfit just works so well in monochrome (with the stripes and block colours) that there's really no need for any hues.
Posted by: Vanitography Vienna | May 11, 2010 at 10:14 AM
WOW YOU GOT CHARLOTTE KEMP! hah thats awesome, she is such a beauty. i wish i had the guts to approach people with my camera, i automatically think about the worst case scenario and back out. hmmm think its time i man up.
thanks for stopping by my new blog, found right now its just easier for me to post pictures along with my own work by keeping it as simple as possible, hope you follow.
Posted by: jack bespoke | May 11, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Beautiful shots! Striking model.
Posted by: Peter Breese | May 11, 2010 at 12:43 PM
She's beautiful. I think i like the color ones better, although this is hard to tell, the photos are gorgeous and so is the model... good find... is she a friend of yours now?
Posted by: Carole | May 11, 2010 at 10:44 PM
OMG I can't believe you got to photograph her - I recognized her IMMEDIATELY. She's so incredibly beautiful, and you captured such a quirky and girly side of her. I prefer the B&W to the color for the reasons listed above.
Her sense of style is amazing!
Posted by: Catherine | May 11, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Girl,
I'm taking classes at ICP too this summer! I bet I see you in the darkroom and don't even know it. I literally am in the darkroom for hours on end!!!
These photos are gorgeous, as usual!!! love your homework assignments!!!!
xoxo
Posted by: shae acopian detar | May 14, 2010 at 02:31 PM
GREAT portrait - especially in B&W
Posted by: Gustav Liliequist | May 14, 2010 at 09:05 PM
all the portraits are greats, but definitively, I prefer in colors!
Posted by: sofiasophie | May 16, 2010 at 03:32 PM
I think i prefer the b&w version... her beauty deserves to be seen without the distraction of colors.
Posted by: Danny | May 27, 2010 at 05:56 AM
This girl is gorgeous. I always want to go up to people and ask to take their picture but i always chicken out. Have people ever been like, "No thanks, go away!!" or something? Maybe I just need to grow a pair and get over it haha. After all they are just people like me..and because your pictures inspire me to take more portraits! <3
xo, camilla
abutterflybyday.blogspot.com
Posted by: val n cami | May 27, 2010 at 07:10 PM
So far, Camilla, pretty much everyone I've asked has agreed. I really don't think that anyone would say "go away". But I have thick skin, so if they did, I would just smile and move on. No big deal. You should try. You are so skilled with a camera that it would be fun to see your portraits.
Posted by: The Photodiarist | May 27, 2010 at 10:42 PM