Photographer Five - Eric Lafforgue

I have chosen this photographer as I feel his work differs greatly to that from other photographers. This photographer not only captures the features of the model in his work but also there culture and race creating very diverse and interesting photographs.I also really like the continuity with the black background and dark lighting used throughout his work as I feel this allows the photograph to centre entirely around the model.

I think this is a very clever photograph as the head in it is almost floating due to the lighting being focused directly on the face of the model. This photograph has a very mystic and magical feel to it for this reason and because the face of the model is completely decorated with tribal face paints so none of the facial features of the model can actual be seen other than the eyes. The eyes are also placed centrally in the top third of the photograph so are the main focal point of the photograph. This however does not take away from the immense detail in the face paint that give the model a sort of devilish or evil appearance.

Once again the body and background of this photograph are not visible the emphasis and lighting is entirely on the face and head scarf of the model. This photograph gives the lady a very kind and gentle looking face and also once again shows her culture with the use of the red head scarf. Her eyes are once again in the top half of the photograph and are the main focal point of the photograph.

Once again Lafforgue chooses to focus mainly on the face of the model but maintains this idea of showing the culture and race of the model by showing the clothing of the bright read round the models neck and the head piece that can be seen. The eyes are once again the main focus of the photograph with them placed centrally in the top third of the photograph. I think this is a really effective photograph and portrays the model in a very positive light. 

Once again as in the first of Lafforgue's photographs he has used the tribal face paints which give the model an unfriendly and threatening appearance. The eyes remain the main focus point of the photograph and remain in the top half of the photograph. The lighting remains direct on the face of  the model so that only the face of the model can be seen.

I will take influence from this photographers use of the eyes as the main focal point and the way in which he chooses to portray culture throughout his work. I will also try using face paints in my work even if its not in a tribal way. I will also try to use the more direct lighting directing the audiences attention directly to the face of the model.

Overall from these four photographs it is clear how this photographers work uses the features within the image to illustrate the race and culture of the model with strong use of the eyes connecting each photograph. Red also seems to be a colour that features strongly throughout his work as well as the very direct lighting on the face of the model only showing the head or the head and shoulders. Throughout his work Lafforgue represents the women in a positive and friendly way whilst the men appear unfriendly and tribal. This could be his way of illustrating the difference in roles of gender in the world and these cultures.