Alec Soth...

http://chichesterportraitphotographer.co.uk/blog/

I really like the work of Alec Soth. When I compare Alec Soth to the work James Natcheway, Sebastio Selgado, and Timothy O'Sullivan produce I Find his work much more appealing to me. Not because I don't like the work the others have produced but because the work I do and am interested in seems to coincide with his style in composition. Although this is not a portrait by Alec Soth, but by Tobias Key who was inspired by him. I certainly see the inspiration. The subject is a pink hatted female staring directly into the camera. The depth of field is shallow, so the background is blurred. It's possible that the woman is on a beach. The vintage look is achieved I feel. With soft colors complimenting her skin tone and the blue beach contrasting her pink hat. I think this was well thought out and well executed. I would be happy to have something like this in a portfolio. The subjects posture is in mind but I don't sense any stress. There isn't much tension in the photograph. Her eyes seem to be one third of the way from the top and the water line seems to be one third of the way from the bottom. The background being blurred balances the frontal scene as if interwoven in complimentary pieces. This photograph  definitely helps me become a better photographer, when I see photos I like I absorb everything in it so I can imply the same techniques in my own pursuit in photography.