Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz creates photos that border along the lines of paintings. Her use of light and drama create a new world and a new sense of fantasy.

(image source: http://www.trbimg.com/img-502000e5/turbine/orl-disneyanniepics-pg-003/600) Leibovitz created a series of portraits for Disney; the photo above is of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. What I like about the photo is that the minimal light illuminates the prime areas, such as his face. The light also highlights the details within his attire without drowning out the image. The addition of the crashing, violent waves surrounding the character shows a realistic scene. The colors used in the costume are all similar, muted colors with the exception of the bandana. The bright color directs the viewer's eyes to the recognizable face, which in turn indicates that this is a promo for Disney. The one thing that did bother me a bit was the background. The whole theme of this particular photograph is supposed to be a storm. The sepia toned background doesn't indicate whether or not that the storm is happening or ending. The emotion and the stance of the character doesn't really match with the background. It's almost as though the character is oblivious to what's going on. The cropping of what seems to be the "ship" is a bit awkward; from the angle in which the photographer shot it looks like a plank with lines.

(image source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ij2gOrn2ICG7v5Cl_n0RBY0MSwUM8E-Mnfo5cK4XCGJX3JQnrwzGeKq-2W7s2Pd04eEvpNhNFYsOVYCSwJmrGvE6666mWWygTXKXd8Oei0fq7jNLhqNwD8FA50NZ2nJtOJPwE3dmyVo/s1600/annie_leibovitz700_33742b.jpg) This image is of Nicole Kidman on a stage. The mass lighting creates a gorgeous background in this old theater. The way the light accents her dress makes it look as though she is floating on a cloud. Although Leibovitz mostly shoots celebrity portraits, the way she tilts Kidman's face plays upon the idea that the model doesn't need to be identified, just look at the image. It's like she is trying to say that she doesn't want the photo to be praised because she shot this fantastic image of Kidman, but for the fact that she shot this beautiful image. The only critique that I can point out about this photo is the unnecessary background "noise". The behind the scenes stage doors and curtains are a bit distracting to the image. The bare walls and the open doors take away from the classiness of the image. It turns the image into a journalistic shot instead of a portrait. If the image was cropped down to where the only thing in the background was the lighting and the empty seats, it would produce an even better image.

(images source: http://www.anglonautes.com/voc_pol_main/voc_pol_uk_monarchy_1/voc_king_pic_elizabeth_2_white.jpg) The final image is of Queen Elizabeth take in 2007. She was the first American photographer to be commissioned by the Queen to take a series of portraits. The portrait is well light and have a narrative attached. The commissioned work was to show "a day in the life of Queen Elizabeth", but it shows the Queen taking a typical monarch photo with a slightly more relaxed setting. I wouldn't say that this is so much of a critique, but more of a generalization; the lighting that Leibovitz uses in the image sets a foreboding feeling. Coming through the window shines a slightly overcast sun, illuminating one half of her body. The other half is fading into the room, as though she is blending in. The narrative that is attached could be the acknowledgement that her personal reign is slowly coming to an end, and it is beautifully represented.
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