Arbus is one of my favorite photographers. I don't think of her as a photographer of "marginal people" and that wasn't my point. I'm talking about the style of her portraiture. In her portraits, people seem like they have been standing still for a few seconds. They have gone beyond those first few seconds when they are completely composed for the camera, and they are just starting to reveal some strain. This is the "awkwardness" I was referring to. In this awkwardness, we see something real, something beyond a typical portrait. It's almost like the photographer is staring too long at her subject.
or if you want the short answer, she's not smiling. lol. I love that.
got a 7 from me. |
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