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Auguste Vacquerie - Auguste Vacquerie (Self-Portrait)
Auguste Vacquerie
Auguste Vacquerie (Self-Portrait)
$3,000
Geza Vandor - Fisheye Self Portrait with Twin Lens Camera and Christmas Bulb
Geza Vandor
Fisheye Self Portrait with Twin Lens Camera and Christmas Bulb
$1,200
Josef Vorisek - Portrait of Josef Sudek and Another on a Bridge
Josef Vorisek
Portrait of Josef Sudek and Another on a Bridge
$350
W. W. Weir - Portrait of James McKissack, FRPS, Photographer
W. W. Weir
Portrait of James McKissack, FRPS, Photographer
$300
Anonymous - Portrait of  Photographer with His Camera
Anonymous
Portrait of Photographer with His Camera
$500
Anonymous - Portrait of  Photographer with His Camera
Anonymous
Portrait of Photographer with His Camera
$500
By Alex Novak
Josef Vorisek - Portrait of Josef Sudek with Camera
Charles Negre, Self Portrait at 21 Quai Bourbon (His Studio)

It is much rarer to see images of photographers themselves, instead of their friends, family or acquaintances. Perhaps that reluctance stems from a self-consciousness that they felt more comfortable behind the lens instead of in front of it. Of course there were some notable exceptions: Nadar was notorious for his self promotion and many self portraits.

Most of these images were simply self portraits. Only a few were taken by other photographers. Again, the reluctance to be taken by others may be an exhibition of ego or just a shyness--and the portraits show both emotions readily. Some photographer sit for their portraits in pompous splendor or in retiring simplicity.

Photographer's portraits were made almost from the beginning. Hippolyte Bayard's bizarre joke of an image of himself as a suicide victim (because the French government had not recognized his pioneering efforts and had given pensions only to the Daguerre/Niepce team) was certainly an early and rather startling portrait of the artist.

In these examples from both the 19th and 20th century, you will find photographers who pose with their equipment, who are in the process of shooting themselves, who sit or stand stiffly for formal portraits, or who pose casually. Some, like Duc de Massa and Franck Chauvassagne, dress up in theatrical style. Others, like Margaret Cressman, shed their clothes completely.

But I find all of these images to be very revealing and shed an interesting spotlight on who these artists really were/are. Many are famous names and others are just minor footnotes in the history of photography, if known at all. But all show personality.

Portraits of Photographers: Shooting the Shootists
About This Exhibit
Image List

Exhibited and Sold By
Contemporary Works / Vintage Works, Ltd.

258 Inverness Circle
Chalfont, Pennsylvania   18914   USA

Contact Alex Novak and Marthe Smith

Email info@vintageworks.net

Phone +1-215-518-6962

Call for an Appointment

 

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