Steve Pyke

Steve Pyke

A photographer "fascinated by capturing the faces of our times. For almost thirty years, recording those who have made contribution to the history of our age"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfuAOCIaCs0

One element i've found which i personally think makes portraits more interesting to look at, is when there is a story behind the subject in the photograph, or when the person is famous.

Your opinion of the people in the images completely change when you know that all of these men are philosophers. Knowing the profession or any kind of detail like this about an individual in a portrait, in my opinion makes the image more interesting to look at and has the viewer spending longer looking and thinking much more about the image.
A small detail i like about these above images is the slight reflection on the  glasses of these two men. Im not quite sure what it is thats made me pick up on this small and probably unintentional detail.

The incredible detail of all of steve pykes images for me is what makes them so interesting to look at. However the emphasis on this intense detail wouldnt be possible without the dramatic contrast of black and white, and his clever use of lighting. Steve Pyke infact alsmost always uses natural lighting.












I personally feel that this heavy contrast of black and white is better suited and more appealing to myself when the background is of a dark shade, rather than bright white. If i were to try and produce close up detailed portraits like this of my own i would use a dark backdrop.
I cannot image how difficult it must be only using natural light in these shoots as it means you have much less control over your shoot. Steve Pyke manages this very well.
I think the variation of angles he has the subject sat at and directions in which their looking is another successful aspect of his shoots, as he some how manages to make the photographs of people looking down or away from the camera just as striking as those photographs in which people are looking into the camera.
Through my own practice in the studio I've found it is difficult to capture a really striking and interesting image if there is no contact between the camera and the eyes of the subject.