"American Girl" by William Mortensen

I`ve found some info on the web regarding the American photographer

William Mortensen, and it seems like he used only a couple of lights

for his portraits. What do you think of this one?

 

http://www.thescreamonline.com/photo/photo06-

01/mortensen/americangirl.html

 

His main light for this picture is close to the camera on his left.

Do you think he used just one light for this photograph? Well, he

must have used gobos and at least one reflector as well.

 

Ola

The link is not working, even if I account for the space between 06 and 2001.

Works for me:

</P><P>

<a href="http://www.thescreamonline.com/photo/photo06-01/mortensen/americangirl.html">

using this link</a>

</P><P>More Mortensen images <a href="http://www.thescreamonline.com/photo/photo06-01/mortensen/mortensen_images.html">

here</a>.

</P>

He was known for using serious negative retouching to accentuate highlights and shadows.

In his hayday Mortensen's teaching was far more influential than Ansel Adams'. He must have been highly respected in '30s Hollywood, but I don't think his "style" would cut it today.

one light just to the left of the camera (soft, probably an umbrella) on the model, and one light to the right facing the backdrop (not on the model), pulled a little farther back, so that the lighting on the backdrop is almost (but not quite) even.

I disagree with Bill to an extent. I think this look is more art than much of the photography I see these days. This look feels a lot closer to illustration and I think this is why it's sucessful. The truth in photography sometimes shortchanges the art. Sometimes it strangles the crap out of it too :)

 

I guess it depends on what you're doing with it, but for portraiture I find it very interesting.

 

Alan in Utah.

If you are really interested in Mortensen's lighting methods, check out his book "Pictorial Lighting", 1936. I have a copy on my sshelf at home and it is very interesting. Also, there was an article on Mortensen lighting in Phototechniques a few years ago. You can pick up a copy of his book for $10 at abebooks.com.

There is also a section in 'Edge of Darkness' by Barry Thornton devoted to the Mortensen look and how to achieve it.

 

CP Goerz

Thank you so much for your answers. Well, back to the photograph -

I think the main light is above lens axis. And the more I study the light/shade relationships, the more I think of it as a masterpiece.

 

Maury Cohen wrote: `He was known for using serious negative retouching to accentuate highlights and shadows.`

 

Maybe Mortensen used some of his negative retouching here as well...?

Ola

It`s a long time since "American Girl" by William Mortensen was

discussed here. But, someone who learned from Mortensen around

1956/57, told me M. used the `Contour Light` for this one, set up in reverse to the illustration in the book: PICTORIAL LIGHTING (light to the left of the camera). I have the 1947 edition of the book, that also includes this picture.

Former Mortensen student Robert Balcomb has an interesting blog for discussing all things

Mortensen and anything else you might want to delve into regarding portraiture, techniques,

photography as "Art."

http://robertbalcombphotoforum.wordpress.com

Mortensen did not retouch negatives. He retouched prints only. I was with him for six

months in 1956-57 and am very familiar with his processes and techniques.