Power Balance in Portraiture

Power balance always needs to be considered by a photographer when taking a photograph and portrait photographs in particular. Susan Bright talks about this power balance in the book "Art Photography Now".

She mentions the powerful encounter that exists between artist, sitter and spectator, there is a triangle that forms especially with portraiture. A portrait is important in providing the spectator with clues of someone's character and identity. The viewers creates a further meaning into what was intended by the photographer. The photographer wants to create an insight into the persons character, but doing this entirely is almost impossible because of the different interpretations different people will have. Identity can be changed in an instant. 

Rebecca