Sean Connery Photographer unknown
"You've heard the saying, 'Men take the light'?" my portrait photography instructor asked.
We all looked confused. He then smiled and showed a few glamor photos of male and female models and celebrities.
Danny GloverPhotographer unknown
Paul NewmanPhotographer unknown
Paul NewmanPhotographer unknown
Robert RedfordPhotographer unknown
Marilyn MonroePhoto by Richard Avedon
Marilyn MonroePhoto by Richard Avedon
Men can take the light.
Men are allowed to age and show wisdom and sexiness through their aged faces. When you looked into Paul Newman's eye, you saw a handsome man, no matter how old or how wrinkled he was. The shadows just accentuated his manliness. The same goes for Robert Redford, George Clooney, Denzel Washington, and many other handsome men.
Brad PittPhotographer unknown
Women are not allowed to show their age. Glamor photographers use softening techniques like light diffusers, softening lenses, editing changes, and other tricks to make the women look younger. I have never erased wrinkles, although I have hidden pimples and razor burn a few times. Through all this trickery, we get a silly ideal that all beautiful women look 22 and have absolutely perfect skin. Sadly then, so many women go under the knife and then inject botulism into their faces to keep their youth.
Robert RedfordPhotographer unknown
Helen MirrenPhotographer Unknown
Angelina JoliePhotographer unknown
Maybe I should be comforted that I know many beautiful older women who are not shunned by celebrity and live among us common folk. They look beautiful whether in soft or harsh light. Sadly popular culture does not see it.
Monica BellucciPhotographer unknown
Monica BellucciPhotographer unknown
I understand we all want to look good for our portraits. I don't like photos of myself because I've found few people take good ones. Maybe this is the reason I don't like doing formal portrait photography. I love creating honest beauty from the person. Unfortunately, it all goes back to what a female photography instructor said to us, "It is easy to get a pleasing picture of a cute young woman."
So, in this age of celebrity and youth obsession, remember this... "men take the light."
Angelina JoliePhotographer unknown
Please also take a moment and look at the quality of lighting for all these photos.
Halle BerryPhotographer unknown
Helen MirrenPhotographer unknown and probably is paparazzi, but Helen looks stunning.
I wonder how much of this phenomenon grows from men's expectations. A lot of guys want women only for their bodies and what they supposedly can do for them; they don't want character in a woman. I'm different because I've always appreciated women of strong character, probably because my mother and elder sisters were and are such women.
ReplyDeleteNow, those Helen Mirren pics show her character lines, and to me that only adds to her beauty and attractiveness. But I wonder how many guys only see the wrinkles and scorn her as too much of an individual for them... And of course they'd never admit this. *lol*
I adore Helen Mirren. She was incredible in "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" in a nude scene a couple years ago. Charlotte Rampling does a nude scene in the French film "Swimming Pool." Another gorgeous 60-something.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this lovely post. It is true - men are allowed to look old and celebrate a lifetime of character. It will be interesting to see the pictures from my shoot on Friday. The photographer used only available light - nothing else - and he doesn't photoshop.
I enjoyed your gallery of pictures here and the commentary. I am half asleep but it was worth propping my eyes open to read you tonight.