Contemporary Portraiture

The first thing I noticed about this image of actress Angelina Jolie was that it was shot in black and white which makes it moody and sensual. It made me focus on the tone of the image rather than the colour which made the image more dramatic. I also noticed the very casual and loose style of her clothing, hair and her pose. The make up is minimalistic but sexy and incorporates her iconic winged eyeliner. She looks very effortless but perhaps shy within the image which could be due to the fact that her eyes are not engaging with the audience. They are cast down to one side which almost makes her look like she is hiding something. This is a sexy image of Angelina Jolie and I think she is seen to be more of her true self rather than a promotional tool. This image is more about a feeling. In an article where this image is featured, it says how she struggles with her wild tough girl persona and her 'sex bomb' status so portraits are difficult for her. She has previously admitted that she thinks that the true sense of portraiture is lost as none of the images are of the real people. They play 'dress up'. The tattoos that are on show all have a reference to her children and other loved ones. The one on her back is a Buddhist Pali Incantation written in Khmer, which she got in Bangkok after adopting her first son Maddox and she believes it will protect them both. The one on her arm is the geographical co-ordinates of where her children were born. Since this photograph was taken she has had more children and therefore has added more co ordinates to the list. I think that this image symbolises that no matter how professional she is, her family is of utmost importance to her and she is not afraid to display it. The element of the image that makes it feel real to me is the fly away hairs that have been caused by her hand running through her hair. This also makes it more realistic because alternatively it could have been caused by the wind which adds movement and depth. The angle the image is taken at is looking down on Angelina which makes it more interesting and mysterious. I think this image is very beautiful. I find its simplicity and effortlessness powerful but also empowering.

Sources: http://joliepittpress.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/vogue-january-2007/

Angelina Jolie Vogue January 2007
http://actressnaps.wordpress.com/2014/05/07/hot-angelina-jolie-photoshoot/