Gerard Blair  


Angst by Gerard Blair

November 2024 - Angst

About the Image(s)

I saw a portrait/painting (that I cannot now find) where the subject held his hands with this gesture and I wanted to reproduce it. The background is messy but I hoped the disarray would serve as a metaphor for the mental state of the subject.

Obviously I have been watching too much News

f/11.0 1/500 ISO 320
Canon EOS 6D Mark II - TAMRON SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD
Photoshop and Nik Silver



This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




Robin Mellor   Robin Mellor
I really like this, a lot. Even where there is shadow the eyes and skin have detail. It's not quite as desperate as Munch's 'Scream' but close. The confused background creases add to it all, and the arm from the bottom left guides us to a disbelieving eye. I think we all feel a bit like this after the news.   Posted: 11/11/2024 10:04:22
Gerard Blair   Gerard Blair
Thanks for the idea: I think I will retitle this in future as: The Wail
  Posted: 11/11/2024 18:58:26



Peter Elliston   Peter Elliston
Gerard, it's always a brave thing to do when a photographer goes for a'selfie' but of course that word does the image little justice. I like the idea behind this and the way you have composed and framed the despair. The background creases are OK but I could do without the 'v'-shaped lines top right and the shirt cuff on the left draws the eye. The other thing is that I think the image is far too bright if you are trying to suggest this kind of emotion but otherwise the metaphor is pretty apt for some current affairs!   Posted: 11/12/2024 16:27:14



Barbara Asacker   Barbara Asacker
Nice job capturing a self portrait, Gerard. Tension and unrest jumps out of the frame. You created it well. I like the light and shadows on your face. It's artsy and well done. I would darken the upper left corner of the frame a bit.   Posted: 11/12/2024 16:43:45



Kathleen McCrary   Kathleen McCrary
Gerard--For some reason I can only see the thumbnail; the larger image is just a white rectangle. Looking at the thumbnail I can see a very dynamic image of a man (if this is a self portrait I think you are very brave) which includes very expressive hands. I like this a lot because the man seems trapped within the frame which is an interesting narrative.   Posted: 11/16/2024 17:16:34
Gerard Blair   Gerard Blair
Bah! you think that is brave? You should see me in the shower!
http://gerardthegood.com/portraits/   Posted: 11/16/2024 19:29:04



John Larson   John Larson
I like the idea of the self portrait and the look of angst. To me, the portrait needs more separation from the background.   Posted: 11/17/2024 23:14:57