Smile

I came across this quote posted on the A Photo Editor blog, I like it a lot and it's something I've always tried to explain to people why I don't like them to smile in their portraits:

"The truth is no portrait of substance has people smiling. Look at the history of painting, Rembrandt, Titian, Goya, Velasquez, Sargent, Vermeer, DaVinci, etc., the subjects gaze to the viewer is neutral at best, neither inviting nor forbidding. It is there for the viewer to see and feel. Smiling is like much of American popular culture, superficial and misleading. It is part of our vernacular, but it should be expunged in photographs." - Rodney Smith

Below is are a couple of portraits of Tony Arcabascio I took for T-world

 

 

Studio Visit - Horiren - Japan

The evening and ensuing night I spent with Horiren along with Gomineko Tours while in Tokyo have given me an incredible insight into tattooing in Japan and a huge appreciation of Horiren and her talent. Horiren has an amazing story, check out her website here.

Horiyoshi lll

While in Japan I had the opportunity to go along with Gomineko Tours to Horiyoshi III studio in Yokohama and watch the master at work. It was amazing to meet such an esteemed artist and an experience I'll never forget!

NEXT: THE FUTURE OF T-SHIRT GRAPHICS

Over the next 5 weeks I have 40+ portraits on display as part of NEXT: The Future of T-Shirt Graphics which is part of OUTPOST - Art from the Streets being held on Cockatoo Island in Sydney.
http://outpost.cockatooisland.gov.au/
Each portrait is printed over 2 meters high and is a selection of some of the most important people in street wear today.
Below are some images from the exhibition. The portraits can be found on my website as well.