Rongnongno Loc: FL

No, they do not lie down... They just are not a reflection of reality.

Something to ponder a few moments then move on...

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

So they are really no different than most photography.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

If you want reality...just look out your window.

ggab Loc: ?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Photography is not a reflection of reality.

bleirer

Our eyes and brain, and all our perceptual systems, do not reflect reality, but are interpretations of light reflected from something real. We don't see the thing itself, but interpret it's reflection and fool ourselves into calling it real.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

A truer statement has never been uttered. Perception varies as much as anything. One man's reality can be anothers? Question on purpose. A person can be brainwashed so that what you and I see as a tree becomes a monster to the brainwashed. The mind is a very powerful and yet delicate organ if you can actually call it that.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Plato's Cave.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Years ago portraits of me always seemed quite accurate, in my mind anyway. Nowadays, not so much. I notice that the same thing is happening with mirrors. Must be them darn glutens I keep hearing about!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Decades from now people are going to look at portraits from this period and be puzzled about what kind of ointments we used to get our skin to look so unworldly strange and plastic-like, and more importantly, why we were so obsessed to look like that.

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Any time you take a portrait it becomes just an outer vision of the past!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Portraits lie...

It is not about time or anything else but simple truths...

First off consider the subject - humans first -.
- We as individual try to present what we think is our best to the camera when we know someone is taking a picture. Hate this stuff or loving it we still try to present something flattering. That is not a reproduction of who we are but who we wish to be. This the first lie in my opinion.
- As photographers we introduce the second lie. We influence the outcome by introducing our own bias and interpretation of what the person should 'look like' in order to produce a good portrait disregarding the subject intent in the process.
- As viewer we make the ultimate lie on at least two levels. First by placing a judgement on the person being photographed then by making an appreciation of the photographer intent.

When it comes to inanimate subject or pets for that matter...
- I the case of pets humans wants a 'good representation of their pets as they see them. Forget the smell, the slobbering, aggressiveness or 'shyness' they think their pets is them and you should never say anything negative about them, you are attacking the pet owner personally.
- The photographer is creating the first lie by giving his/her vision that will enhance or erase part of the subject in order to create the most 'pleasant' view of whatever. This is the photographer's vision, not reality.
- The viewer enters the fray with his own way of appreciation of what he/she sees.

In both cases we are not dealing with reality but interpretation of it. Hence the thread tile and first post... "Portraits lies".

Think about it.

ISOlate Loc: Maine

“Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth” ... Pablo Picasso

Stephan G

Uh oh, we are now delving into the realm of Fiction-or-Nonfiction.

One of the discussions that crossed over two subjects way back in school. It was in Latin Class and Fine Arts Class. The discussion over the term "Sincere". In Latin, "Sine" (without) and "Cere" (wax). In Art, what these terms meant back then.

Note: The above is Sine Cere.

ggab Loc: ?

"Art is the truth that makes us realize we lie".....GGab