Streets & Sides
Listening to a philosophical debate on what portraiture is. They’re arguing (professing?) that it involves the subject actively participating in the creation of the work – posing, so to speak. Which they say disqualifies animals (non-human animals), as they aren’t aware of the act, are not knowingly projecting themselves as they see fit for the artist. Interesting…
Though she is a small element in the overall busy composition, I’d say this is certainly a portrait. It is her in her environment, literally her neighborhood, sitting amongst the thickness of Manhattan.
I’ll admit it now. This is undoubtably one of my favorite photos in recent memory. Top three in the year of 2011 to be certain. Though it’s not purely photographic, this attachment to the image. A sterling case of photographer knowing more about the situation, having an unseeable appreciation for that moment.
To four more months of work, four more months of school (and one month of Cuba?).
Gustav Hoiland 
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