Philip-Lorca diCorcia
1) Each image poses a very theatrical setting, as if they were still images from a feature film or commercial. In all three of these images, i believe diCorcia achieves this cinematic effect by illuminating the subject with the primary light source. Another thing i noticed about all three images is that he chose to cut off the portrait around the subject's knees. Lastly none of his portraits are straight forward. By that i mean he makes his portraits at some sort of diagonal angle to make sure that the viewer can see more depth in the setting.
2) I believe diCorcia deliberately wanted to show the beauty in the world of male prostitution. At the same time i think he also wanted to show the isolation. Lastly i think he wanted to show desire. Each image gives the viewer an aesthetic desire. We see all of this in how he wanted to illuminate the textures and surfaces of the male flesh in the second and third pictures. Also the way each subject and background meld together is almost surreal, giving the viewer a fantastical experience.
In the first image, the subject's face is obscured by the light, in the second it is much harder to see the subject's face but it is juxtaposed against a face on a television, in the last image, the subject isn't facing the camera and the only other subject is his own shadow. These actions really emphasize the idea of isolation or loneliness.
3) I think that diCorcia has an amazing vision. I really love the cinematic-like effect of each image. Another way i think he really nailed this is by borrowing from popular (90s) american imagery. I think its always a good idea to frame your subject with light in a portrait but diCorcia really takes this to the next level, giving the images a very magical vibe. I didn't mention this before because it's not a very grounded thought but i think he also wanted to show that each subject is confronting harsh reality and i think thats always a very strong idea to portray.
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