STYLE, MOTIF AND HOMEAGE
Platon
Platon was born on 20 April 1968 in Greece. His father was a Greek architect and illustrator, and his mother was an art historian. He was raised in Greece and moved to England at the age of 8 where he studied graphic design at Saint Martin's School of Art. He later on received his master's in fine arts from the Royal College of Art.
After leaving college in 1992, Platon began his career in fashion photography and portraiture. Platon left London and went to New York to start his commercial career with John Kennedy Jr. at George magazine. Some of Platon's commercial work includes photographing for Levi's, IBM, Nike, and Motorola.
Style and Motif
What are the main styles and motifs used by Platon? Platon is known for his signature photographic style that emphasises minimalism, high-contrast photos and powerful emotional depth. He often takes black and white portraits that focus on the subjects face and eyes giving them a certain personality within the photos. His signature photos have direct frontal poses with soft and dramatic lightning, enhancing every detail of the subject's expression.
Why do I think Platon uses these styles and motifs? I think Platon uses these styles and motifs to capture the true essence of his subjects and make them appear different from how they're normally perceived. He often takes pictures of big celebrities who are perceived in a different light by the public. Making them do humorous poses gives them a sense of individuality that may not have been shown before to the public.
How did Platon achieve these effects? Platon often uses wide-angle lenses that exaggerate certain features of the model, like hands. He also uses soft, diffused lighting that emphasises the subject's skin texture without showing harsh shadows.
Extension
W
Where do you think this is s why? The image appears to be set indoors, likely in a photography studio or a location with a piano. The controlled lighting and clean, modest background suggest a professional studio setting.
What can I see? I can see a person, possibly a celebrity, sitting at a grand piano. The image focuses on both the subject and their hands, emphasizing their connection to the instrument. The subject's expression and posture indicate he is deeply engaged with the piano, highlighting his focus on the music.
When do you think it was made/set? The photograph is likely to be set in the early 2000s or 2010s, based on the hairstyle, black and white filter, and the modern casual clothes worn by the subject.
What are the style and motifs of the photograph? The photographer (Platon) employs a high-contrast black-and-white style, which adds drama and elegance to the photo. The close framing of the subject's hands and expression capture the subject's passion for the piano.
My photos
How do my photos represent the style and motif of photographer Platon? My photos embody Platon's style through the black-and-white imagery and the focus on gestures and hands. The minimal background and direct engagement with the "subjects" align with Platon's method of capturing personality and authenticity. Using props like a head mannequin and doing different poses adds a unique vibe to the photos, giving each one its own personality. By using a Wide-angle lens and a low angle it distorts the perspective of the hands, legs, fingers etc embodying Platon's style.