After looking at Dawoud Bey’s work I start to realize that when shooting on location the backgound seems to be dark and cluttered in a way. This technique really helps bring out the subject more. He sets the light at certain angles which goes off to the side of the models poses and also in a angle of a triangle when shooting straight into the subjects eyes. Some of the models show different kinds of gestures which gives the photos a mood and meaning. Some gestures show innocence, vulnerability, anger, and calmness which gives life to his amazing work.

In the few portrait shots that we viewed from Dawoud Bay, he uses expression through peoples hand  gestures such as the position of their hands, the way they use their hands, he also uses facial expressions. These facial expressions give you an idea of each persons personality due to the way they position their face, the way they frown, or the way they smirk. Most of the background scenes in his portraits are blurred, this helps the person stand out in each picture as well as the way he uses the light. The light focuses mainly on their face so it gives it a better view of their facial expressions, which helps us understand through their expression how each individual is feeling.

What I really likes about his style of work is the way he makes you feel a connection with the person in the photo. It really brought me back to when I was in high school and made me remember all the different people that I had in my classes. You’re looking at these people you have never met and yet you almost feel like you know them because you remember someone that was similar to them. You can make out the popular person, or the gothic person or even that shy girl that never talked to anyone. You look at them and it reminds you of that person that you knew. Bey does a very good job lighting his subject and making them stand out against the harsh distracting environment behind them. The lighting that he uses is very soft and almost feels like window light. The way he positions his subjects compliments the type of person that they are. The subjects all have a story about who they are and what they have been through. The photos Bey took almost make you want to learn more about the person to see who they are. Im also very impressed at how little time he had to work with and the fact that he was able to learn the person and figure out a position that best compliments them.