Category: Face Of The Day

Beijing-based Gao Rongguo photographs identical twins in middle age:

According to Confucius, 50 is the age when people begin to understand their fate. In an effort to visually explore this concept, Beijing-based photographer Gao Rongguo created this contemplative series, entitled Identical Twins, in which he photographs twin brothers and sisters from the Shandong province, where the artist grew up. The project features a portrait of each twin placed side-by-side so that it appears as if the two are standing face to face. The contemplative series invites viewers to consider the differences between individuals, even those as similar as identical twins, and to explore how the world can alter both the inner self and the outward appearances of people throughout life.

Alyssa Coppelman elaborates:

With this project, Gao calls into question the idea of astrology, that two people born at exactly the same time, with identical DNA, end up with completely different personalities, interests, and in fact have entirely different fates. While it is apparent that the subjects are identical twins, the sometimes miniscule, sometimes more obvious, differences between them create a poignant document of humanity and individual human determination.

More work from Rongguo here.

Photographer Hiroshi Watanabe captures Japanese theater traditions:

Particularly interested in forms of theatricality, Watanabe sought to capture individual performers within the traditions of Sarumawashi, Noh, Ena Bunraku and Kabuki.  Stylized human actors, monkeys, masks and puppets become the subject matter of Watanabe’s striking and powerful photographs.  Though the traditions come from different regions and periods of history, they are tied together by Watanabe’s eye.

A 2009 profile quoted Watanabe’s philosophy of photography:

I don’t want to tell the viewer what to see. I believe in subtlety. I don’t believe in barking at the viewer. Of course it is my vision, but this is what I think is perfect about photography; it is flexible but also subtle… There is always an element that appears in the final frame, it can be very small but if you look closely you can find it. I challenge the viewer to find what I see. If they really look at the expressions, poses and the composition, they will really find something intriguing both visually and socially.

(Photo by Hiroshi Watanabe, whose work the Dish has also featured here and here)

A former beard that is obviously pissed to be shaved off:

(Photo by Brock Davis)

US President Barack Obama meets Pope Francis at his private library in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on March 27, 2014. By Vatican Pool/Getty Images.

Elaine Young on March 25 hugs her dog, Bo, days after a mudslide narrowly missed her home in Oso, Washington. The massive mudslide killed at least fourteen and left many missing, and Young has assisted in the search-and-rescue efforts. By David Ryder/Getty Images.

A woman views the Sutton Hoo Helmet on display in the new gallery “Sutton Hoo and Europe AD 300-1100” in the British Museum in London on March 25, 2014. The exhibition in the museum’s early medieval collections marks 75 years since the discovery of the Sutton Hoo treasure, one of Britain’s most spectacular and important discoveries. The exhibition opens to the general public on March 27. By Oli Scarff/Getty Images.

A relative of passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries at a hotel in Beijing on March 24, 2014 after hearing the news that the plane plunged into the Indian Ocean. Prime Minister Najib Razak made the announcement today as the airline reportedly told relatives that none on board survived. By Goh Chai Hin/AFP/Getty Images.

by Jessie Roberts

Alyssa Coppleman captions:

Austin-based Sandy Carson has been photographing bands professionally for eight years, and being that he is based in “the Live Music Capital of the World,” he’s had his fair share of slogging through the pit, camera in hand, to capture many famous and lesser-known bands that have played at SXSW, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Austin City Limits, and the hundreds of shows happening year-round. Carson’s new series, We Were There, features photographs not of the bands but of the crowds—those most dedicated fans who shove themselves to the front to be as close as possible to the show.

In an interview last year, Carson explained his thought process while shooting:

I think, like all photographers we all have little subconscious alarm bells that go off when we see potential photographs depending on what we have trained our eyes to pick up on due to our influences. I’m definitely drawn to ironic and humerous juxtapositions, characters and really banal social landscapes that are often jaundiced, so I’m told.

See more pictures from the series here.

(Photo by Sandy Carson)

by Katie Zavadski

Paul Nathan takes dog grooming to another level:

New Zealand-born, NYC-based photographer Paul Nathan shines the light on some perfectly primped canines in his new book Groomed, released this Spring by Pelluceo Publishing. Shooting at multiple high-profile grooming competitions, Nathan explores the world—and art—of dog grooming, capturing the creations of some of the world’s top dog groomers. The selection here are from what’s known as the ‘creative’ category. Humorous and delightful, Nathan’s pre-show portraits reveal character in both the artist and the canvas. He recently told us more about the world of dog grooming.

Check out his books here and here.

(Photo by Paul Nathan)

by Chris Bodenner

On the woman who captured the beast:

Photographer Amy Lombard grew up in a house filled with pets and has always loved animals. After finishing a series on IKEA showrooms early last year, she was looking for a new project. That’s when she started going to animal shows. She started with dog beauty pageants and then let her curiosity lead her to new discoveries. Quickly, Lombard came across shows devoted to all sorts of creatures, from reptiles to cats to insects. “Anything you can imagine, there is a subculture for it,” Lombard said. “If you look in the corners of the Internet, you will find it.”

More from Lombard’s series here.