I'm looking for some printing inspiration for some formal portraits. Can anyone recommend some links of nicely printed portraits..black and white and preferably male subjects. Cheers

There is plenty of inspiration in the APUG galleries themselves - however they are subscriber access only, well worth it though ;)

This character used to hang out here quite a bit : Michael McBlane (http://www.michaelmcblane.com/)

Plenty of inspiration at his site.

Joe

Although somewhat homo-erotic (which I have no problem with), I always thought that Robert Maplethorpe's photographs where technically brilliant. I think they were all done in black and white. My aunt, an art dealer has
a photo he did of her three children against a black backdrop (most of his work was that way I believe) and the white of their face just pops.

He's not for anybody but I really respect his work. I think he was even self taught?

Mapplethorpe's photos are definitely an acquired taste. He had formal training in art, but his photography was largely self taught. He got his BFA from the Pratt Institute in graphic design. For a long time, he did none of his own printing or developing, but had assistants and labs handle all that work. His lighting technique though was entirely his own. Actually, only a small portion of his total output would fall into what could be called "objectionable", especially by today's standards. In the early 80's, though, it was a bit more scandalous. He earned his basic paycheck doing portrait commissions, though, until his later years. There is a substantial body of his portrait work out there, but I don't recall if it has been compiled into a single volume.

There is a book. I have seen it. A coffee table book with every type (and I mean every) type of photo. I don't remember the name but its probably searchable.

I know there are a number of books of Mapplethorpe's photos, but I don't think one of exclusively his portrait work exists. Numerous volumes of his flowers, his nudes, and his erotic work exist. I did a look-see on Amazon and couldn't find one of his portraits, but that's not an exhaustive search. I'd love to be wrong about that and find such a book.

The recommendation of portraits by Michael McBlane and Robert Mapplethorpe are both excellent choices and I'd add Greg Gorman to the list.

Mike Disfarmer (http://www.disfarmer.com/) has become a favorite of mine. Something about the light he used mesmerizes me, but others see differently. I can spend hours looking through the galleries at that site. Wade through some of the pages at my little site while you're out strolling.

Re-reading your original post, perhaps my tastes lean toward informal, so dis-regard if not on target.

Formal portraits of men... How about Steichen's wonderful portraits of e.g. Noel Coward and Charlie Chaplin? They are such intelligent and knowing portrayals of these famous personalities. Coward the flamboyant homosexual aesthete, photographed in dramatic chiaroscuro daintily holding a smoking cigarette in a holder. Full-length. At top left, the silhouette of an animal... a cat of course, what else? Chaplin on a stage under a spotlight but seen slightly from above. Casting a huge shadow, sporting a devilish grin, poised on an ivory-handled walking stick. It's all in the context. Photography cannot reveal the soul, unless it is in worry lines at the corners of the eyes or the drooping mouth resulting from too many years wearing a sour expression. But the photographer can do something to show the personality and substance of the sitter, to provide that essential spark of interest.

i'm a huge fan of George Hurrell. It's a very difficult style to replicate (as are the models), but it's brilliant work.

I don't think George Hurrell is really what the OP is looking for, as even his portraits of men seem "feminine" by today's standards. At least in so far as the 'Hollywood Glamor' lighting (and printing!) technique is identified with female stars.

Don't forget August Sander, the German photographer who created a huge body of portraits in the first half of the 20th century. His technique, subjects and lighting are straightforward but incredibly effective.

http://www.artphotogallery.org/02/artphotogallery/photographers/august_sander_05.html

I think right now Norman Riley is about my favorite. http://normanrileyphotography.com/ I believe after you go in through the image on front, the portraits are at VII and VIII. Check him out. Beautiful work, in my opinion!

Janet

if want portraits of men ..
you might consider looking
through some of the portraits
made by yousuf karsh.

http://www.geh.org/ne/mismi3/karsh_sum00001.html
is just one of the many places you might be able to find them.

I am big on Steve Pyke:

http://www.pyke-eye.com/faces.html

You find his work in the New Yorker sometimes. Also inpirational for me is Irving Penns older stuff.

Thanks for the links, Steve Pyke is probably the closest to my own style of photographing male subjects...black background head and shoulders, a more commercial style. Although it takes me back to my other thread of chopping off heads! :)

I found some printing styles which is more or less what I'm looking for; the Eddie Ephraums and David Quirke prints on this site:
http://www.andrewsanderson.com/categories.php?category=8

I reckon, I need printer's websites for inspiration.