The National Portrait Gallery opened an exhibition “Portraiture Now: Feature Photography” last week featuring the work of six unique and creative photographers: Katy Grannan, Jocelyn Lee, Ryan McGinley, Steve Pyke, Martin Schoeller and Alec Soth. Each has gained attention through publication in the New Yorker, Esquire and the New York Times Magazine. The exhibition compiles their interpretations of a modern portrait and includes a variety of subjects from the anonymous to the political figure to the celebrity.

Katy Grannan uses human elements to highlight distinctions between her subjects. She places them in ordinary settings to catch them in everyday activity. Jocelyn Lee uses her photography to tackle the psychology associated with place and circumstance. Each subject must understand their relationship with the world in terms of color, material and surface. Ryan McGinley’s work centers on music and the concert scene. His photos follow the energy, lights and how fans relate to the artist. Steve Pyke, a native Englishman, examines what we can learn by looking at someone’s face. His collection features a variety of intimate portraits. Martin Schoeller first gained experience working with Annie Leibovitz, learning valuable lessons about production and styling. His close-ups highlight the differences in facial features – including those of Barack Obama and Angelina Jolie – which force the viewer to ask whether that distinguishes or separates them. Alec Soth rounds up the exhibition with a selection of portraits of women. Both raw and vulnerable, these photographs challenge the stereotypes and labels associated with gender.

The exhibition will be held until September 27, 2009 at the National Portrait Gallery. (Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.)

The National Portrait Gallery
Eighth and F Streets
NW, D.C., 20001
11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. daily
(202) 633-8300
Admission FREE
www.npg.si.edu