Do all "portraits" have to be attractive to be good portraits?
Most certainly not. The portrait is entirely what the photographer wants it to be.
The classic example that I use is Richard Avedon's portraits of his father. As one critic described it, he "murdered his own father with the camera."
The result, while it could hardly be called attractive, was effective, and conveyed a message.
Art isn't always beautiful. But it should always make you think...
-Mat
