Vanity Fair

A)Caption: Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard, by Bruce Weber, 1984B) Caption: A Much Screened Lady - Gloria Swanson, by Edward Steichen, 1924

How does the subjects’ body language, facial expression, gaze, etc. influence the way we read their personality?
A) As both subjects are looking at one another smiling and embracing each other, it portrays that they have loving personalities and that they are very much in love.
B) As the subject is staring directly at us, it is very intimidating. She comes across as very powerful and mysterious.

Compare the photographic strategies for portraiture (technique, lighting etc) in the two eras of VF.
In both eras of VF it can be seen that most of the portraits of women are lit very softly. In the earlier era of VF all of the subjects are very posed and it seems more artistic where as the modern photos seem more natural and less set up. The contrast also differs greatly- the older photos seem to have less contrast and are more flat and the modern VF photos have very strong contrast.

How does the photographer contribute to the construction of identity?
By setting the scene and deciding what works and doesn’t work, the photographer contributes to the construction of the subjects’ identity. The way the subject stands or sits can give them a sense of a certain personality. Even what is in the background can give a sense of identity.

Is portraiture of “celebrities” truthful in any way, or is it just portraying the “character” or “mask” they inhabit?
In some cases in the VF exhibitions the celebrities were portraying characters. But some photographs for e.g. by Annie Leibovitz, seem to be truthful if only a little. It is very difficult to know whether or not a photograph of a celebrity is truthful as we do not know them personally, we can only assume their personalities and identities.

source: http://www.portrait.gov.au/site/vanity_exhib9.php