Watch The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman's Portrait Photography

The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman's Portrait Photography is a documentary film directed by the well-known filmmaker and photographer, Errol Morris. The documentary is a tribute to Dorfman's work and her contribution to the world of portrait photography. The film revolves around the life and work of Elsa Dorfman, who is widely known for her large-format portraits of famous people, including Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg and Jorge Luis Borges. She is a unique figure in the world of photography, having worked with the Polaroid 20x24 camera, which produces large-scale, one-of-a-kind prints.

Throughout the documentary, Dorfman provides insight into her creative process, her approach to photography, and how she has captured some of the most iconic portraits of the last few decades. The film also delves into the technical aspects of her work with the Polaroid camera, which adds a fascinating layer to her story.

One of the key aspects of the documentary is Elsa's approach to her subjects. She has a unique way of making her subjects feel at ease, which translates into some of the most intimate and revealing portraits ever captured on film. The film showcases some of her most iconic photographs, and we hear first-hand from the subjects themselves about their experience working with her.

In particular, we hear from Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg, both of whom have become close friends with Elsa over the years. Through their interviews, we gain a deep appreciation for the relationship between the photographer and the subject, and how it helped to create some of the most iconic photographic portraits of the last century.

In addition to her portraits of famous people, the documentary also explores Elsa's work as a community photographer, capturing the essence of everyday life in her hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her work in this area is equally as compelling as her portraits of famous people, and the film shines a light on the importance of everyday life and the beauty that can be found in the mundane.

The film also explores Elsa's evolution as a photographer, and how she has adapted to changing technologies over the years. In particular, we learn about her transition from Polaroid to digital photography, and how she has used new technologies to further expand her creative vision.

Overall, The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman's Portrait Photography is a fascinating and intimate look at the life and work of one of the most celebrated photographers of the last century. Through her story, we gain a deep appreciation for the art of portrait photography, and the importance of capturing the essence of a subject in a single image. The film is a testament to Elsa's creativity and innovation, and her contribution to the world of photography will continue to inspire generations of photographers to come.

The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman's Portrait Photography is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 77.