Shining a light on black actors

Underexposed addresses that discrepancy with the city outside through the 30 portraits of successful, black British actors — part of a London-wide campaign titled the 4 The Record Initiative (4TR). Its founder, Shopping and Baby-father actor Fraser James, plans to raise the actors’ visibility and highlight them as role models.

Franklyn Rodgers — an award-winning portrait photographer — addresses the brief by grouping the close-up faces in slow-moving groups of three. Each character is locked on screen as their name and a short, apposite quote comes into view, then fades. The low-key presentation heightens the impact of his subject’s unadorned features and direct expressions; decorative light imprinting golden strands across foreheads and cheeks links each subject.

The collusion between photographer and actor/model is intriguing: the lack of intrusive clothing implies honesty, and facial expressions play to the brief. EastEnders’ Angela (Yolande) Wynter radiates confidence suiting her exotic, sculpted features bared under a high head-wrap ("Peace in my skin," she says), and stars of Casualty and Love Thy Neighbour combine in a convincing force. Making crucial connections with the viewer, they present images of someone to envy and emulate. The existentially troubled eyes of Eamonn Walker, who gave a notable Othello at the Globe, match his mantra "Searching for inspiration, along the way hoping to inspire".

But Hugh Quarshie’s statement, "Technique without truth is empty, truth without technique is implausible," touches the pact between actor and photographer.

Until 8 June. Information: 020 7312 2643, www.npg.org.uk

Franklyn Rodgers: Underexposed
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place, WC2H 0HE