For my first foray into photographic interpretation, I would like to begin with this simple and yet layered example of what I will call "The Art of Photographic Suggestion." Photography, like film, is a visual medium of art. However, unlike film, photography emphasizes the image over the story, which in one sense makes it far more elusive to understand. Often devoid of story and almost always of dialogue, photography taps into far more subtle receptors of the brain which nevertheless receive a message but one which is often beneath our radar. Thus, we may look at a photo such as this (I suggest opening the hyperlink on the picture in a new window and pulling it up side-by-side with this post) and see a beautiful woman, perhaps even the "woman of our dreams," and yet we have no idea why this should be the case. If asked, we might say "well, just look at her, she's obviously pretty." But photography does not deal in such simple terms.
I suggest we begin by asking the question, "What does this photograph say to us?" In other words, what is this photograph communicating to us, the audience, about this woman? What is she like and why should we want her even though we are told (in more than one way) that we have "No Chance" (which is the title of the photograph). First, since this is classified as "fashion photography," what do the woman's clothes say about her? To begin with, high heels suggest a degree of class, one reason she would be both desireable and untouchable. The long black stockings also seem to suggest class, although the pinstripes seem reminiscent of a showgirls' outfit and perhaps imply a bit of playfulness as well. The white top also seems a mix of playful and a relaxed casual. It is uncertain whether she is dressed for work or play (the top and shorts suggest waitress), but she appears competent at both. The juxtaposition of black and white clothing is intriguing, again perhaps a work (black: stylish, efficient, precise) and white (casual, yet also pure, which is interesting). Her angular pose on the table fills the frame nicely to show off each part of the precisely-chosen outfit.
From a photographic standpoint, we notice that the overexposed backlight creates something of a halo outlining nameless woman (notice the difference between the her flooded legs and the hint of gold on the back of her neck and back). Her white top, as you may have noticed, also does not appear very white because of the intense blue gel-lamp focused on it, which only reinforces the coolness and relaxation of her casual side. The green light in her hair is a little harder to pin down, but perhaps that is the point, for after all this woman is shrouded in mystery. The soft focus, the short depth of field, and the extreme noise of her skin all suggest an other-wordliness. We truly have no chance with this angel from another plane, at best we are here seeing her as if through a thin cloud.
All of these observations boil down to a few simple "communications:" here is a nameless woman who is both efficient and casual, playful and pure, classy and demure. She is, essentially, a dream-girl who lives in the realm of fantasy, inaccesible but tempting, almost inviting with her surrendering, downcast eyes. She is in no way threatening, but neither is she weak. Above all, she is a paradox and an enigma, which makes her the perfect object of undying fantasies.
How can one respond to such an image? Certainly unbridled lust is no danger here, as might often be the case in female fashion shoots, for this image is nearly to opposite of pornographic, creating a beauty that is not flashy or shocking but rather subtle and quiet, smooth and yet not curvatious, with long brown hair fully covering her breast. Instead, I think this image invites more of a "slow burn" desire (to quote Atreyu), a desire to know this woman who seems too good to be true and who automatically gives you "no chance," which only ensures that the desire burns on unfulfilled. So take a good long look at this picture and see if you can tear your eyes away. Rather, I find that they simply linger, sadly unfulfilled and yet expectant, always waiting.
So what have we learned from this photograph? First, hopefully we have seen the depth of implications a photograph can make through its selection of subject elements and its use of light and other tools such as focus, depth of field, exposure, etc. Knowing those tools helps us to respond intelligently to a photograph such as this, to note explicitly the longing and loneliness that a photo like this evokes in us. So what is the purpose of this photo for us now that our analysis is complete? In this case, I would not recommend staring at a picture like this on a regular basis, for that will likely only inspire unhealthy dissatisfaction rather than joy, contentment, or other virtuos feelings. However, I think this picture serves as a poignant mirror of the way men often look at women. Here is a fantasy girl, and yet is she all that well off herself. From her perspective, life must also appear pretty bleak, with her stuck in a land of dreams and no one having a chance with her but likewise her never having a chance with anyone. She would probably empathize with Ariel of "The Little Mermaid," and perhaps her eyes would reveal a certain sadness if they were shown. And yet her eyes remain on the ground, completing the fantasy by surrending to we real men's desires and offering her services, even if her invitation in the end is little more than a facade. Here is a mirror of our fantasies, and hopefully looking into it will convince us to look for true and joyful women in our own lives, rather than clinging to fantasies which will leave us with little but loneliness.
*Thanks to DocoPhoto for you art. Anyone reading this please follow that link to his page and send your appreciation.
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