Image Analaysis

Image Analysis

I like this image taken for Annie Leibovitz’ Marie Antoinette inspired photo shoot for Vouge. I like the traditional look to this photo and I also like the way the masks on the faces add a sense of darkness and unknown to the photo. The way no eye contact is given in the photo give more depth to the image looking as if there is more beyond the lens. The way she is looking at him but he has his back turned to her creates a sense of unreturned love for one partner. I like the carriage used as it is very old Victorian style its light colours allow her to standout with her black dress making her look less innocent.

One of the art elements displayed in the photograph is the element of colour; the colours that are produced in this image contrast well against each other. Therefore making the main focal point (the male & female) stand out against the twilight background through the use of dark costumes allowing the characters to become the dominant features in the photograph. The pastel colours used on the carriage adds an overall a feel of calming to the final product, although the lady dressed in black becomes the focus of the photograph. The other element that I believe is evident in this photograph is the element of shape. The carriage itself particularly demonstrates this with the array of different shapes presented from the door to the windows, then with the large round wheel at the back combines the different shapes together to display an old Victorian style carriage. They draw your attention with the use of gold window tracings and outlines almost framing objects of emphasis (the lady stepping off the carriage). Also there is a certain principle of design that is shown to the viewer. I believe this principle is proportion.

This principle is displayed through the placement of the man and woman; they all look as if they are on the same level. The lady stepping onto the stairs to get off the carriage and the man being on the ground placed in a position in which he is almost on the same level as her. The trees in the foreground of the photo are in proportion with the carriage creating a sense of balance and unity. The wheels on the carriage are at a height in which they are at level with the man, with the feathers on top of the carriage creating a sense of height being at the same level as the lady coming off the carriage.