Blog Entry # 3

Blog Entry Number 3
Artist: Richard Avedon
Carmen coat by Cardin, Place Francois-Premier Paris, 1957
Size 45.6 x 36 cm
Link to the Photograph http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/photography/magnify.php?imageid=im00015

Subject Matter: The subject of the photograph is the woman. She moves gracefully through the streets of Paris. She is wearing a rain coat and carrying an umbrella which signifies she may be running to seek shelter from the storm. Even though she may be in a hurry we see her leaping off of the sidewalk ever so serene and gracefully.

Form:
Contrast
Light and value
Motion
Point of view
Relationship of the elements within the frame

Interpretation:
The photograph represents motion and grace. The woman running through the streets seeking shelter moves ever so gracefully through Paris. The snapshot was taken at a high shutter speed and captures her just as her feet are about to reach the ground. She is in motion and will be as soon as her feet touch down. This silver gelatin piece helps to capture what Paris was during the 1970’s. The European’s are always ahead of their times in fashion, class, and style which is what this photograph represents.

The image is very high contrast then which focuses on the light and value of the piece, the lights and the darks. The image captures a woman in motion as we see the snapshot taken from a low level point of view.