Simon Roberts
'The Russian Army'
When I first saw this photograph, I wasn't sure what it was about. But as I looked closer I realised and it took my breath. I read about the photo and Roberts had been documenting the military in Russia and how men were conscripted and forced to join the army for two years.
This is the heartbreaking moment of a reluctant son leaving home against his will, his facial expression is of pure sadness and loss as he presses his hand against the glass window of the train in the same gesture as who I imagine is his father.
This picture makes me want to cry, I know how hard it is to leave ones father. Waving through the train window, not knowing when you will see him again. This poor man is leaving for two years and may never return because of the job description. I want to know how it ends. Does he come back to his father? Does he survive his service to his country? I hope he does.
This photograph captures all the emotion and loss. It hard to look at but you simply can't help yourself... One word comes to mind when describing this image... 'Heart-breaking.'
William Eggleston
'Memphis'
This photograph is very interesting. The tricycle is the most important object in the image, but you notice the suburban area behind. When I look at this image, I get a horrible feeling. Maybe I have watched too many films, but the houses behind are meant to show the American street where there is the perfect neighbourhood with the perfect neighbours... but even the most perfect places have their secrets.
Perhaps it's because 'The Shining' was a scaring experience for me, but this tricycle makes me think of horror films, which leads me to ask, 'Where is the child?'
I know this photograph may not be that deep and thought provoking and it may just be that these are the things this particular photographer remember from his childhood, but I feel there is more to this. It's a captivating image regardless of it's meaning, but when I think about it, it gives me chills.
Martin Parr
'Girls' Night Out'
This photo captures a girls' night out down to a tee. I can't really explain what it is I like about this image, I just do! I like the way the blonde lady on the far rights's hand has blurred slightly from movement as though she is still dancing. The smile on her face with her eyes closed makes it seem as though she is in her own world, completely oblivious that her friend is trying to talk to her.
They are all dressed quite nicely, if a little short in the dress department. I also really like how the other blonde girls to the left of the middle has a cigarette hanging out of her mouth while she digs through her bag for a lighter. I see this around town a lot and it makes me smile that this is the part of a girl's night out that Parr decided to capture.
I love the colours in this photo. From the bright colours of the womens' clothes (apart from the black dresses) to the colour of the street behind them. There is always a yellow tint to the world at night thanks to the street lights.
I like the red car in the background, blurred from movement, speeding away. There is just so much going on! A busy nightlife scene that makes me want to join them.
Imogen Cunningham
'Phoenix on her side'
I am captivated by the shapes in the female body. I love pictures of them, especially the interestingly positioned ones when they conceal everything. This woman's spine is protruding through the skin on her back and the rest of her back is sprinkled with freckles which is interesting as it looks like her back is the only place that has been marked by freckles.
I love the way her hair twists away from her head with a strand looping back across her neck. It's alluring. I also really like the contrast of her immensely pale skin against the dark cloth she lays on. Perhaps dark bedsheets as the position is foetal and suggests she could be sleeping.
Hiroshi Sugimoto
'Lightning Fields 013'
At first I thought this was an image of a tree with an odd effect over it, then I thought it looked more like the nervous system of the human body. It turns out, as the title clearly states, that it is lightning. Some say that Sugimoto's pictures are more of an exploration of science rather than of art and they say this image and his others that are similar to this one confirm that theory. I feel that even though it may be an exploration into science, there is no denying that this is beautiful. I really like this, it's just so interesting. How did he do it? It looks almost like he has taken a photograph of a very complicated scene of forked lightening and then flipped the image upside down to make it look like a tree. Of course I have no idea, but that's how it looks to me.
Robert Doisneau
'The Kiss'
I really like this photograph. To me it's a reminder that love is everywhere. The people passing by are slightly blurred as if hurrying around while these two people are still, absorbed in the moment. Almost as if time has stood still for the couple and for them alone. It makes us wonder if the kiss was staged or if it was an act of spontaneity.
This photo reminded me of another that makes us ponder the same question. When I looked online, some people claimed this photo to also be that of Doisneau's but I found out the actual photographer after a while.
 |
| Alfred Eisenstaedt, 'Sailor' |
This photograph was featured in the romantic comedy 'Letter's to Juliet'. The film is a personal favourite of mine and it sparked my love for this photo. The photo was taken the moment people knew the war was over and it was meant to be an act of spontaneity from overwhelming joy at the news. The nurse is supposed to be the "Bee's Knees" and so made it understandable that the sailor would kiss her.
There is, however, an almost identical photograph taken in the same place and almost the same time from a different angle, which makes it a little bit suspicious that two photographers would be there, focused on the same couple.
