nhc 131, originally uploaded by crumplestiltskin.
“Ladies and gentlemen, observe the contrast between age and youth, black and white, light and shadow. Admire too the subtle contrast of shadows – the tones on the white woman’s face are almost an inversion of those on the black woman. How clever that these women appear to be so different yet are drawn together in a celebration of diversity.
Equality manifests itself in the image’s composition. The tops of the women’s heads are in line, the curved shapes of their headdresses echo each other elegantly and the diagonal sweep of brocade shows a harmonious dynamism. At right angles to this, two more diagonal planes are established by the eyeline and their uplifted jawlines, drawing the viewer deep into the image.
Yet despite this structural display of balance, there is a reminder of historical inequalities suggested by the harsh shadow cast onto the black woman’s arm by the white woman’s costume. Perhaps more importantly, the white woman is the dominant subject, being in focus, in front, and taking up most of the frame. Is this really the happy, diverse image it seemed to be at first sight, or is it something more sinister?”
This could be interpreted as a very meaningful image. Symbolic. Metaphorical. A sign of our times.
But it’s just a snap I took at the Notting Hill Carnival. Where did all this deep meaning come from? It wasn’t like I got them to pose with their heads in line and a “diagonal plane drawing the viewer deep into the image”. It was complete chance. And for that reason I don’t think it’s justfied to assign any sort of meaning to it. Yes, it might happen to illustrate a particular political or moral point, but I can assure you that I wasn’t thinking about that when that shutter released. Perhaps I’d be a better photographer if I was.
I’m not going to trick you into thinking I believe all my pictures have some kind of profound, innate meaning, because very few of them do. Maybe it’s best that way – it makes the audience think more rather than giving them messages on a plate.
