Henri-Cartier-Bresson photograph analysis -

Subject - The subject of the photograph that I have chosen from the famous photographer Henri-cartier-Bresson could be a vary of different things. No one apart from Bresson himself will know the exact reason and purpose for the photograph. I personally feel this specific landscape image has been taken in a foreign country, likely to be somewhere cold, cultured place for example france? Specific things that suggest this is the misty,cold dullness of the surroundings (dead trees) and the specific style of the buildings as the look old fashion and cultured. The key themes that came to mind when I look at the image is silence, death and division. The fact that the point of the boat look it's leading you into the image, the use of the bridge and the reflection on the water shows the seperation and division of the image. This could connote the difference in lifestyle as there is some sort of factory, workplace building in the centre of the photograph which could connote it's a key subject of the image. The fact that the person running over the bridge is a women could contrast between the male dominance from the workhouse building to the women almost 'galloping' across the bridge. This could connote the lifestyle and duties in men and women and what their specific roles consist of in the particular county and time. Therefor the use of the bridge could suggest the comparison and contrast between women and men. The image gives a extremely lonely feeling by the stillness of the lake to the dullness of the dead trees. Even though the image is black and White it still gives the impression it was set on a cold misty winter morning, which again adds to the mood and feeling of the image.

Content - In the image the main key things I can see that I believe are there for a particular reason is: the bridge, the women, main boat, dead trees and the workhouse/ factory building in the background. The fact that the women is running could suggest she's running to or from something, the point of the end of the boat resembles something sharp which could connote danger. However by the movement of the women it looks almost like she's 'galloping' which could show freedom. This contrast between the factory building which men have built and work at to support them and their families. This could suggest the roles for men and women in the specific country and time. My eyes are particularly drawn to the boat in the centre, as it almost leads you into the picture which has the comparison of a bridge leading you somewhere. The fact that there's no one else apart from the women in the image suggest and creates a sense of loneliness and vulnerability. However on the other hand it could suggest freedom. With the use of the reflection on the water could again show the strong division between women/men and the freedom of a women/male dominance. The main message of the photograph I feel is the strong contrast in lifestyle and gender in that specific time and culture. I feel that the image was set up, to make sure the women and the point of the boat was specifically there to give the particular theme and feeling which gave me the message I got from the photograph.

Form - firstly the photograph is all in focus to suggest all of the different parts of the image is important in giving the audience a specific message and feeling. The image personally doesnt give me a impact as it is a very confusing image which takes time to figure out as the real purpose could be a variety of different things. There is a strong use linear, which instead of being straight the are very curved on one side in the bridge ( boats edges and the bridge itself) compared to the other side where there is the use of straight lines used in the buildings. This again gives of the contrast between men and women and lifestyle in general as indicates the different types on either side of the bridge.
The shapes used are mainly very curved and pointed on one side of the bridge compared to the other where there is bold block like buildings. The use of depth of field shows the importance of specific parts on the photograph being the main boat. Tone is again used to show the contrast, as the right side of the image, which is where the women is running to is very dark and gloomy, compared to the opposite side where the buildings are which give of a lighter tone. This again suggest the contrast as men build houses, they mainly work in bug factories, whereas women don't usually. The fact she's running away from that side suggest she's trying to get away from the 'make dominance and the ' building/work life) and running to the free 'darker nature'. Also the use of texture on the right hand side is more harsher and rough with the ripple of the water more intense and darker and the sharp harsh feel of the dead trees compared to the opposite side.

How to analyse a photograph using...

Subject - The subject of a photograph is almost like the theme of the image,including things like the title and name of the photographer of the specific image. Where it has been taken and why has it been taken specifically there, the genre of the image e.g landscape/portrait etc). Also subject includes what themes have been used in their work and why,

Content - is what you can see in the image and why the photographer has used it, to connote something particular in the image, what is the artist trying to say or convey to the audience are they trying to give a message? For example --->

What's the photographer trying to say through this image,what's the message they want to give? Maybe that parents influence their children in negative ways? By the way the 'father' has his hand gently placed on the boy almost connotes that he's 'proud' by giving him a 'pat' on the boys head. The fact that the adults faces are not shown could show that they are ashamed of themselves and how they have 'brought' up their children but are not 'big' enough to say so?

Has the photographer purposely set up the scene and setting has he planned exactly what they want to photograph and show as a image? Or is it more photojournalism, to show everyday life and situations?

              Form - what us the formal elements that have been used in the image and why?

For example the use of texture, the surface qualities of the artwork.

The use of lines, the actual or implied lines within a composition.

                       The use of tone, describing the darkness and lightness of a photograph.

Also form asks if there is any experimentation with ISO/focus etc,if the image has been manipulated, is it framed, the size and the impact it gives of.
Words that fit in with form : Line,shape,form,tone,colour,space,texture,central,eye path,straight, curved, linear,pace,quite,busy and detailed.