Photo Critique

Frank Hovart. Shoe and Eiffel Tower, 1974

1. The image consists of high heel shoes with tights that are dark in color, large and at the front of the image. In the background of the image is the Eiffel Tower, framed in between the shoes with a very light background otherwise (save for the building shown near the edge of the left side of the photo). A person can be seen, framed by the space between the arch of the high heel shoe and the tall heel. The person looks small compared to many other elements of the photo. All other elements of the photo appear small compared to the shoes. The photo must have been taken very close to or on the ground due to how much of the person walking with high heels we can see (only a little above the ankles, not nearly to the knees). There is no angle up or down, it is straight ahead. There is a large amount of contrast between the shoes/tights and the sky.

2. By framing both the Eiffel Tower and the person, the viewer's eyes are drawn to them. It's nice because the high heel shoes are very much obvious due to the contrast between them and the sky in the background, so by framing other subjects the photo is a lot more interesting and complex. There is a low horizon line, as the camera was most likely close to or on the ground. You could also say that distance, close and far, are used to contribute to the success of the image by making it more interesting and engaging: the shoes, which would otherwise be the smallest subject of the photo, are up close, while the person, the Eiffel Tower, and the building are much farther away from the camera. While it is not exactly, this could also be sharp focus, because each subject is clear and obvious rather than just having the shoes be focused on or just having the things framed by the shoes be focused on. Everything is clear. There can also be a sense of informal balance considering that the shoes are not perfectly centered, and the subjects behind them are not evenly balanced either: the person is more centered while the Eiffel Tower is more to the right, and the other building in sight is so far to the left and at a certain angle so that most of it is cut off.

3. As for my personal interpretation, what I see is a summary, a representation or portrayal of the area, captured in one photo at that moment. It captures the mood and place by showing many different important elements of it: the tower, the building, the person framed by the shoes, the person wearing the shoes themself, and even other smaller elements that are so small that they can barely be seen: a statue, some other people near the building, and what looks to be two people together framed by the shoe on the right. These smaller things also contribute to the meaning, I think: its a photo that captures the feel of the place at that time in a complex and interesting way, framing and clearly showing the different subjects. The shoes frame the important things in the area and show this emotion or mood of this place, leading the viewer's eyes to what makes the photo whole.

4. Yes, I believe this image is unique and very successful. I appreciate the various blended compositional techniques used in a way that contributes to the photo. I enjoy the subjects of the photo that all seem to complement each other, and think that overall it is a photo that captures people's attention. Each time you look closer, you notice something new in the background, or realize something that is going on with those smaller subjects. Each section of the photo itself could have different meaning, from the person framed by the shoes to the person walking past the statue to what might be two people sitting together enjoying the scenery on the right side. There is a lot to analyze in this photo for me, who is on the lookout for compositional techniques and meaning, yet when looking at it, it is still easy to understand for the average viewer and they also can see what's going on in general. Sometimes, simplicity is key, but all of the things in the background of this photo play a role and enhance its success for me. Detail is nice.