Rebecca Shalloway 10/10/14

"Kiss By the Hotel de Ville" 
Robert Doisneau, 1950

This photographic genre “street Photography” is not only something I admire but also something I can relate to. I choose this picture because I want to see daily life in this perspective. I aspire to see beauty, in the every day.

Robert does not only capture a moment in time, but visually captures an experience. This photo would not happen if it weren’t for the memories or history of the couple. Thus the photo has depth emotionally, and becomes a narrative.

What is interesting about this photograph is that the people who are actually witnessing the sudden kiss are indifferent to the couples moment of passion. They are in their own world. On the contrary, I when looking at this moment cant help but to smile, and emotionally moved. This is due to the presence of a camera. I find it fascinating that from the perspective of a camera the moment becomes romantic, climatic, and eventful. Its as if the camera makes the moment real and worth remembering: this can be very ironic.

Additionally, the photo is successful as work of art. The artist considers contrast, composition, form, scale and perspective. The photo is dynamic. Some parts are blurred for emphasis and to accentuate the fast paced motion of the walkers. The couple is stopped however, in contrast to the hurried motion of their surroundings. They are separate from the rest of the picture and their environment. It creates a “lost in the moment” type of feel, which I appreciate.

My Achilles heel is obviously in romance, however, from an objective point of view, this photograph is successful as a work of art. Some argue that it is too journalist and documentary but I believe that those two characteristics contribute to the artistic element of the piece. Just because it is classified as documentary doesn’t mean its not fine art. For example, this piece is a narrative, just like any other painting in history the artistic elements are used to tell a story. I think the criticism originates from the social construct of the proper uses of a camera. A camera was traditionally used for posed portraiture and never considered an art, bit rather a method of documentation. However during the early 1900’s that purpose shifted, as photographers challenged the limitations of the camera by shooting different subjects, taking the camera in travel and most importantly photographing not just the wealthy and pretty, but the everyday and even ugly. 

By the 1950’s cameras were used to tell the truth. And this is why I love this photograph so much. The truth was not always ugly as evidence through this photograph. The everyday was not always boring. This photo captures that essence.  

Lastly, since my childhood, I have always been one to step back and watch. One of my favorite hobbies is people watching. This photograph is taken from the perspective of someone sitting in a café. Anyone could have witnessed this. The perspective that the photographer takes the photograph is inclusive. The picture becomes relatable and the moment more tangible.