PAINTING2PHOTOGRAPHY Assignment : Task 8 : De-constructing images : Robert Doisneau

This photograph shows two people who are very in love and aren't afraid of showing public affection. The composition shows them quite central in the photograph. It appears that time has stopped for these two people as everyone else in this photograph is just going about their everyday activities and there is quite a lot of movement in the image except for the two people kissing. This photograph was taken in 1950 outside the Hotel de Ville, Paris. Paris is well known for being a romantic place. I really like the movement created because it draws the viewers attention into the two people who are the focal point of the image - making it look like they have all the time in the world. I love how the picture is black and white. It contains the qualities to make a great black and white photograph : a true jet black, a bright white and lots of different grey tones.

Although this image looks very real, in actual fact it isn't. Doisneau saw this young couple kissing and wanted to take a photograph of them, but didn't dare as he thought he was invading their privacy. He then approached them and asked if they could recreate the moment for him to take a photograph of them. The couple were 20 and 23 year old aspiring actors, and were happy to recreate the kiss for Doisneau. The photograph was taken in three different locations before this one was decided on being the best one, shot infront of the Hotel de Ville. Sadly the couple didn't stay together so this photograph is almost their old relationship preserved in time. The woman in the photograph was given an original print of the image which she sold for 155,000 euros.

The other people in the image make your eye wander from the immidiate attraction to the couple in the centre of the image. The lighting in this photograph is very beautiful and illuminates the couple. The rest of the image is quite grey - this may be due to something that happened during the developing process or because it was a dull day.

This image taken by Elliot Erwitt reminds me of this photograph by Robert Doisneau. It is black and white, involves movement and a focus on a couple - which is the same as the one Doisneau took. This photograph is different because there is other couples involved - in Doisneau's the two people kissing in the photograph were the only couple there. I also like how this image shows the silhouette of the couple.