Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Absolute Brilliance

I just spotted this picture of actress Dorothy Flood on Vintage Photographs and in truth, it took my breath away. The person who posted it is Russian, and didn't caption it with the photographer as far as I can tell.



I tell you one thing, if I could meet the photographer I would shake their hand and buy him/her a drink. Maybe you just see a nice picture, but the artistry in this blows me away. Look how gorgeously that photo is conceived and shot! The tones, the complimentary colours, the feather in the hat picking up the arrows detail, the swirls in the scarf complimenting the curves of the bullseye backdrop, the perfect focus and depth of field that has her foreground hand and face in focus (and starts to drop away at about the depth of the tip of the feather in her hat), the classical Mannerist posing of the fingers...

Sigh.

No matter how crappy I feel, truly beautiful and accomplished art always lifts my spirits!

4 comments:

Thombeau said...

All this without photoshop!

The Other Andrew said...

I know, right! In fact, the photographer wasn't even sure exactly what they got until the darkroom...

Anonymous said...

Andrew, so beautiful, I love the photos you revive here. It is opportune that I happen here at the time you choose to place the pic of Dorothy.

I had a moment today at work where I thought of suggesting the Buddhist retreat Chenrezig to someone. As it turned out their daughter has suggested it, she lives near to there. Well it was timely for the woman at work and interesting that it was brought to her attention again.

I just wanted to say that you are a good man and send my love to you.

Q

The Other Andrew said...

Thanks Q! You know, I still have your handwritten no-meat meatloaf recipe on my 'fridge, and every time I look at it (or make it, which I do fairly often!) I think of you. Sending love and good wishes your way!