Photo Credit: Brigitte Lacombe, Photographer Vanity Fair Magazine, December 2010
In its December 2010 issue, Vanity Fair Magazine published in print and online an article about Italian millionaire Jean Pigozzi. To preface this piece, a photo of Pigozzi is presented. The caption explains that he is driving his 1963 SIMCA 1000 at his home in France. Photographer Brigitte Lacombe could have easily shot a symmetrical, standard portrait. She decided, however, to create an expressive, compositionally interesting, and colorful photo for the readers.
When I saw this photo, I was struck by how Lacombe created a sense of environment in her picture. Just from looking at the photograph, I can assume things about Pigozzi. First, I guess that he is of means. It takes a rich man to own a nice, blue car along a pebbled driveway. Because of the foliage in the background, I assume that he lives in a warmer environment in a secluded area. At the very least, he is able to build a landscape around his home that creates privacy. In his book, Photo Idea Index, photographer Jim Krause stresses that every component of a photo, from the background to the subject, contributes to a story. The components of this published photograph give me a sense of who Pigozzi is and where he comes from.
On a more technical note, the composition of this photo is visually appealing. Pigozzi, the subject of the shot, is framed by the open window of his car. The eye follows the linear nature of the car door, which lead to Pigozzi's profile. The point of view is tilted up slightly, perhaps suggesting the dominance of this multi-millionare, but it is at such a small angle that it doesn't distract the viewer. The cropping is interesting because you cannot see the second half of the fancy car, but there is risk of what Krause calls a bad tangent between the left edge of the frame and the silver bumper.
In addition to the composition, the wide range of colors keep the viewer interested. The background has a fairly neutral value, except for the bright green leaves which you can see through the car window. These leaves frame, and therefore highlight, Pigozzi's face. The most striking color combination, however, is the value contrast between the blue car and Pigozzi's yellow jacket. The odd harmony of the colors attract the eye to the subject. Towards the bottom of the frame, there is a small triangle of yellow fabric coming out of the blue car door, adding humor to the story. The photographer also uses lighting to highlight the reflection of the hubcap and the bumper, as well as create a dramatic shadow in front of the car.
Based on the concepts outlined in Photo Idea Index, it is clear that Lacombe’s photograph of Jean Pigozzi is visually appealing and tells a great story. It is a fantastic introduction to his life before the article even begins.
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