Photographer Geke Minnema
speacializes in photographing individiual subjects. This image of a couple
sitting intimately outdoors stands out. The couple's passion captured in the
image obviously appealed to Geke causing her to stray from her normal focus.
The couple is highlighted more than anything else in this image. They grab the
viewer's attention from the very beginning and easily control it. The dark
trees in the background draw even more attention to the brightness encircling
the couple. Physically there are two people in the image, but they transform
into one, due to their physical positions and the emotions they exhibit. The
image uses the coloring and body language of the couple to argue that true,
peaceful love does in fact exist and can be portrayed without physical
affection.
There is no one or
anything else in the image to distract the couple, so they are calmly sitting
together and relaxing. It does not appear that the couple has to make an effort
to look peaceful. It is all natural. Their closed eyes, tilted heads, and
slight smiles are all evidence of this peace. The girl's shirt is a transparent
shade of blue, making it hard to notice on the first glance. The shirt
places focus on her long golden hair and
bare shoulder instead. On the other hand, the boy's shirt is a bright shade of
blue and stands out more than anything else in the image. The boy's bold blue
shirt makes him an automatic target and emphasizes his role in the image. Also, the bright shirt draws speacial
attention to the way the boy's arm is postioned, which alludes to his body
language.
Different shades of
yellow accompany the couple. There is a light shining on the couple, making them glow. It is especially bright
right in between the couple. This bright light in the middle of the couple
reflects off the girl's long golden hair and makes the boy's nose and mouth
shine. This bright light forces attention on the faces and tilted heads of the
couple, instead of the landscape. Even
though it is not as evident as the grass between the couple, the rest of the
golden grass is also quite bright and cheerful. The background, consisting of
dark trees, helps place emphasis on the couple and the area surrounding them.
The shades of yellow in the image are appropriate because yellow typically
represents joy and happiness. Likewise, the shades of gold represent the image
because gold commonly signifies wealth. Just looking at the image, it is easy
to conclude that the couple is joyous, happy, and rich with love. 
Along with the coloring of the
couple, their body language is also extremely revealing and important. The
proximity of the couple is one of the first things a viewer notices. The couple
is sitting so close that their hair is practically touching, and based on the
position of their upper bodies, it is likely that their knees are close to
touching. The couple is not centered in the image, which leaves a good amount
of open space to their left. This extra space reinforces the intimacy shared
between the two. Instead of spreading out they choose to stay close together.
Unfortunately, the open space to the left causes part of the boy's back to be
cut off, but this is necessary to exemplify the couple's choice to sit so close
to each other. While the couple chooses to sit close together, they do not
choose to sit on top of one another. This signifies their ability to share a
romantic moment without depending solely on physical contact. Similarly, the couple's head
position reveals their emotions towards each other. The boy and the girl are
both looking down while leaning into each other. If they were to look up, their
noses would collide, and they would be staring into each others eyes. However,
their eyes are closed in thought, and their lips are starting to form a smile
at these thoughts. They are both having the same good thoughts and the peace it
brings them can be seen on their faces. The couple appears to take a breath and
through the breath they share a powerful connection. There lies a sense of
appreciation for one another. Likewise, the boy's raised hand beside the girl
insinuates that he was previously touching the girl or that he will touch her.
Yet, in the image the boy's hand is in the air, not touching the girl in any
way, emphasizing that the couple does not have to embrace to display their
love. This simple, yet appealing image, represents true love by illustrating
the love and peace shared between the two as a spiritual, rather than physical,
connection.
The look of peace and contentment on
the couple's faces is the most attractive part of this image. Accordingly, the
image's tone is a favorite of the many people who commented on Geke Minnema's
photo. The image captures the couple's romance through their expressions, not
their physical displays of affection. Therefore, since there are no physical
displays of affection, the image forces the viewer to acknowledge the emotions
as true love instead of lust or infatuation. The image's purity symbolizes the
true meaning of love that secures itself within the couple.
Works
Cited:
Geke Minnema. 22August, 2010.
Photograph. Flicker. Yahoo!, 22 October, 2008. Web. 26 August, 2010.
