Heather Dina’s’ Photograph – Two Brides, At Your Feet
Heather Dina’s’ Photograph – Two Brides, At Your Feet
The first impression that I got from the portrait was different from what it has been named by the artist. I noticed only one bride at the feet of a man. However, closely seeing the photography, I was able to sense how Dina’s had induced the perception of two brides. The portrait evoked a reserved, raw and intense feeling within me. It reflected the gesture of helplessness and domination simultaneously, introducing the subject of strength and humility. I noticed desertion in the bride while domination in the man standing beside him.
The photograph portrays the marriage condition of previous century and modern era. It also highlights the women rights, rites of passages, sexual identity, societal and cultural standards. It is also a reflection of identity issues of women. Despite of immense technological advancement, women are still treated harshly in many cultures. Men feel superior over women, depriving their wives of even their basic rights. The picture shows two brides sitting down on the feet of man. It shows how least interested is man in the bride. He is only concerned about his ego and domination.
The photograph is properly focused including all its components. No part of it is blurred unintentionally or intentionally to emphasize on a certain composition or action. However, the prime focus of the photo is the brides. Therefore, the picture included only the upper half of the man beside them; in order to capture the shot of brides completely the men’s portrait is half cropped. Similarly, the artist has not captured any dust or technical distractions to prove her stance. The purpose and aim are clear and implicit. However, Dina’s has carefully chosen the place for her shoot. She has chosen an old warehouse where the subjects are a kind of decayed urban interior. This developed a strong relationship between the mood of the picture and its theme. The viewer was able to relate himself in a better manner.
The picture includes only two subject matters to appear less crowded. The layout of picture is symmetrical between its components and props. Moreover, Heather Dina’s has not chosen bright and attractive colors for the photograph. She has faded dull, dark, and ruddy colors to contrast with her portrait’s theme and purpose. The black and brown theme adds sadness to viewer’s mood. The darkness reflects wrong acts. The light reflects hope and joy. Therefore, Dina’s has carefully planned the theme of her picture. The tonal change in the picture is the mysterious part. The color change in the bridal dress of the woman shows that there are two women instead of one. This was the hidden part of picture, which can only be observed if one sees it densely and closely.
Dina’s herself relates the picture with her childhood. Perhaps, she only intended to examine and question gender roles and differences, supremacy of men and cultural morality. This was also the reason she chose marriage as her theme of the photograph. The image makes me feel sad and wretched. It is depressing to know how women are mistreated even in this era. All girls marry with cherishing dreams. The photograph showed how dreams of women are broken into pieces. Dina’s’ theme of her photograph plays an important role in making people realize about women rights and identity. *
