Williams Henry Fox Talbot photograph “The Open Door” is an 1843 photograph whose description carries much relevance in relation to the components that make up the whole composition. The interpretation that would be drawn from the photograph based on the significance of the moods and themes depicted in the photograph are equally fundamental in making this analysis. The title of the photograph is reminiscent of the main idea communicated by the photograph. It is for this reason that the first impression created on viewing this photograph is that of the open door.
However, the conclusive aspect that the photograph is depictive of age is only obtainable by making a close and keen observation of all the components of the photograph. From this, a viewer would observe that the walls that support the door, which forms the centre of focus for this photograph, are made of worn out stones, portraying old age as a major aspect. This also forms a major theme for this photograph. Supporting this further is the color scheme of this photograph. In spite of the fact that this photograph was taken at a time when photography was being invented, the shadowing effects reinforced by the black color indicate the old age of the building and its components.
All the components of the photograph are important in describing the moods that characterize this photograph. One of these components is the broom in the foreground of the photograph, which is barely supported by its stick onto a firm wall. The angular placement and the incorporation with the symmetrical shapes formed by the wall, the door, the shadow and the window in the background are significant in showing equilibrium. This equilibrium is vital in bringing out the theme of firmness. This is however broken by the live forms of the photograph, which bring about asymmetry in the edges of the photograph.
Liveliness created by the symmetry of the components of the photograph and killed by the colors and the state of the objects that make up this photograph is vital in creating opposing themes in this photograph.
Work cited
Museum, Getty & Talbot, Henry. William Henry Fox Talbot: photographs from the J. Paul
Getty Museum. London: Getty Publications, 2002
Williams Henry Fox Talbot. The open door. 1883
