Monday, November 15, 2010

Benjamin Leaf - Week 9


This is a photograph by David LaChapelle entitled "Bodybuilding, Cape Canaveral, Florida. 1993.
A ridiculously tanned bodybuilder with ridiculously coiffed hair is flanked by a bunch of ridiculous-looking children flexing their muscles...and one kid yawning on the right. The book where I found this image compared the bodybuilder to one of the rockets based on his pose, which I agree with. I also think that how his arms merge with the two rockets creates a further relationship between him and the iconic background, as well as his positioning on the red, white, and blue-wrapped pedestal. LaChapelle also makes a joke by exhibiting the play between the "UNITED STATES" on the rocket and the bodybuilder's exaggerated bicep. The two kids' heads on the right merge with the rockets in a way that makes them look like they are wearing dunce caps.

The photograph is taken from a camera height that is even lower than the kids' eyes, which serves two purposes: the bodybuilder looks even more like an imposing statue, and the kids are painted in a naturally "intimidating" light due to the angle, but based on the subjects this representation comes off as ironic.

The garish red and blue color scheme exaggerates the skin tones of the children, and creates another connection between the children and the bodybuilder. Color contrast is created based on skin tone; the kids seem to suck out the red around them, while the bodybuilder absorbs it. Additionally, the bodybuilder seems to almost be photoshopped into the scene, as his skin seems to reflect light in a way that no other subjects in the scene can.

The picture above doesn't do the image justice; I couldn't find a higher-quality version online.

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