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“La Madame” by Roger Guetta

La Madame here does not translate as ‘The Madame of a bawdy house.’ It’s my interpretation of a Grand Dame. A woman who has contributed much in her life. She is comfortable in her skin. Her gaze expresses a demand for the truth. Only a fool would try to mislead her.

Of course this is a composite, as most of my images are. As I layer and add textures, mysteries are revealed to me and I instinctively gravitate towards uncovering hidden aspects of the human condition.

So… I channel my elation, my pain, my optimism, my apprehensions into my pieces to hopefully provide a visceral experience for the viewer.

It is a way to express my visions that are beyond the capacity of words. I work with a quiet mind, where there isn’t any inner chatter. Only balanced decisions to keep the process reviving at a comfortable speed. La Madame went through many incarnations until I found the correct expression. Nothing in the process is permanent or solid. There are many points of perception in the fulcrum of many simultaneous moments.

What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!

Her eyes. Her attitude.

If you would be able to make this photo once again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?

Maybe give her a name.

Roger Guetta shared this photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.

Photographer

Roger Guetta, Montreal, Canada

WEBSITE

Equipment and settings

iPhone SE and internal applications.

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Comments (5):

  1. Gary Woodard

    October 17, 2022 at 22:41

    Your words speak strongly of your vision. I am not sure I easily see your words in the image without considerable examination, speculation. There is much that is interesting such as relying totally on the face and the red garment. Coiffure often is a statement. Here it is flexible, much that could possibly be coiffure but not definitely . There is no discernable background to talk of the woman. Nothing that clues a location, an interest, a reason for her gaze. From that she is disconnected and left to define the image on her own. I assume the intent is to obscure, to create the mystery you mention. The red garment with its interesting arrangement of buttons, covers her neck up to her chin and speaks to a degree of sophistication or at least a fashion that rises above the ordinary. Actually, it has a feel of military, or more likely fencing attire which presents its own interesting attempt at interpretation. Only the eyes and the lips seem to speak strongly and both strike me as tight, hard, maybe unwavering. The eyes appear piercing, the lips sealed. You comment that ‘her gaze expresses a demand’. You say, ‘for the truth’. I am not sure about the fool, but to me the eyes seem accusatory. There is no feminine softness or indication of forgiveness. Maybe that is simply my unfamiliarity with Grand Dames or even bawdy houses. It is a very interesting image. One that pulls the viewer in, one to attempt to understand, to answer the questions it presents which is always a good use of art, of imagery. I am relatively new here so please forgive me if this is not the proper application of comments. I do not mind being corrected.

    Reply
  2. Michael grover

    October 24, 2022 at 12:37

    I just love Roger’s work,always makes me smile.Thank you,Roger.Keep going!

    Reply
  3. Marianna

    October 25, 2022 at 18:05

    Always intriguing and always enjoyable. Great work, Roger.

    Reply
  4. john

    October 28, 2022 at 14:36

    truly expressive work, well done, love everything about it…

    Reply
  5. Louisa May Belanger

    November 15, 2022 at 02:56

    Roger never disappoints, his images draw me in immediately when I see them. Love his work very much!!!

    Reply

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