Self-shot/nude

Helmut Newton self-portrait


The brilliance of this picture is the dynamic angles of the views of the different individuals within the picture.  My eye first travels to the middle of the picture and focuses on the photographer and nude woman.  Their location within the mirror which reflects a white background behind them automatically draws my eye.  The woman's gaze makes me want to look to the right after that and I notice the woman sitting on the chair staring at the nude womans real form outside the mirror.  She seems to have a mixture of boredom but also a kind of acceptance that has led to her being interested in what is going on.  From there I look at the back of the form of the woman and the excellent way she frames the mirror in front of her with her arm and side.  This picture seems so balanced to me even tho there are so many sections and patterns and textures.  The way the different parts work together from the woman to the mirror to the woman on the right to the window or door behind her.  The pair of legs that peaks out from behind the nude woman's hip add a little bit of mystery and perhaps even a little more sensuality to the photograph.