Baby Ride

In this introspective monochrome photograph, a woman grips the rail of her funboard, holding it against her front. The surfboard makes contact with the side of her face and her chest, creating a shadow on the bottom of the board and her body.

Theme

Her enigmatic expression is somewhere between pleased and prideful. Her eyes are relaxed, gazing down and to the side. She appears at ease, and somewhat disengaged, firmly embracing her mid-length ride. The framing creates a sense of spontaneity rather than a formal portrait.

The scene is predominantly dark, pensive grays. The edge of the board is the only prominent straight line in the image. This diagonal divides the composition into the main area with the figure, and an empty corner, creating a sense of solitude.

Composition

Her medium-blonde hair, which rests below her shoulder sweeps in an arc, her earlobe visible inside. Glints of color add a degree of depth and character to the black and white scene.

The view frames the primary subject, mostly ignoring her gear. She kneels on a small black platform; the surfboard leash is visible, attached to her ankle. In the corner, mostly cropped out, is the other end of the tether. The rounded nose and wide tail of the board, along with its fins, are cut off.