Black and white figure photography

This is large black and white figure photography of a woman, poolside in the shade. Shadows of palm fronds radiate from the edges. Dappled light punctuates. Static posture and energetic lines compete for thematic prominence.

She lays with both legs bent, one crossed tightly under the other. One knee stretches towards her ribcage. The other leg extends towards a corner of the frame. Her extended hand similarly crowds the right edge of the composition. The upper portion of the image is reserved for a swimming pool, and her other arm is tucked behind her back rather than extending in that direction.

Patterns of varying scale are present throughout the image. Dark pebbles occupy most of the visual space. The nude figure is smooth and bright. Shadows from vegetation overlay every surface, including the bottom of the swimming pool. The woman’s hair presents a microcosm of textural detail.

Her eyes are wide open and she stares blankly forward. We are left to wonder if she is in a trance or possessed in some way. Although her pose alone sparks curiosity, her expression is eerie.

Bold lines from palm fronds criss cross over the nude woman’s figure. Rays of light define her curves through a patchwork of glowing shapes. Ovals and elongated swaths of light create a counter-melody to the lines of her body.

Shadows merge with the top, bottom, and left edges of the image. A line of bricks runs just off horizontal through the upper half of the image. The repeating pattern of bricks stands out as distinct in this image. This row of shapes separates the nude figure from the swimming pool. The water in the pool is still and without reflections, leaving it almost invisible.

The overall mood of this large artwork is dark, quirky, almost like a frame from a black and white movie. Framed on the wall, the effect should be bold and powerful.