Inspiration
Bruce Davidson
If I am looking for a story at all, it is in my relationship to the subject – the story that tells me, rather than that I tell”
But then do road trips not include other situations such as the travelling circle who are always travelling, musicians who always seem to be on the road…
The image above was captured in black and white by photographer Bruce Davidson. It appears to depict the interior of a vehicle, possibly a truck or caravan, with members of a travelling circus. The photograph is less exposed and darker at the top left-hand corner than in the bottom right corner; this could be due to items hanging up and casting shadows.
Both of the people in this image are dressed for their circus show, with white painted faces and cosmetics to highlight particular traits. They perfectly balance the photograph by being organically posed on their beds, one in the front and one in the background. It is unclear whether it is showtime, they have finished their work for the day, or they are leaving for another location. The photograph’s lower left corner shows movement in some way suggesting the vehicle is on the move.
Davidson on a bus captured a different kind of road trip. It depicts a Brooklyn gang on their way home in the medium of black and white. The capture is really natural and true to life as if they were unaware they were being photographed.
It shows five of the gang across the entire foreground, and based on their body language, they appear fed up and depleted. Davidson appears to have been quite close when capturing this image, as there is no gap at either end of the image, leaving two of the gang part viewed. What is notable is that those two people strike the most dramatic position in comparison to the others. It is fascinating to consider that even in history, the left-hand side shows two black individuals, while the right-hand side shows three white people, with a gap between the two sides. The background shows other vehicles following the bus, on what would seem a normal day.
Jim Marshall
This black and white image above is of Mr Cool – Jim Marshall, a celebrity music photographer. It shows a well-dressed gentleman wearing a suit, sunglasses, and a camera around his neck. His posture says he is peaceful and at ease, as he sits in the rear of a car with the door open. It could be a self-portrait taken with another camera, or it could have been taken by someone else. The shadowing would suggest the weather is bright and sunny..
Jim Marshall captured this colour photograph of Janis Joplin in 1968. The phrase “The Decisive Moment” came to mind, since it has a very tight crop, implying that it was captured in a flash.
Looking at the bottom of the image, there is a registration number with the letters “VAN 990” that is attached to the car, which I can only describe as “wow.” The entire chassis of the car has extraordinary and unique colourful paintwork. Janis Joplin, a musician and singer, is seated on the car’s roof in a free-spirited attitude. She is dressed in black garments with a lighter coat of fur-like material together with a matching hat. The overall look of Joplin, the nakedness of the trees, and the dullness of the background all point to a chilly winter day. It makes no difference to the image’s impact since it oozes joy, happiness, and optimism!