Magnum Photographer - Harry Gruyaert

        Harry Gruyaert is a Belgian Photographer who publishes work through Magnum Photos, and is currently posted on the website for his series titled Homeland. Homeland features images he's taken over the past half century of Belgium. Most famous are his photos from trips to Morocco, Egypt, India and some of Ireland. However, on the Magnum website, here are my favorites that caught my eye:

Ostend, Belgium. 1988.

        Some may argue its very simple, and honestly that is why I think it works. To explain, in a lot of his work everything I see speaks color and yet the scenes and places he photographs offers not the brightest or most perfect light. Just because there isn't a whole lot going on in the foreground I think that leaving that space open makes the photograph. It makes my eyes jump around from the neon red sign to then again the horizon. Trying to translate the small sign, I am getting pieces of what sounds like a small plate, or possibly a desert restaurant... maybe. Regardless, the scene itself pulls me in to where I finally realize that it is from behind glass as I pick up small reflections of light. Assuming it was done on purpose, I continued to see this trend in a lot of his photographs. I think that maybe Gruyaert is describing a perspective, or maybe a scene he cannot touch. 

Antwerp, Belgium. 1988.

        Another photograph that caught my eye was of Antwerp, Belgium, by Harry Gruyaert. I really love this photo as it screams this fluorescent green and the condensation on the glass just gives an almost surreal sci-fi look. Even then, I love how the man sitting on the bench inside is still strong in his white color to contrast the green interior as well as the dark environment outside continues to play into this nice contrast and a beautiful gray to green combination. Once again, this theme of glass and reflections are portrayed, but so is his use of visually appealing color. The photograph gives an out of this world feel, as if inside this laundromat is a completely different world than outside. In addition, at first I didn't understand why Gruyaert kept the bicycle in the picture, but trying to image the picture without it, I don't think it has the same effect. Having the bicycle included I think it pushes me to see the outside enviroment rather than just focusing inside.  
 

Metro. Brussels, Belgium. 1993.

        Lastly, another photograph that I really love is Metro taken in Brussels, Belgium. Again, Gruyaert includes this reflection or glass theme which I really think adds something unique to the photo. Even then, I love the beautiful color matching of the wall art and then the seats/color of the train. It is framed perfectly with the cheetah right in front of the mans head, almost breaking the barrier between real life and fictional art. Furthermore, I also really like how the reflection or refraction of the man sitting on the left is more faded compared to the inside man. By looking at this man, you can almost just faintly begin to see Gruyaert with his camera. As for theme, I am almost taking away a economic story, one where the more wealthy man, the gentleman sitting on the train is being attacked. In the reflection we see a man maybe of lower class who is possibly wishing he was on the train. I may be reading too much into it, but the framing and perspective I see is a man of lower status envious of the man on the train... again, probably a far stretch, but an interesting photo nonetheless.