Sylvia Lam
English Composition

This photograph was taken by Annie Leibovitz for the spread, “Love of a Lifetime,” for the December 2008 edition of Vogue. The spread captures the fleeting and passionate romance from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a centuries old tragic play about two young star crossed lovers. The two main subjects, Romeo and Juliet, stand on the opposite sides of the open doors in the photograph. Their positions suggests they are physically far apart, but emotionally connected.
This particular photograph captures the moment when Romeo spots Juliet at the Capulet’s party in Act 1 Scene 5. He has snuck into his rival family’s party and is overheard by Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin. He has forgotten Rosaline, his previous “love.” Earlier, he had declared his death defying love for her, but now that she is forgotten, he can focus on Juliet. His wavering heart is proof of his youthfulness.
This photograph emulates the effect of a high renaissance oil painting. Oil paints done on canvas have a tendency to give off a glow when the layers have been blended together. The lighting in the photo comes from a source above and between the two main subjects, standing on the opposite sides of the doors opening into a grand room, which is shrouded in golden light. When the viewer first looks at this image, their eyes are drawn to the two figures in the foreground. However, the opening doors leading to the warm light focuses their attention on the details in between the foreground and background. Their eyes form a triangular perspective between Romeo, Juliet and the three women. This light in the middle divides them. This is symbolic that they come from rival families and their passion for each other is unacceptable. As a result of the lighting, there are high contrasts in Juliet’s facial features. In fact, half her face is hidden in the shadow since her head is