#seine paris

Fred van Schagen

Undoubtably, images like this acclaim the spirit of romance. Truthful romance, this excruciating yet rewarding phenomenon, tedious in its addictive manner and barely explainable sensation, impacts most of our lives without consent and control. Our lack of dominion with true romance does not stop any of us from feeling like we understand or relate subjectively to romance. The fact that this photograph is set in Paris in the 50s adds to the dramatic effect of the image, making the subject-matter of the photograph easily distinguishable. However, aside from getting an immediate allusion to the idea of romance, I am astonished by this image and how it reflects a profound understanding of romance on the part of the photographer, Fred van Schagen and the subjects of this work who are in union as a couple and in perfect harmony with their surrounding, Paris. An incalculable passing moment and perfectly set for a submissive, truthful romantic, Fred van Schagen to seal with the benediction of his eye and the eye’s relationship with his lens. That is what understanding and real romance must be. A shared harmony of elements within a passing moment beyond the subjective perception. Inclusive and real.