'The hug' by Nan Goldin

Nan Goldin, 1968, New York City.

Howarth, S. and Alexander, M. D. 2005. Singular images;

Essay on Remarkable photographs. New York; Aperture.

Thought Nan Goldin’s career, Goldin has focused her photography around personal relationships if her friends and lovers. Goldin’s 'the hug' conveys the complexities of love in brief terms, bring thought to the subjects lives, thoughts, and feelings. As a stand-alone photograph, 'The hug' withholds extreme passion and, with the focus of the lovers wrapping around one another, a strong sense of determination. As their identities are unknown, I feel it heightens the quality of being so powerful and mysterious, especially with the inclusion of intimacy.

The couple is intertwined in each other arms, and have almost barricaded themselves away from the world in a firm embrace. Even the woman's hair seems to barricade their faces, as if for protection. The barricading if view strengthens the desire to know what they look like and who they are.

The shadow the left if the photograph adds to the feeling if combination and adds to the sense of them having their own private place. This shadow limes around their bodies and heads, which suggests a loss in identity. The present of the shadow becomes so strong it could be interpreted as a third person, adding a haunted feeling to the image.

As well as the shadow, the photograph includes the light of the flash, bringing drama to the image. This portrays how photography also puts some I the most private of encounters in the spotlight and creates a stage-like feel.

When analyzing the image, it reveals domination within the couple as one person usually slightly dominates the other. The hug itself appears too powerful to just be a friendly hug which I feel conveys a strong sense if attraction. All these elements are what makes 'the hug stand out, as it includes so many different powerful elements that, together, make an extraordinarily powerful photograph.