The Imperfection of Happines

Whether it is at a party, family outing, or just a special moment, a camera is expected to turn up. We are expected to say, “Cheese” and flash our teeth to the lens. We play the part of happy guests beautifully. We pay too much attention to who is smiling or who looks happy. We do not pay attention to the person behind the smile. What are they thinking? Did they actually enjoy the day? In Martin Parr’s Photo, I think that he makes a statement about real happiness through his technique and emphasis of particular elements.

BAM! You open the link to the picture and you see it. With a bold, cherry red lipstick the person smiles confidently to the camera. It is a smile that captures attention, in fact, that confident smile is the focus. The viewer knows very little about the picture. They know that the artist is Martin Parr and it was taken in 1999. They can see that it is a close up of a face. They can see the smile and the bits of red lipstick remnants on the teeth. However, they cannot see what is in the background or see the person’s eyes. The viewer cannot pick out any details that would explain the setting or the time period. Because of the lack of details there is a hint of mystery. Why is this person’s mouth emphasized? What are they thinking? Are they attractive? Red lipstick usually implies sex or the idea of glamor. However, this person just looks like a smiling, mature female turned slightly to the camera. The background is not important, because the photographer chose not to show the setting. Apparently, the smile is the significant idea. The intentional lack of elements and emphasis of the mouth makes the viewer think of happiness.  And somehow, the viewer almost feels happy too, because the focus is on that large smile.

I feel that this photo makes a statement about the traditional smiling photos. Those smiles that we love to see, what happens when we literally focus the lens on it? We see imperfection.  We see an overbite and teeth splattered with lipstick. We see a flawed human being, not a perfect super human. But she does look happy. To me, I believe that the photographer was trying to say that happiness isn’t perfect. Nothing is as significant as happiness. No make-up, beauty, or background can be as important as capturing a person’s joy.  It is okay to smile big and bold, because when we are truly happy we do not care what the world will see.  This photo makes me think that although we can fake smiles, we cannot fake the imperfection of happiness.

 

Happy Labor Day! :)