Stephen Shore

This photograph was taken by Stephen Shore, an American Photographer. During his career, Shore went on numerous cross-country trips, devoting himself to capturing banal images. This particular photograph depicts a seemingly ordinary scene inside a tobacco store. Perhaps the most evident component of the studium is the candid scene of a tobacco store in a small town. Moreover, the picture conveys the idea of a quaint, southern town with a quaint, southern young woman working inside a typical looking tobacco shop. Her name is not important, nor is the fact that she, in particular, is the subject of the photograph. Rather, it seems that the setting and the charm surrounding the setting are the most important. Also, the girl’s expression is one that conveys her seemingly contented nature. A thorough analysis of the photograph might allow the viewer some insight into the photograph, enough so that one might venture some conjecture as to the photographer’s intent. Perhaps Shore was stopping off inside a store just to buy a pack of cigarettes, but upon realizing the charm of the store, he sought to capture it.

The punctum of this photograph is the expression on the girl’s face.  The expression is simple. It is non-judgmental. It’s not afraid, nor is it confident. However, the charm that is conveyed in it compliments the entire studium. Here we have pictured a fair, plainly dressed young lady. The expression on her face is markedly casual, yet without it, the picture wouldn’t be the same. It is by her sincere expression that my attention is drawn. It is the girl’s expression that tugs at my emotions. In other words, the studium and the punctum certainly do compliment each other in this case. However, without that expression of sheer honestly, the entire picture would lose its meaning.