Cabaret

i like the lines.. retro mood..

I think it is an interesting photo, for one it has a mood, that pretty woman that seems to know what is she doing but not really concentrated, kind of bored, or absent, as if expecting something to happen. The setting looks like a luxury beauty parlor, deserted at this moment, the action will start in a while. There is no value judgment here, in the photo I mean, the photographer is just documenting a situation. I feel as an onlooker as well. Tones and contrast are very appropriated for this photo. I think that some technical improvements can be made. Her eyes are too dark, would have been much better if they got more light. Better definition would be another desirable improvement

What clues do we have to this enigma?

 

First, she's not posing formally for the photographer in any formal sense: We don't see her face in the mirror in a phony "I'm looking in the mirror setting." Either she's looking in the mirror's other side, for a genuine reflection, she's spinning it, or it's just turned casually to one side.

 

The place is pretty elegant, or it's supposed to be -- a gentleman's club, perhaps. Definitely NOT a beauty parlor, especially dressed as she is.

 

Look at the chair with the French Provincial arms (feel free to correct me) and the legs with feet. Interestingly the chair, background has feet; but hers don't show and neither does her chair -- we're too close for that -- we're close enough to her to be a friend -- perhaps her intimate.

 

And the chair, foreground is repeated by the chair, background, as is the table or platform, foreground left, echoed by the platform, right --each with a fancy chair (or two) beside them.

 

And in the background, another chair, this one also classic with shiny, decorative edges and some sort of table arrangement in front of it, suggesting maybe a 'dinner theater' or some such.

 

And her costume, elegant contemporary beauty and thinness do not suggest she's going out for a stroll on the boulevard in a few minutes; she's an entertainer, and pretty 'classy', with makeup just so, hair done well and conservatively -- nothing 'cheap' about her looks.

 

Perhaps the platform, foreground and the other, right are tables or stages on which she and others perform?

 

She's beautiful enough to attract crowds, and if others like her work at this establishment, they could fill the place.

 

So, if I'm correct, we have a casual moment prior to work at a dinner theatre (theater) or even just a club (strip or otherwise) with more than one stage. Could it be a dinner theater with legitimate theater and a chorus line? Perhaps, but my guess is probably not.

 

This probably is an upscale place for upscale people to drop big bucks for their entertainment and not feel like they're slumming so they can feel good about themselves. They want to feel upscale, so they go see an upscale, beautiful looking woman (women) at an upscale establishment and for that they are willing to pay upscale money. No riff raff here, I'm willing to bet, except for the bouncers and at the stage door. (and perhaps the management).

 

Just some meandering thoughts your photo brought to mind.

 

And no belief that I have the last word or am perfect; just enjoying the exercise your photo inspired.

 

BTW, I'd 'lighten' her face a little bit, just for clarity -- not much, but carefully, in keeping with her and the setting's supposed 'elegance'.

 

With respect.

 

John (Crosley)

Shades in lost times, watched with illusions in a faint

beautiful work, Milos.

I'm close to John's speculation. She could be a dancer in a night club resting between numbers and thinking of something unpleasant, far from her job. She hates this job robbing her of her (ballet) dreams and simply of her future. She's realizing there's nothing good in the years to come. That's the drama in the short professional life of dancers and sportsmen - well-paid now but what next. She's looking alone and unhappy. That's why I like the darkness in the photo. It's difficult to me to recognize the place. It looks like a shop for Renaissance furniture (?) rather than a night club.Regards. Blago

Very beautiful. She's like a doll.

yes, great photo, really

:)