This photo is mesmerizing because the trees resemble a pattern and create an illusion. The composition of the photo is very full, making you want to stay and look at it a while. However, the more I look the harder it is for me to grasp what I am looking at. This creates a feeling of wonder and curiosity for me. Starting at the top of the image, we have symmetrical building with lots of rows of windows. The building is nicely lined with the frame of the image, creating a border. This is nice because it adds to this pattern theme that is present with the photo. Below that building are rows of trees in the snow, a street and more rows of trees on the other side of the trees. There also seems to be a person walking along side the street. This is normal enough, but the next section is where the photo becomes intricate.
There is an optical illusion within the next row of trees that makes it hard to tell if the trees are being reflected in water or if there are just a lot of trees. It is fascinating that Bresson could have caught this moment with a camera, because I rarely see an illusion like this in real life. What I think really draws the eyes attention in this photo is the person in the bottom left corner. They are a dark silhouette walking among the "reflection," creating even more curiosity for the viewer. Is he really walking or is he a reflection? Is he the same person walking at the top of the photo? Even if you realize there is no reflection, there is an impeccable timing with capturing the person within the trees.
I agree, picture 1 is very mesmerizing. When I first looked at it I thought they were in water because it looked like a reflection! I like how neat this image is and didn't even notice the guy walking until you mentioned it! I wonder how Henri captured this image. Picture 2 is quite confusing to me with all the concrete walls but I like how Henri got the guy looking over it adds to the picture. You can tell it was colder when this photo was taken.
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