Deconstructing Helen

I lead a class on Composition this weekend and thought of this image of Professor Helen Solterer from Duke University as an example.  At this time the professor was researching Medieval Theatrical Revivals in Modern Day France and she had reconstructed a number of masks similar to those used in the original productions.  I was struck by the possibility of using the masks when assigned to photograph her.  I positioned the mask on the left specifically because it looked like its eyes were looking in her direction; she held another mask which was also looking at her.  The added bonus was that the pointy nose of the 2nd mask pointed right at Helen.  I like the repetition of the three faces and the diagonal line created by Helen and the two masks.  Overall, I think this is a strong image made stronger by the composition and the use of black & white.