In this portrait by Keita, we see a family of 4 standing for a photograph next to their car. While the mother with her two children are standing by the mid section of the vehicle, presumably the father is standing by the hood, cut out of the frame. The location of the figures in this portrait are puzzling, yet we can infer why they are positioned this way. The mother and children are directly center of the photo, which creates more emphasis on their bond as a family. The father having been standing in front of the car could symbolize that he values and is proud of materialistic objects, like his vehicle, which could explain why he is not entirely in the photo. I found this photo interesting because I have seen many others that carry the same format as such. My grandmother has a picture of when she was young that bears a resemblance to this photo’s layout. It was a family portrait that consisted of her parents, herself, her sister, and two brothers. They were positioned all together standing in the center of her father’s car such as the mother and her children in the photo by Keita, but unlike the separation of the father in this photo. My grandmother tells me that her father was always proud of his 1958 Buick Roadmaster, and rightfully so, but the choice of standing with the family rather than broken off with the automobile tells a lot about his morals and pride for his family.
http://www.seydoukeitaphotographer.com/en/photographs/groups-families/#12
Good observations of an unusual composition of a family shot. I agree it is puzzling.