1. Describe the Photograph:
Depicted in this photograph is a man in a trench coat and light toned fedora surrounded by many individuals with hands reaching out towards him. One hand is reaching out with a tag. Historically this photo was taken during World War Two during the internment of Japanese in America as a response to pearl harbor and depicts the struggle of the Japanese. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: This photograph helps to portray the struggle of the Japanese in America during world war two. The use of contrast and framing to emphasis the oppressed Japanese subject creates a more potent message than is the shot had been composed differently. These choices made by the photographer help to clearly demonstrate the quite perseverance demonstrated by the Japanese during this time as trudged on waiting for a better future. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: The darker tones of the people surrounding the subject frame his lower face and fedora drawing the viewer's focus and attention. Additionally the contrast of tones in this photograph between the light headgear and darker garments of the framing individuals creates interest and a harshness to the photograph emphasizing the image overall. Along with this the photograph uses the obstruction of the subject's eyes to create intrigue specifically surrounding the subject. |
1. Describe the Photograph:
Within the photograph a boy with curly hair is pictured between two car chairs . In the background his shoe stands out orange with his yellow socks against the monotonous blacks and grays. The subject is looking straight into the camera. The background consists of front and side window of the car cabin bringing light into the photograph. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: The photograph captures a moment within this person's life. The contrast of the photo shows the brightness of the of the individuals personality and and the moment they are experiencing. The brightness and contrast of this photo also brings an intensity to the shot heightening the emotions, and the mood of the overall shot creating a stronger impact on the viewer. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: Framing is used within the shot by the car seats to focus the viewer's eyes on the main subject. Additionally a strong contrast between the colors of the car and his shoe/ face emphasis the subject even more so. The subject is also aligned with the right most vertical rule of thirds line. Strong vertical lines also create motion and dynamics within the frame. |
1. Describe the Photograph:
Depicted within this photograph is a woman looking out the oval window of an old fashioned car with her head resting on her hand. Her gaze is off camera to the right, additionally to the right of the window is an S shaped bar or handle. The shot is also filled mostly with the car showing only a little background consisting of sky and a roof rafter.. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: Sadness and grief is well portrayed by this photograph by the tonality and darkness of the photo along with the subject’s face. This emotion is also addressed well in it’s all consuming essence. Using the car to fill the frame with darkness and focus strongly on the subject the intensity of grief and mourning is much more impactful than if the shot had been composed differently. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: This photograph contains framing using the window of the car mainly to focus the viewer’s eyes on the subject’s face and expression. Additionally it uses the car to mainly fill the frame creating a minimalist composition |
1. Describe the Photograph:
The shot frames an elderly man sitting in a recliner speaking on the phone. He is wearing a sweater and a pair of jeans with another device balanced on their his knee. Shot also contains the subject within a mirror hanging on the wall splitting the frame in half with a vertical line. The subject is also looking of camera to the right into the main light source. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: Overall the shot evokes a pensive sense of mystery. With a majority of the context cut out from the mirror framing the subject. Additionally the averted gaze of the subject also creates intrigue within the photograph about what the subject is looking at and thinking about. These composition techniques make for a well rounded photograph full of tension. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: The shot uses strong framing to focus the viewer's eye solely on the subject while simultaneously using a strong vertical line to split the frame halfway creating contrast between the light tones of the wall and the darker tones of the right half of the frame. The light creates a half lite face on the subject as well highlighting his expression of deep thought. |
1. Describe the Photograph:
The black and white shot contains a young woman in a bucket hat and coat both dark in tone. She is also holding a large newspaper with the headline "May Day" and is surrounded by a crowd of people. All the individuals within the shot have their gaze off camera and in the same direction. The entire shot is placed with a clear blue sky as the background. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: The photograph creates a sense of wonder and mystery about the woman's opinion regarding the event she is attending which is likely the May Day. The use of an of camera gaze creates a sense of wonder about the piece further emphasizing the internal thoughts of the main subject. Additionally capturing the subject surrounded by other individuals bring into context the idea that many opinions are being held about whatever the subject is experiencing making the plot of the shot even more complex. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: This shot uses strong contrast within the shot of some very dark tones and other very light tones. It also maintains a very minimalist composition with the use of a blank blue sky as the main background and focusing the shot and filling it with the main subject. The sot is also taken from below the subject giving the subject power over the scene and a sense of knowledge to the viewer. |
1. Describe the Photograph:
Within the frame an elderly woman with short white hair is pictured wearing a blue crew neck shirt. The subject is looking off camera to the right with their tongue slightly out of their mouth. Their face is framed by an orange tinted cabinet wall in the background as well. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: Utilizing an off camera gaze to the right creates mystery and intrigue within the photograph further bringing interest to the individual's unique expression. This expression evokes an interesting sense of pondering and wonderment particularly in a reminiscent way as indicated by the subject's age. These combined together create a sense of wisdom and experience within the photograph. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: The photograph uses framing to emphasize the subjects face and expression. The main subject is additionally centered on the right most rule of thirds line and the major horizontal line is place along a rule of thirds line as well. The shot is also well back lite and utilizes classic butterfly light to fully illuminate the subjects expression |
1. Describe the Photograph:
This photo contains a mother and young son seated outside under a tree sometime around mid day. Both subjects have their gaze fixed away from the camera lens and are wearing lighter toned clothes. The photograph was also taken during the great depression when relief aid was not available to those who could not meet residency requirements. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: The photo evokes a sense of wonder for the future told by the subject's eye gaze-off camera. The two seem to be wondering about their future and how it will be better than their present condition. Additionally, the tree which converges with the two subjects gives the photo a sense of strength and unity to the two subjects and their relationship. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: The use of lines such as the vertical tree in the background give the shot a dynamic feeling and create interest. Dorothea also created a well lite back lite shot of the subjects giving good light contrast to the shot. Additionally the subjects are centered on the the left most rule of thirds line. |
1. Describe the Photograph:
The main subject is seated under a palm tree wearing sunglasses sneakers and has her purse on her lap. There is a chair in the foreground and an array of potted plants surrounding a walkway to the back of the photograph. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: This shot evokes a sense of joy and activity because of the multiple curved lines in both the palm tree in the back and in the chair in the foreground. The vertical tree in the background also creates movement in the shot and guiding the viewers focus to the subject. Altogether the subject appears to be surrounded by a cheerful environment despite the subject's stoic face. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: The photograph has a strong use of lines especially the strong vertical line in the back. Coupled with the curved lines of the photo it creates a very dynamic shot. The placement of the subject is also on the right most line of thirds giving it the focus of the shot while maintainig interest. |
1. Describe the Photograph:
The Photo depicts a man leaning against some wood against a blue sky. He is also carrying some kind of sack which could be presumed to be related to cotton picking as he is described as a cotton picker in the title. Furthermore, It should be noted that this man is likely a poor farmer as these were the most common subjects for Dorothea Lange during this time period of her photography. Most easily noted is the obstruction of the subject's mouth by the palm of his hand. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: This photograph carries with it similar themes to other portraits by Dorothea Lange. These photos carry a motif of despair and tiredness that was being experienced by the poor during the Great Depression, most important in this particular shot though is the idea of oppression. The hand placed over the man’s mouth appears to symbolize the loss of his voice and story. Through this composition though, Dorothea ensures that the experience of dustbowl farmers is never forgotten. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: Like most of Dorothea’s work this piece heavily relies on simplicity using the clear blue sky as a blank background for her much more important subject. This method, used in many of her pictures, eliminates distraction and allows the viewer to fully focus on the subject. Additionally, Dorothea appears to be shooting her portrait from slightly below the subject giving him power and command over the story of the shot. Lastly, there is a strong use of vertical lines within the photography giving it movement and interest by creating triangles within the frame to please the viewer's eye. |
1. Describe the Photograph:
This Sepia toned picture was taken of a young man with curly hair as the main subject leaning against a red wooden building. In the background there is a clear blue sky and a forest of eucalyptus trees. The photo was also inspired by the works of Dorothea Lange which offers explanation for the placement of the subject’s hand over their mouth with the palm out like Migratory Cotton Picker, Eloy 1940 composed by the same woman. 2. Reflect/ Interpret the Photograph: The photography carries a similar motif as the works of Dorothea Lange seeming to exaggerate the stories of those who are not spoken for o do not seem to have a voice in society. By symbolically covering the subjects mouth both artists manage to create a mystery about what the subject has to say further intensifying the idea that the subject doesn’t have a say or is barred from expressing themselves. 3. Formal art elements are used in the Photograph: The Photograph uses many strong lines within the frame to create some dynamic within the photo. For example the diagonal line formed by the left hand of the subject creates more dynamic and interest in the photo and also serves as a leading line to the eyes of the main subject. The harsh light also splits the frame using the shadow of the building and as a result creates a defined separation. Furthermore, The partition creates an element of balance within the photo by splitting the frame. |