Inspirations for My First Project
- “Away From, #3” - This is a great example of asymmetrical balance, as the bonsai-looking tree appears in the lower quarter of the shot. The rest of the shot is balanced out by the shadows that this inexplicable tree casts. It is impossible to get a sense for the focal length in this photo. There is no helpful context in which to understand the actual size of the tree. This makes the photo seem unrealistic. I hope to capture asymmetrical balance and focal disorientation in my photos.
- “The Night Blooming Cereus” - I really love this photo. The cereus flower around the young child’s neck is intriguing. The flower seems to be used to cover certain parts of the child’s body, as if it is protecting them. Because of the high contrast between the flower and the rest of the image, the flower stands out leading me to believe that the flower is a kind of guard, and protects the young child’s innocence. Mann has framed the photo well, leaving the face of the child as a mystery to the viewer. I hope to use my frame well like Mann did.
- “Surfaces” - This triptych quintessentially displays uniformity at its finest. All of the photos are zoomed in on a subject that repeats itself over and over again. What attracts me to each photo is the slight inconsistency and variation that exists amongst the uniformity. Garney’s decision to put these three shots together was a successful one. Both photos on the left and right are composed, to some extent, of oblique lines. They are slightly different but my eyes are drawn equally to each one. The center photo is a splash of color, filled with hundreds of round lady bugs. Garney makes them seem larger-than-life when they are put in context with adjacent photos.
- “Exposure #46” - I am really liking triptych compilations! Probst has done an incredible job with the flow of the three photos. At first, my eye is drawn to the left-most image because of the vibrant orange clothing. Immediately, I see the hand that is blocking the shot. This is an interesting decision because the presence of the camera is recognized. The oblique lines and triangles that the hand make then draw me to the center photo because of the similar lines and triangles that are formed by the tripods. My eye is then attracted to the wet and snake-like hair of the photographer which mirrors the woman and hair in the right-most image. These three photos characterize all of the parts of photography: the subject, the camera, and the photographer. I hope to utilize oblique lines close-up techniques like Probst does.
- “Fork, Paris, France” - Simplicity! The lines of the fork (and its shadow) keep my eyes in the frame. I hope to utilize my lines in my photos to keep the viewer’s eyes in the image. The fork and plate look as if they are laying on pavement, or some surface of similar consistency. It is a cold image for a few reasons: the stark lines, the kind of lonesomeness that is felt by the bareness, and the mystery. It is simple yet intrigues me. I like it!
- “Attic” - The implied lines in this photo are captivating. I want to use implied lines in my photos. The little boy is looking intensely at the toys, which make me look at the toys. The lines that intersect and fill the image keep me interested. The lighting in the photo is also very intriguing. It surprises me because I usually think of an attic as a dark space. The darkness is evident in the photo, but there is more light than seems natural, which I like. This photo resembles a painting because of the lighting.
