Unit 5 Activity 5

Unit 5 Activity 5: Landscape Depth

     In this photo, the rocks create a sense of depth for the river. The viewer will be able to look at this image and see that the river goes far beyond what they can see in the picture. The trees also help create leading lines along the river, attracting the viewers attention to the great depth of field. This image will be viewed for its natural beauty which will resonate with viewers everywhere. 

Unit 5 Activity 4

Unit 5 Activity 4: Open or Closed Landscape

Closed Landscape

Open Landscape

     Above are two pictures, one of a closed landscape and one of an open landscape. The sense of depth in the picture is much more difficult to establish, it is also a technique that a photographer may use if the sky or horizon line is not the most interesting part of the image. 

     In the open landscape, the sky is included and viewers can see the entire scene. This is a more traditional type of landscape photography. 

    Both of theses styles make the photos more open to interpretation. With the closed landscape it completely changes the scene and what viewers will see, focusing people's attention to the less obvious. In the open landscape, viewer's will interpret the landscape image as they see it in front of them.  

Unit 5 Activity 3

Unit 5 Activity 3: Landscape Photography vs. Landscape Painting

     Both of these images are examples of seascape, one of which is a photograph and the other which is a painting. The expressive possibilities in the painting are endless. A painter can look at a landscape and pick and choose what will enhance their work or eliminate what could take away from the main subject. In this case, the painter could choose to add another rock to balance the painting, or add a break  in the waves if they really wanted to. In any type of photography, the photographer has to express themselves by carefully choosing a point of view that will capture only what they want to see in the image. Photographers cannot eliminate specific objects out of the frame unless they choose a different vantage point, unlike how painters can literally create anything thing they want. 

Resources:

See where these pictures came from here and here

Unit 5 Activity 2

Unit 5 Activity 2:

Alejandro Gómez de Tuddo, Tiber River, Rome, Italy from L'objet de l'oublie Series, 2003, Lambda Print

     Both of these images are examples of photographers exploring the issues in today's society. The common theme between these two images are the fact that each deals with pollution. Both of these messages are clear and are easy to understand because the photographers make the trash or the tire in the water the main focus of each photograph. With just a quick glance, most people can easily grasp the concept that these photographers were trying to convey. 

Resources:

Check out where I got the photos here and here!

Unit 5 Activity 1

Unit 5 Activity 1: Landscape

by Walker Evans

What can you see in this image? (Objective Analysis)

Starting from the farthest reaches of this picture, I can see houses with long chimneys coming out of them, and as I look at the photo closer, I can see power lines along the left, and at the very front I can see a cemetery with the cross at the very front.

What do you think this image is about? (Subjective Analysis)

I think this image is an example of the idea that life goes on. There is clearly a cemetery that is celebrating the lives of those who have passed, but the buildings all around it shows that people still move on with their lives. The world keeps on spinning!

How effective has Walker Evans been in using landscape to communicate a point of view?

Walter Evans has been very effective in his use of landscape to communicate a point of view. He does an excellent job of capturing what he wants people to see. His main focus is the cemetery, and there are no people in their to disrupt the mood he has set in this photo.

Can this be considered as art?

Of course this can be considered art! Art isn't about how well someone can paint a picture or create a sculpture, while those things are still important, photography is a different type of art. Evans has put thought into his composition, what his subject will be, and the style of photography. This picture is his form of expression, and isn't that what art is? A way to express yourself?