Photo Challenge

                                                              Balance

                                                             Texture

                                                                        Pattern

                                                                     Contrast

                                                         
                                                                Symmetry

 

                                                                      Depth

Triptych Project

Critique Assignment

 Critique: Photo #1

http://lightbox.time.com/2013/12/02/time-picks-the-top-10-photos-of-2013/#1

*The photograph was taken during or following the bombing at the Boston marathon. The photographer is most-likely an onlooker, or a news reporter. This photograph is taken under dangerous circumstances, after a serious bombing scare in America. The photograph reveals pure chaos, with cops running frantically, a dumbfounded elderly runner laying on the ground, and the remaining runners fearfully running in the background. The thing I dislike about the photo is the appearance that the cop is not concerned with helping the elderly runner on the ground in front of him; he is looking off to the left. Another cop is running towards the right with her gun in hand. I believe it correctly captures the chaos and fear of this occurrence that day. The figures in focus are the cops and the runner laying on the ground, while the runners and onlookers in the background are out of focus, making the depth of focus moderate. Distractions are the following: smoke from explosions, pieces of clothing or items scattered across the street, the brightly colored cop vests, the runner's shirt, and the many bright colored flags flapping in the wind. It has moderate contrast, due to the vivid colors of the cops in the foreground, but the way the fog/ smoke dulls the other objects and people in the background. The emotional impression captured from this photo is pure fear and shock. The cops are struggling to continue their duties, while trying to help control this terrifying situation. 

Critique: Photo #2

          http://nypost.com/2013/12/31/best-photos-of-2013/#1

*The photo is taken during the beginning of a military funeral ceremony. The photographer captures fellow troops carrying the casket of a fallen soldier away from the military aircraft they embarked on. There are two soldiers saluting the men carrying their fellow brother. The one thing I somewhat dislike about the photo is the area and span the photographer decided to capture. From this perspective, you are unable to see the place they are heading, where I am sure there are more men and women waiting to say their goodbyes. Though I feel this way, I believe the aircraft is captured because it possibly symbolizes the soldier's attachment to the military, possibly by the U.S. Navy or Air Force. The color withholds deep contrast throughout the blues of the sky, which may also add to my interpretation that this fallen soldier was part of the Air Force. The aircraft is in focus, while the soldiers are out of focus in the background. I really like the color and placement of the back end of the aircraft. This photo has a sad, but honorable emotional impression, with the fellow soldiers and the two whom are saluting in the background. 

Parts of Critique

Class Critique Details & Requirements 

Examine the photograph. Note your first impression upon visually taking in the entire photo, then study all of the details of the photo, being sure to view every component both singularly and in relation to the overall composition.

Discern the facts of its taking.  Who is the photographer? Where and when was it taken? What was the purpose or circumstance of the photograph being taken?

Describe the image in detail.  Use precise language to identify all of the visual elements you can perceive. Ex. "The boy in the corner" would be "The young, frightened boy, huddled in the corner".

Decipher what you like and dislike about the photograph. A photo critique generally begins with a basic impression of what you feel works for the photo and doesn't work for the photo. You don't have to share these perceptions; they are, rather starting points for further analysis.

Address the technical components. Try to be as objective as possible when covering the technical elements of a photograph.

Focus-Determine whether the photo is properly focused, or if it is unintentionally blurred by way of technical error. Note the use of depth of focus (depth of field) if it is in evidence.

Dust and other technical distractions-Did the photographer capture unwanted dust or glare in the photo? 

Color-Not all photos need to represent colors as they would appear to the unaided eye, but the photograph's use of color should be intentional and relevant to the photo. Faded, dull or ruddy color tones may be the product of technical error.

Lighting-Too much or too little lighting may result in a number of technically sub-par photography results. Where is the light coming from? Does it flatter and enhance the subject?

Exposure-This pertains to the length of time the camera was enabled to take in the image and affects the lighting and contrast. A higher exposure allows more light to filter in, and may result in too-white highlights, while a lower exposure may result in a too-dark photo with muddled contrast lines.

Tonal Contrast-This describes the separation between the lightest parts of a photo and the darkest parts. The greater the separation the greater the contrast.
        A. High contrast, mainly pure blacks and pure whites with little gray tones.
        B. Normal contrast, equal amounts of pure blacks, pure whites and gray tones.
        C. Low contrast, more gray tones with little pure blacks or pure whites.

Address the subjective elements.

Emotional Appeal-What emotion do you feel when you look at the photo? 

Did the photographer connect with his subjects or do they look tense, posed or stilted?

Does the photograph tell a story, or part of one?  (It could be as simple as, “here are my kids who I adore” or “here’s my dog catching a frisbee.” Or a very deep one such as, “this is what poverty looks like, right in my hometown.”)

Describe the photograph in terms of your general feeling or impression. This is a subjective part of critiquing photography, and is necessary to relaying the aesthetic impact of the photo to the photographer. For example, a gritty black and white headshot may prompt this sort of description: "This portrait evokes a raw and intimate feeling, and gives a sense of the subject's humility and strength."

Adapted from: http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Photography-Critique