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.