An eye for an eye

Elliot Erwitt has to be one of my favorite photographers throughout these assignments. He's very talented and really utilizes the art of simplicity. I LOVE that he uses black and white. I feel like that adds a huge aura of mystery and complexity. As I was looking through his photographs, my eyes automatically fall on this one. There is so much symbolism it's hard to even pick out one. I think this definitely can portray the idea that if you're narrow minded with things and only look at things from one perspective, you will be extremely jipped out of life. This also can have an obvious meaning, the boy may live in a violent town and there may have been previous gun shots to a school bus. I think the boys eyes are beautiful and captivating. I think this always makes you want to see his other eye. Which in a way symbolizes that in life, we always want what we previously had or what we can't have. I think the dynamic and the depth of the photograph is exquisite. I also think that this photograph wouldn't have been as interesting if seen in color. I think the boys jacket adds a lot of character to this picture. A simple t shirt may have not been as effective at defining his eyes and expression. Overall, he's a great photographer!

Colorful Clarity

                        This photograph is possibly the most paradoxical image I've ever seen. There are so many conflicting features it's hard to completely understand the full scope of why Alec took the photograph. Like we mentioned in class, blue is a serene calming color that should give a sense of peace to the viewer. However, here the blue is conflicted with the scared look on the little girls face. Alec is really clever. There is almost a perfect balance of symbolism throughout this. The girl looks nervous but calm at the same time. Her straight calm hair contradicts her funky shorts. The sleek leather is counter acted by the rough pavement below the car. The sharp silver on the wheel is balanced by the surrounding solid black color giving the image a steadiness and clarity that is needed. The intense weight of the car is balanced by the small little girl. This picture gives me such uneasiness because we don't know what the fate of the little girl is. Her parents could have left her to sit and rest in the car after a long day at the beach. Or, she could ultimately be with a stranger who has taken her away from her comfort and home. This picture is so complex it's difficult to feel alright appreciating the art so much. This picture could be seen as completely balanced. I think this image would've been so interesting in black and white. I'd love to see an edit of that. Black and white would add a sense of peace to the image. I think the colors really add the uncertainty of the fate of the girl because of the moods they bring. All in all, I really enjoyed this photograph.

Hard to let go of the Sadness

I really appreciate Annie Leibovitz's work. It's so raw and controversial. I love that she takes great steps in photographing however she wants without a care. I have done a project on her before and it was specifically on the photograph she took of Miley Cyrus. The picture was so controversial because it was when Miley was young (around 15). Annie took a very revealing picture of her because it showed her entire back and as a minor it was seen as bit too mature for her.
I love this image above. I think it's so well done. The blue gown (blanket?) looks like I could reach my hand into the picture and feel the silk. Her hair contrasts the rough wooden table. I think the contrasts in this picture are great because it gives it great depth and complexity. I also like how this picture is almost black and white but the only thing keeping it from being complete is her dress and hair. They add wonderful elements to the picture. Her hand on her face looks very innocent and intriguing. She draws you in to the torment or pain shes going through while looking through the book. It's interesting that shes grabbing at the book because it looks very important to her yet, is causing the sadness in her face. I think the fact that shes wearing very minimal makeup is a clever scheme to make the image have an aura of simplicity. Overall I think Annie did a great job with this one.

Nothing is black and white

This photograph stuck out to me the second I looked through all of his amazing photographs. One of my favorite things by far is his ability to shoot so spectacularly in black and white. It's a vision in itself. Many times black and white may not work because of its ability to take too much away from a photograph. However, all of these photographs put so much in that the black and white only enhanced.

I chose this image specifically because I feel like it says so much without even trying. I love that its a self portrait where he's not looking directly in the screen. Also, the way he's holding his camera makes it appear to even be a mistake. I think it's so clever because it gives the image a quirkiness. I also love how hes deep in concentration because that allows the .viewer to focus in on what they want to focus on. It gives the viewer freedom. Many times a photographer will photograph someone for a portrait and their eyes would draw you in immediately. However, because he is looking off to something that the viewer can't see it gives the viewer an opportunity to create their own interpretation and decide what is significant. I think his shirt is brilliant, even though he may not have even planned it. It balances out the harsh whites and blacks.

The Trinity

This photograph is aesthetically beautiful but also has so much meaning in other aspects. Photography wise, the framework does so much to exhibit a captured moment and enclosed picture. It gives the church concealment and enables it to be closed off with the gates. I love three crosses because it shows repetition which is easily a great feature that some photographers like to subtly throw into their pictures. I think it gives it dimension. Also, there is of course religious symbolism with the three crosses: The holy trinity. I'm not sure if the photographer was Christian himself, but he definitely caught on to the religious symbolism here.
The sun from above signifies Christ washing over the church and all of its church-goers. I love the lighting. It really adds a sense of clarity and peace to the photograph. I think it was picked very cleverly because a late afternoon/ nighttime setting wouldn't have worked so well. I really love the steps leading up to the church because it leads your eyes right to the destination and allows you to focus in on the white cross in the middle. All in all, this was a phenomenal picture in my eyes; one that you'd scarcely find because of its rare beauty, lighting, and form.

Safe and Sound

This image photographed by Michael Kenna really struck me as unique and complex the first time I saw it. The black and white definitely gives this image incredible depth and meaning. I find it really interesting that he chose to make the sky white. It shows that he photographed it in the fog. Whenever I see mystifying photographs like this, the sky is usually dark, almost black, with "unknown" written all over it. The texture and direction of the water is leading to the person taking the photograph and viewing the image. I feel like that creates a personal feel to the photograph that allows the viewer to identify with the setting. The rocks add so much definition. Because the water and the black background are so smooth and clear, the rocks add dimension that I feel was crucial to the complexity and understanding of the photograph. I don't think this image would have been nearly as significant had it been kept in color.
As for symbolism, the sky paints this eerie picture of a life filled with confusion that yearns to find understanding. The water is the rush of experiences one has in their youth that allow them to ride the shallow river at the end of the journey. The rocks are the deposit and terrain of life. They represent the hardship and anguish one has to climb in order to feel the warm river water under their eroded and tired feet. What I find so intriguing about this image is the water actually leads into the rocks. This can signify the idea to never enjoy just being comfortable. Many times, we enjoy a comfort zone we have created for ourselves where everything is defined and clear and stable. However, this can lead into a life where nothing is certain. When we don't take chances and think outside of the box of the "known", life may throw us a curve ball and force us onto the rocks.

There's more than what meets the Eye

Just a note: This blog post is a bit unconventional.

At first, I was reluctant to choose this image. Marilyn Monroe is one of the most well known women in history. However, everyone seems to have a misconstrued perception of her and her life. Societies view of Marilyn is completely fabricated and altered. Everyone believes her to be a young independent woman who changed the world with her infamous beauty and talent. This is not actually the case. There is no doubting how gorgeous she is or her trendsetting ways. However, her talent and past has been talked up to be anonymous with the truth.
Here are some real facts before I delve into the complexity of this photograph. You may wonder why I'm including all of this prior to analyzing the photograph. I believe that in order to correctly see where I'm coming from with my interpretation this is a sort of necessity.

Marilyn's real name is Norma Jeane Mortenson. I'd like to let Wikipedia take it away here because this story is not only alarming but merely a glimpse into Marilyn's "unspoken" life: (ps. Gladys was her mother). "Gladys was mentally unstable and financially unable to care for the young Norma Jeane, so she placed her with foster parents Albert and Ida Bolender of Hawthorne, California, where she lived until she was seven. One day, Gladys visited and demanded that the Bolenders return Norma Jeane to her. Ida refused, as she knew Gladys was unstable and the situation would not benefit her young daughter. Gladys pulled Ida into the yard, then quickly ran back to the house and locked herself in. Several minutes later, she walked out with one of Albert Bolender's military duffel bags. To Ida's horror, Gladys had stuffed a screaming Norma Jeane into the bag, zipped it up, and was carrying it right out with her. Ida charged toward her, and their struggle split the bag apart, dumping out Norma Jeane, who wept loudly as Ida grabbed her and pulled her back inside the house, away from Gladys.^[19] In 1933, Gladys bought a house and brought Norma Jeane to live with her. A few months later, Gladys began a series of mental episodes that would plague her for the rest of her life. In My Story, Monroe recalls her mother "screaming and laughing" as she was forcibly removed to the State Hospital in Norwalk."

Marilyn suffered a very troubling childhood. Her father and mother separated before she was born and she, herself, never accurately knew who her father was, seeing as she was the third of Gladys children from different fathers. At the age of 11, she was sent to live with her Mother's best friend and her husband. Her husband had attempted to sexually assault Nora and this was the end of that living arrangement. Throughout her life, she dealt with severe stress and anxiety due to self esteem issues and lack of confidence. She went through a roller coaster of not being able to find a job and being on one successful movie titles. This was sure to do a bit to her emotional stability. She was forced into shooting nude to gain PR but was only paid once for this. Fast forward into the end, Marilyn was found dead in her home by her psychiatrist because of barbiturate poisoning. These are anti-convulsants and hypnotic drugs that are typically used for surgery's. However, have been used many times by celebrities who then passed away from overdose
All in all, Marilyn did not live a typical glamorous life. All people seem to really see are her infamous hair and red lipstick. Not to mention her quotes about being yourself no matter what anyone thinks. This photograph completely reflects the idea that Marilyn was internally struggling. Her eyes look distressed and it seems like there's a deep hurt there. It's easy to misunderstand this photograph and her life by her poses. She's posing in a manner that many people would describe to be "damsel in distress" like. On the other side, she truly does look strong and independent. The photograph adequately represents that in the fact that shes alone, in the middle of no where, in a vehicle. But she looks completely poise, still and confident. The black and white also adds an element of mystery. And I feel like that is the entity of Marilyn Monroe, mystery. Her life ended short at a young age of 36. There are many things we don't know about her and I feel that that adds to her complexity and demeanor. 

Fear of the Inconclusive

While looking through Alex Webb's photographs, I sensed a different form of technique that I was never really exposed to. He seems to love to photograph people in their completely raw setting and I feel like there's something so beautiful about that. I love that he doesn't romanticize his pictures and their settings to be more than they really are just to please the audience. His photographs are definitely very symbolic and every element in the picture adds a different meaning and feel.
This photograph definitely stood out to me as soon as I saw it. It can be interpreted in so many ways. I believe that it represents how freeing life can actually feel. I feel that a lot of people are almost suffocated and irritated just to live their day to day lives. That is one of the greatest tragedy's that one can witness. Life has so much potential to have everything you could ever dream of. But, if we as humans succumb to a mundane cyclic lifestyle, there is no doubt that we would one day dread waking up the next morning. The man in this photograph appears to have intentionally jumped and expected it to be a lot less vigorous than it turned out to be because of the motion of his body. The photograph was so well done for one reason in specific: he didn't include the mans face and his expression after jumping. I felt like that was a very clever choice on his part. Photography should always leave  room for interpretation, any art should. By showing his face, I feel it would've given away the beauty of the photograph. I love that the clouds are gray and are very difficult to tell what type of weather there is outside. I felt that that was symbolic for the man's enjoyment. As the viewer, you aren't completely sure if the man is enjoying it just as much as you are unsure if it is sunny or gloomy. The gleam of trees in the far left side of the picture give an element of peace. It seems unusual to say but the tree's actually reassured me that the man would be okay after this picture.

Indescribable Directions

While researching Henri Cartier- Bresson and looking through his photographs, this one definitely stuck out as a defining image. It represents so much and could mean a multitude of things to different people looking at the photograph. There are so many things that I love about this picture. First and foremost, I'd have to say my favorite kind of photography is black and white photographs. I feel like it gives the image so much depth and dimension while allowing the viewer to infer the details of the picture. I feel as though  that more often than not, we are simply handed things to absorb, accept and move on. However, black and white photography gives you half the story and allows the reader to fathom his/her own ending; which I believe is one of the most beautiful things about photography.

This photograph is extremely symbolic of life. It begins with this chaotic and unruly tree that has leaves that don't seem to have a beginning or end. It ventures into organized chaos and eventually becomes this stable and beautiful line of trees that have a distinct direction and purpose. The beautiful line of trees eventually vanish into nothing, as if they had never existed. The grass on the same also begin complex and jadded and lead into a constant field of discipline and formality.
I believe that this is really what life is. We begin our lives unsure of who we are and what we want or what we plan to accomplish. And eventually, all of the little details fall into place and we become who we were meant to be all along. We create stable and distinct lives that mean something. Instead of chaos and distractions. we form complexity and dimension. And life begins to make sense.

The Massive Mind

This image really stood out to me when I first saw it. It's so dynamic and filled with complex explanations. I feel like this is one of the best ways to interpret the human mind at every moment of the day. As seen in the photograph, there's a reflection of a building, street with vehicles driving by and also a portion that is just his face. This exemplifies the millions of different things that are going through the human mind at one point in time. We are constantly surrounded by different people and locations. It's so hard to even grasp our thoughts at times of the day because of how much is going on all the time. There is never a single moment where were not thinking of something.
 I think that the black and white gives it so much depth and dimension. The man looks very surprised and almost helpless as if he's drowning in all of the things that he's trying to absorb at one time. He could be trying to cross the street, while also thinking about work and his family. It's a very defining picture because I feel like in this day and age everyone seems to be stressed about something and everything at the same time. Society has become so hectic and endlessly busy that human beings aren't given a chance to swallow what little they can while they're able to. I love that the photograph is set in a serene park-looking setting. I feel like it shows that you could be in the most serene environment ever and could still feel completely overwhelmed. It's almost depressing how involved the photograph is because it represents how many things could be going on in one's mind at a time.