exploring the frame final prints

exploring the frame contact sheet

Alum Exhibit

Brian Powers - Entrance to Dachau and Holocaust

These two images are done by Brian Powers and are focused on a very intense subject matter. The thing that I notice first about these images is the value and the tones.  He uses very dark and cold tones to bring out the details in each picture.  The composition and subject of each photo is very different but the value and tones still persistently stick out in each which is important in a series of pictures.

The subject of both pictures is not entirely clear until you look at the title but after you see the title every detail of the picture points to the subject. The dark values, the tones, the lighting, the contrasts between light and dark all create the very sober mood that is appropriate for these pictures. I think that his objective was to make the pictures look as serious as the subject, he did not want to sugar coat anything in these pictures.

The relationship between dark and light is almost everything especially in regards to the Holocaust picture. The light comes in through the window on the wooden cubbies and a part of the floor, the middle of the picture where the hallway leads is still very very dark. The lighting really brings you around the entire photograph and focuses you on the simple details.

Both of these images are very powerful and very well composed but I don't think they would be complete without each other. They compliment each other without withdrawing any significance from the other. They make a good pair and the way they were hung with the building on top and what is inside on the bottom was also very well done.

Out of the three pictures in the assignment I thought that this one was the most interesting and pleasing to the eye. The lack of color really makes you look at the subject and how the photographer frames the picture and presents the subjects.  The picture is both very intriguing and calming.

The photographer does an excellent job of filling the frame with the subject, I think that is especially important since it is a portrait of a couple. All the attention is on those two people.  The lighting in interesting because one subject is mostly illuminated while the other is hidden in shadow except for an eye. The women who is in the light is also looking straight into the camera drawing the viewers attention right to her before their eyes wander to the man.  The man being mostly in shadow and with his arm around her brings the sense of calm and protection to the photo. Overall it is a very well done photograph; the color, position of subject, and lighting all add very good qualities to the picture and together they make it a great composition.

Response to editing activity

The top and third pictures are the ones I chose and the other two were chosen during the editing activity.  They are all similar in lighting but in the shade of blue they are unique and the angle in each is very different. I think they were chosen for their interesting angles and the different composition in each. I like each of these pictures and I think they were the best from the contact sheet. 

Blue- ContactSheet1

exported from lightroom

motion

 one stopping motion

one where only the subject is moving

one where you are panning with a subject

Depth of field

 2.8

 4

 5.6

8

 11

 16

22

#nofilter