REDEFINING THE IMAGE
DECONSTRUCTING WHAT A PHOTO IS
The lens in which we view the world through is ever shifting as we grow and experience new teachings, global events occur or as we approach new chapters in our lives. Whether it be our environment around us, our personal relationships or the trial & tribulations we face on a day to day basis; We are constantly evolving how we view the world. Categorizing things into their own organized compartments to help understand our place on earth. Photography is a medium in which could be used to explore these different “lenses” that are unique to each individual’s perspective on the world. Despite the intention of the product, there is a tangible visual description that in itself promotes collaboration and inspiration. With the idea of sharing a mass amount of unique perspectives of the same world we live in, the potential for the craft to evolve through time is limitless. As these lenses evolve we take journey into uncharted territory, constantly questioning and re-evaluating ways to capture our perspectives on the world whether it be in a more literal or abstract sense.
‘PHOTO’-LESS PHOTOGRAPH
This was interesting for me to think of a photograph through a different medium. I decided to uphold my theme of contrasting elements from my focus project. The Chesterfield red contrasts with the green from the plant. It also is a jarring feeling of packaging a plant into something that is typically depicted as toxic, such as cigarettes.
SZARKOWSKI’S CATEGORIES
- The Thing Itself
This photo of the Grand Canyon is an objective visual description of what it is, without any insinuation of a deeper meaning.
2. The Detail
This image shows a homeless person sleeping in front of a store thats holding a sale. It shows detail to the financial disparity in capitalism that are often overlooked by people passing by.
3. The Frame
The framing of this creates a convergent point by using the massive height of the buildings along with the lens in order to create a visually cohesive photograph. The randomized tension of the framing between the contrast of the sky texture and the building is very appealing as well.
4. Time
This long exposure does a great job at describing a busy city amassing tremendous amounts of traffic constantly flowing through it. The subtleness of the headlights or taillights streams makes the emphasis on the passage of time more impactful to me.
5. Vantage Point
The perspective of the top of a hot air balloon mid-flight is one not too many people are familiar with. With this particular vantage point it allows us to step into a new angle of life without actually experiencing it. This could be taken either literally or conceptually, for example vantage points of different socioeconomic backgrounds, such as the homeless man sleeping above.
