Unit 57: Photography and Photographic Practice
Photographic Techniques for Photography Wiki
Photo #1:
This is a product photo and it caught my attention due to its low-key lighting. It serves really well for the image as it makes the bottle look sublime and mysterious. This is because low-key lighting is quintessentially used to isolate a subject.
The position of the subject also contributes to the isolation, or rather focus, of the perfume bottle. Another factor is the colour spotting in which everything is grey-scale excluding the subject. All this helps to bring the viewer's attention on the bottle which is the main purpose of the photo.
Perfumes are typically viewed in a seductive and mysterious manner, especially in adverts. Therefore, the use of dark colours and low-key lighting reinforces the ideology behind perfumes.
The ideology behind perfumes is that if you own it, it makes you more attractive and look more expensive. Therefore, the photo makes the perfume look luxurious.
The lighting behind the bottle reflects its colour which is effective. This is because the perfume is called Cool Water which is represented through the illuminated colour.
Photo #2:
The colours of this photo caught my eye as it's very pretty. I appreciate nature photography as I live in a busy city thus rarely see what nature has to offer.
I can tell the purple and pink hues have been exaggerated with editing; however, it looks really effective. This is because it adds a fictional touch to it; as though it's magical and mystic. The composition is centred which is classic as it helps to focus the viewer's attention on the subject (tree). To aid the subject's isolation, the photo has been taken without anyone or anything in the shot.
The sun is shining through the centre of the tree. The entire photo is central; the tree, sun and mini hill. This may sound like a bad idea at first as photographers tend to appreciate the rule of thirds more. However, a central composition from time to time is refreshing, especially if it's nature photography. This is because it makes the subject look majestic. What adds to this effect is the fact that the tree is a silhouette.
Photo #3:
The main subject of this photo is the Lamborghini. The entire photo is chiaroscuro, which adds a classical feel to the image. The fact that Ladurée is situated in the background also adds to the vintage feel. This is because Ladurée is a French bakery with a vintage theme. Therefore, making the photo in monochrome gives a classic feel.
Moreover, the area and architecture are old along with the road. The sun shining through the building makes it look alive. Also the sun is reflecting off the cars.
The composition of the photo is very effective as it uses the rule of thirds. This allows the subject to look less static and more realistic, as though it's communicating with the audience. Moreover, it's positioned at the beginning of the photo, which makes it the main subject of it.
Photo #4:
This photo is very popular as it captured the hearts of many. First and foremost, the most prominent thing about this photo is the girl's eyes, or rather stare. She's staring into the camera through to the audience's line of vision. This evokes a feeling of guilt as we immediately know she's a needy person who seems to blame us for our lack of aid. To look directly at the camera is a bold stance, which also communicates emotions. Just like the English Proverb explains: "Eyes are the window to the soul". No words are needed to see what she's feeling thus making it a very powerful photo.
The main colours that are obvious are her eyes and headscarf, as they're both vibrant. Enhancing her eye colour was a good move by the photographer as it focuses the audience's attention on them. Moreover, the headscarf is red, which is a very powerful colour. It's the colour of love and violence, a paradoxical mix of the two.
Finally, this photo also uses the rule of thirds except the subject is taking over most of the photo. This makes the girl the only thing available for the audience to view as it's the main message. There are no distractions to which the viewer will follow by.
Photo #5:
The composition and camera angle are centred allowing the subject to solely remain. The photograph is extreme close-up of Donald Trump. This is effective as it's in the face of the audience, which best represents the US president as he's managed to worm his way into many people's knowledge. He's become infamous for his views that many people disagree with. Therefore, the camera angle is set up to look uncomfortable as it's too close for comfort, just like how people feel about Donald Trump.
The colours used are very effective as they're minimal yet representative of the subject's reputation among the public population. Trump's photo is entirely chiaroscuro, which means it lacks colour and meaning. This could represent the way in which people feel about him and his views. Moreover, there's a red border around the photo which is a colour of violence. Again, this colour represents Trump's views as he's willing build a wall between America and Mexico and ban Muslims. The colour combination of black, white and red reminds us of the "No Smoking" sign, which also uses those colours. It's as though the photo looks like it's warning the people not to pay attention to him or else they'll be affected negatively.
Photo #6:
The angle of this photo is close-up, which immediately makes this photo personal. However, the subject (Emma Watson) is looking down at the camera with her head tilted up. This is powerful as it seems like she's metaphorically looking down at the audience, which relates to the heading printed: "The Surprising Rebellion of Emma Watson". This pose is perfect for the headline as she looks cunning and tough.
The colours used are minimal. Her jumper is greyish-white as well as the background. The only things prominent are her hair and eyes. This is effective as it focuses the audience's attention on her upper body or face mainly. It's as though she's saying: "Do you have a problem?" As though she's picking a fight. Again, this all relates to the headline which seems to have formed a theme.
Despite this theme, the lighting is bright, which conveys openness and clarity. This is effective as it reminds the audience that Emma Watson is initially a nice person, just with a rebellious side that is rarely seen.
I think this photo is successful as it best represents Emma Watson and her personality. She's a nice girl but with a little bit of a cheek, which is conveyed through the colours, camera angle and lighting.
http://nuovo.com/southern-images/analyses.html
http://www.understandmedia.com/topics/media-theory/111-how-to-analyze-a-photograph
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Photography-Critique
