More Than Looking 3

During this seminar, we looked over a range of photographers photographs and answer the questions we were given.

Paul Strand was up first and I came up with:

1. What was your first impression of this image i.e. you gut feeling or reaction? The washing has just been done
2. What sense can you draw on to understand this image, do smell, taste, touch, sound, or vision feature somehow in this image? The wind, fresh
3. What might have happened just before or after this image was taken? The washing has just been hung up by the owner.
4. What fundamental components is the photographer drawing on, e.g line, shape, form, shadow, movement, etc? shadows, lines, movements, contrast
5. What is the photographers intention? American Straight, high crane shot, challenges perspective
6. Describe what is happening in this photograph, what it says about the subject/content, and if you think the photographer was 'successful'? In the photograph, there is washing hung out in somebodies backyard. There are leading lines that run throughout the photograph, with a range of tones. 
7. 

Gregory Crewdson was next

1. What was your first impression of this image i.e. you gut feeling or reaction? She was caught doing something - shock, shame
2. What sense can you draw on to understand this image, do smell, taste, touch, sound, or vision feature somehow in this image? The engine, dropped shopping, fumes, shouting/discussion
3. What might have happened just before or after this image was taken? The girl in the underwear has just ran out of the window/house, ran away from something that has just happened
4. What fundamental components is the photographer drawing on, e.g line, shape, form, shadow, movement, etc? Crewdson is using the form of shadow and positioning to create this photograph, with the back of the female in her underwear and the reactions on the other two faces. The lighting is also casting a shadow in the frame.
5. What is the photographers intention? The Crewdson's intentions are to possibly to provoke a reaction from the viewer and to create a sense of mystery in the photography.

Cindy Sherman was the last photograph we looked at and we had to answer questions 6 and 7 about it:add

     6. Describe what is happening in this photograph, what it says about the subject/content, and if you think the photographer was 'successful'? In the photograph there is a woman standing in the kitchen, looking shocked/suspiciously over her shoulder, whilst her arm is lying over her stomach which could indicate either a sick feeling, wanting to cry, hurt, or pregnant.

    7. Create a narrative based on this image, a short story based on the image as a starting point. The woman is pregnant and whilst doing the dishes at the sink, she is having a conversation with her partner who doesn't know the news. The partner is quite aggressive as she is appearing to look timid.