Seniors # 3 Journal--Every Picture Tells a Story
This is your THIRD journal assignment of the second quarter.Work on this today in the lab and complete for homework to post before Tuesday, December 12.
I'm hoping that by analyzing a piece of visual art that you'll be able to focus even more on how a prose writer uses description. If you need some help, this 4-step process should help:
Rockin' Rod Stewart borrowed the old cliche that "every picture tells a story" for an uptempo rocker of a song (is there any other kind?) of the early 70s. Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Woods, formerly with Stewart's band called The Faces, plays a searing lead guitar in the song. Yes, I did see Rod Stewart and The Faces in concert at the defunct Spectrum in Philly.
Your assignment?
Analyze a painting or photographI'm hoping that by analyzing a piece of visual art that you'll be able to focus even more on how a prose writer uses description. If you need some help, this 4-step process should help:
Step I: Find a painting or photograph that you enjoy and that begs for closer study.
Step II: Look at the painting/photograph and describe what you see objectively without editorial comments. Note figures, colors, objects, etc.
Step III: Begin to analyze the painting/photograph, with attention to lines (specifically, where is your eye drawn?), shapes, balance, emphasis, contrast, proportion, unity, harmony, colors, etc. Here are some basic links to web sites to help novices like us to know how to analyze a photograph or a painting. As someone who doesn't understanding your genre completely, you don't have to analyze EVERYTHING.
Step IV: Now, based on WHAT you've seen, reflect on how the painting/photograph makes you feel and/or what story (or message) it tells. Look for symbols, especially, in doing this.I suspect that many of us are rank amateurs here, so don't feel intimidated or fear that you'll be wrong in your analysis.
Here's a photograph by award-winning photographer Annie Liebowitz that I've chosen to analyze.
Pictured below are actress Gweneth Paltrow and her mother, actress Blythe Danner.
The photograph tells a very human and real story.
It was taken a short time after Paltrow's father and Danner's husband, Bruce Paltrow, passed away.
In the photo, Danner, in a mourning black turtleneck, has ironically assumed the role of her deceased spoused, that of the comforting father figure. Danner looks a trifle sad, but more brave. She peers directly into the camera lens. Nestled closely to her daughter, she provides physical and emotional support, embracing her around the waist, her left shoulder buttressing Paltrow's forlorn figure.
Paltrow, in a white dress that falls off her left shoulder, is Danner's little girl who submissively accepts her mother's warm embrace. Her eyes closed, she also looks sad, but peaceful. Note that Paltrow's hands are locked with her mothers. Paltrow's white fallen dress reinforces her need for comfort, to be clothed, warmed, healed, by her mother's touch.
This posed, staged, photograph, is a work of art. It was not snapped by some digital camera carrying fan and downloaded hastily on the internet. It begs for analysis, as it is more than just a "pretty picture."
Of course, so does Jamie Wyeth's painting Patriot's Barn, a print of which hangs in my family room. Headed north on DE 82, the barn can be found on the left hand side of the road about a half a mile before entering Centreville or about a mile after you pass the entrance to Winterthur.
Wyeth painted this soon after the tragedy of 9-11. I'm not entirely sure if the flag was ever really on the barn (it isn't on there now), or if Wyeth added the image for his painting.
Regardless, it is the flag that makes the barn, and the painting, so patriotic. It's emblazoned on the whitewashed barn, and its reflection (emphasizing and symbolizing both Wyeth and the barn painter's patriotism) is cast in the pond that lies at the base of the painting. The somewhat subdued blue sky symbolizes perhaps, the uneasy atmosphere that enveloped our world after the bombings. The red and blue colors of the flag, and the green of the rolling landscape are more alive. Alive with hope and patriotism, because of the patriot painters--the owner of the land and Wyeth. Their shared message is as loud and clear as the sight of the star spangled banner (and that the national anthem that it inspired) that flew over Ft. McHenry during the bombing of Baltimore during the War of 1812. American patriotism cannot be defeated.
To me, this painting is a patriotic equivalent to the Marines who raised Old Glory after the Battle of Iwa Jima during WW II (see link to this famous Life magazine photograph). I especially enjoy this painting because the barn sits about five miles from where I live, and when I pass it, I think of Wyeth's painting.
Here are some other examples of photos and paintings (that you may write about): (in order,Nighthawks, Edward Hopper; Willie Nelson, Annie Liebowitz; Elvis Presley's Phonograph; Annie Liebowitz; The Singing Butler, Jack Vettriano.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: AS SOON AS YOU BEGIN WORK IN A WORD DOCUMENT, SAVE IT AND NAME IT, IN CASE YOUR WORD CRASHES. IF THE DOCUMENT IS NAMED, IT CAN USUALLY BE RETRIEVED.
Please print me a copy of your photograph or painting to include with your written analysis when you turn in your journal at the end of the quarter.
posted by JTF @ 8:49 AM
59 comments
59 Comments:
I find the Patriots barn a very interesting piece of art. Although there is not much going on in the picture there is much to describe. Basically what is happening is there is a barn on a hill. The hill is for the most part bare. There is a puddle that is reflecting the barn in the water. On the barn there is an American Flag painted on it. I think there is a deeper meaning than simply a flag on a barn. This was made recently after 9-11. It was a tribute to all the people that were affected by this terrible incident. What catches my eye is not the barn, but the reflection of the barn in the water. I think this has a symbolic meaning behind the painting. The barn shows how simply it is a barn with a flag on it. Not much deep meaning behind it. It is a pretty literal interpretation. However the reflection says a lot. What I think is the reflection describes the people. When water reflects things it makes it ripples and a appears a little rough. This symbolizes how the tragic event effected out people. It was rough for many and left many scars on us. Before the event and after the event were different. Since the event occurred everybody is different with his or her views on life, which is why the reflection is different than the original barn. I think the emptiness on the field shows how empty everybody felt after the event. Everyone felt like there was something missing. Also after the event there was a huge empty space where the buildings used to be. I believe that was the point the painter was trying to get across by doing this. The painting makes me feel a little empty actually. The fact that nothing is going on in the painting makes me feel like something is missing.
http://www.internetphotos.net/romantical-love-painting.html
The photo I chose is called “Couple Fall in love”, it’s not a famous painting but its very beautiful. I really like this picture because it is a romantic setting, and just very pretty. The setting is a couple walking under an umbrella on a light up pathway at night under the trees. The one thing I like the technique the artist used to paint the picture. The way he painted it looked like he used short strokes of his brush, and made it look choppy yet together. The main thing that drew me to the picture was the coloring, the sky is a very light purplish blue and the trees leaves are dark and barren. Than on the other side there is orange and bright and the trees are full and lively. Also I like how all the different colors contrast against each other and reflect off the water. When looking more into this picture, I came to the conclusion maybe it resembled what a relationship is like. It has a couple walking together, than one side is dark and barren and water that looks almost icy. Than one side is light, the trees are full of life and very pretty and bright. This could resemble that sometimes you fight in relationships and there hard work and you go through rough times. But than the light side could resemble all the good times you have when your in a relationship.
I really like this portrait of Marilyn Monroe for multiple reasons. The first things that I notice about the print are the colors because they are vibrant and make the subject pop. The second thing I notice is the overall style of the print. Most people can tell by looking at it that it is definitely Andy Warhol’s artwork because it is a silk-screened print. Silk-screening was kind of Warhol’s signature thing and he was known as the father of all Pop Art. The third thing I notice is the subject – Marilyn Monroe. The print captures her in a way that you can tell everything she stands for – beauty. The vibrant shade of blue on her eyes and a set of thick lashes batting away portray a made-up woman. Her classic teeth clenching pose is outlined by a set of fire engine red lips. Her hair is perfectly shaped. A little background on the image: It was originally a publicity shot taken for the film “Niagara”. Warhol honored Monroe by making the image into a silkscreen in August of 1962, when she committed suicide.
http://www.thisismarilyn.com/artwork/grammaticas-2009080313847-turquoisemarilyn62-original.jpg
The painting that I chose to analyze is Georgia O'keeffe's Black Door with Red. This painting is very minimalist and almost abstract. In it you can see a black square in the middle with a couple smaller pinkish squares lined-up horizontally below the black square. This black square and smaller pink squares are both set on top of a red background. There is also yellow on the bottom and top of this painting. Your eye is drawn to the black square in the middle of the painting. The name of this painting gives us the impression that this "black square" is actually a door. This leaves the rest of the painting up to interpretation. The smaller pink squares look like they are some kind of stepping-stones, tiling, or decoration that goes in front of the door. The red color that makes up most of the painting's negative space looks like it could be a building of some kind, maybe a shed or a small house. The yellow on the bottom and top of this painting would then be the ground and sky of the painting. The black door in the middle draws your eye because it does not go with all of the other colors used in the painting. The yellow, red, and pink are all warm, pastel colors and the black door in the middle stands out indefinitely. However, The rest of the colors blend very well with each other. The colors get darker as they move farther away form the door, making it seem as though there is a light coming from the door. This is almost ironic because the door is pitch black, yet there is a lightness coming from it.
This painting gives me a sense of mystery. You cant tell if someone is opening the door from the other side, or if someone is waiting to go into the door and see the inside of the building. If the door was being opened from the other side, who is opening it? What would they look like? The painting may not look like much but it does tell a story. It can tell different stories based on the way you look at the painting and can give many different situations as well.
This picture was taken of the Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset by Yadi Yasin. In this painting I see the Golden State Bridge covered in fog giving it a dab of mystery. I see the clouds trying to close creating darkness in the sky. This creates the illusion of color in this black and white picture. The boat in the corner of the picture looks like it is about to get eaten alive from the fog. You see what looks like a speedboat creating the waves in the ocean under the bridge. The cars on the bridge are lined up in traffic going along entering the fog and the mystery of what is on the other side. The cars that exit the mysterious other side look changed from the ones entering. This painting makes me feel like there is mystery in the world. It makes me anxious to get out of the norm of my life and enter through the other side of the world unknown to me. I compare this picture to my life because I go along day by day following in the traffic of life but when I pass through the other side I will open up to the mystery on the other side. I want to experience this and can’t wait for my life to open up to this unknown.
The photograph is a black and white photo on a street of some city taken by Alin Ciortea. The background is slightly blurred so attention is immediately drawn to the young boy peering out from behind an open space in the wall. He is all alone, and the black and white coloration helps to convey his mood to the viewer. The boy looks scared and slightly curious about something. The sidewalk and walls seem to be aging and in need of repair. While it is most likely a more modern picture, as you can see from the blurred out cars in the distance, since the photo is black and white it gives it an older feeling. The different colors in the sidewalk separate the boy from everything else in the picture. It makes me feel sad for the boy and want to help him. The photo makes me want to comfort him and help him not be afraid of whatever it is he is looking at. Even though you can only see the boy’s face and the very right side of his body, the rest of the picture makes me assume the he is dressed poorly and very thin and hungry.
The painting that I chose depicts a snowy, wintery evening in Central Park. The sky is a mix between coral and purple, and one can see the distant sky scrapers behind the barren but snow touched trees. On the path there is a man in a suit holding a brief case and an umbrella, presumably walking home from work. Everything is still and quiet, and the street lamp is lightened to guide him home.
The colors in this painting blend together and consist of yellow, pink/purple, and some variations of white. The colors give off a feeling of peace and quietness, much like one would find when snow first starts falling. All of the different shapes and colors seem to blend together and fade into one another. The lines are very smooth, except when it comes to the trees. The trees appear to be a little more rugged. The audience’s eye seems to focus on the man walking along on the path.
With a closer look, one can see the hustle and bustle of the busy city behind the distant trees. All of the sky reaching buildings are lighted with human activity and below, the New York street is crammed with cars, stores, and lights. However, in Central Park, where this man is situated, there is no mayhem or distractions present. The trees are still, the path is empty except for the shoe imprints left in the snow, and there is not a soul in sight. The only movement is the slow trickle of the soft fresh snow sprinkling down from the sky. After reflecting on the photograph, one wonders if the man is walking home from work, or walking to get some peace and tranquility.
This painting gives me a feeling of relaxation. Everything is quiet and still and yet the snow is lightly falling. To me, this would be the ideal place to “get away” and clear my head. The quietness would allow me to reflect while also taking in God’s beauty. This painting can also reflect anytime that one has gone for a walk out in the snow and experienced how gentle and calm it is.
http://www.rsriddick.com/galleries/classical/pages/new-york-snow-scene.php
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/buck-island-sunday-linda-morland.html
The painting that I chose to write about is called, “Buck Island Sunday” by Linda Morland. This painting just caught my eye out of all of the island ones. Right when I saw it, I fell in love with it mainly because I’m a big fan of the water and beautiful, tropical islands. My eyes automatically go right to the two people running around on the end of the wet sand almost touching the water. You can tell it’s probably a mother figure and her child just enjoying there time on this beautiful, clear day on this tropical island. I love how there are so many different color blues and each one is completely different but a perfect example of the water and sky colors. The light water is a turquoise color up close where it’s near to shore and than as your eyes go further back, the water becomes more of a deep blue as the ocean drops off and becomes deeper. The sky isn’t completely clear which clear like a normal tropical island painting would be but there are some clouds mixed in with the beautiful, blue sky. I almost feel like I know what it’s like to be there right now. The colors are so fitting and real that I can feel like I know the temperature, smell and feeling of that day. That’s why I wrote about this painting because it’s so real to me.
In the painting “Ski Alaska Heli”, the colors are so bright. The blue sky really sticks out to me. It looks like a sunny winter day. The mountain contains grays, pinks, blues, and yellow. This makes the mountain look realistic. The skiers are dark and stick out the most in the white and blue snow. This makes the picture look like a real ski trip. Another element of the painting that looks realistic is the snow. The snow looks like the ocean waves the way is it placed. The snow looks like fresh powder waiting to be skied on. My eyes go directly to the first skier and the mountain. The skier and the mountain are the main elements of the painting because the artist used dark colors to attract the eye. The colors of the painting are perfect because they balance out each other. The light versus dark is used very well in “Ski Alaska Heli.” I picked this painting because for one I love to ski. Skiing is my happy place because everything is so calm and quiet except for the sound of your skis against the fluffy, light snow. The scenery depicted in this painting is captured perfectly because of the bright blue sky and the blue-white snow. When you go skiing on a good day, this is exactly what you would see. The other detail that attracted me to this painting was the way the artist made the mountain look like the skiers are bowl skiing. Bowl skiing is when you are skiing above tree line and there are no paths. It is pretty much like “free skiing.” I love to bowl ski because you have the freedom to do whatever you want. You can make your own trails and paths and it is so much fun. When I look at this painting I want to be on the slopes right away. This painting makes me want to jump into it and go down the mountain.
While I was searching for a portrait to use for this blog, I came across this photograph of an Afghan girl. This portrait caught my attention. My eyes went immediately to her eyes. I think her eyes tell a story. Her piercing green eyes have a haunting look about them. The contrast between the tone of her skin, the color of her head wrap, and the shade of hair really makes those green eyes pop. I feel like the photographer’s, Steve McCurry, focal point of the photograph is the girl’s eyes because they are so powerful. She looks like she fears the photographer. The power of this girl’s stare is captivating and makes you curious what she was thinking the moment this photo was taken. I think her direct gaze into the camera is what tells the viewer about the photograph. She looks scared, confused, and almost like she has never seen a camera before. I think this photograph is powerful, because you can know nothing about it and still be able to develop a story from it.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Sharbat_Gula.jpg/210px-Sharbat_Gula.jpg
The picture I chose to analyze is the cover of the Beatles eleventh album, Abbey Road. It is one of the most famous pictures of all time, and it has been said that it fueled the great hoax that band member Paul McCartney was dead. The picture shows the Beatles crossing the street at a crosswalk in Britain. It has been said that the picture is a funeral procession, but no one knows for sure. John Lennon is leading the procession, wearing all white, symbolizing the clergy. Behind him is Ringo, dressed in black is the undertaker. One thing that is very noticeable is how different Paul is shown in this picture in comparison to the others. Paul, the supposed corpse, is walking barefoot with his eyes closed. Last is George, dressed in work clothes, portrays the gravedigger. Parked on the street behind them, is a Volkswagen beetle with the liscense plate "28IF". This is supposed to suggest Paul would have been 28 that year if he had lived. behind them to the right, is a police van, which refers to the police who kept quiet about Paul's death. I like this picture because it is a simple, ordinary photo.It has a very everday feeling, and makes them seem normal and relateable. However,this picture tells a mystery through small visual clues that make it more complicated and dark than the picture suggests.
“Wars End Kiss” in New York City. August 14, 1945.
When you first glance at this photo your eye is immediately drawn to the couple engaging in the dramatic kiss. You see how the solider is holding the nurse around the waist, how she is sort of laying back into his arms, and how she is letting him grab complete hold of her. In the background you see a women standing off to the left looking at the couple sort of cheering for them. This photo was taken in black and white, which shows the era in which it took place, and allows you to focus more on the man and woman. You can also see how the two don’t care about the excitement-taking place around them; they are completely focused in on the kiss and their own personal relief and excitement. The story behind the photo is that this soldier had no idea who this nurse was; it was a true spontaneous moment that has captured the hearts of many. The men were celebrating the end of the war on Japan, and this young man couldn’t hold back his excitement. Alfred Eisenstaedt, who at the time loved capturing people kissing, took this photo. It was highly favored during this time in the media to have photos of soldiers kissing. It’s no wonder why this one has become so famous. Whenever I look at this photo I cannot help but smile and feel the happiness and love that everyone was experiencing at that moment. Even though these two were not engaging in a relationship together, all women who gaze at this photo dream of having a love like this of their own.
“Subway Riders”
1) -The photo is black and white.
-Five people are riding the subway.
-There are newspapers and magazines.
-There is a reflection in the window.
2) -There is one black man and one woman.
- Everyone in the photo is reading except for the black man.
-The youngest man in the photo has darker skin and hair.
-The youngest man also has his legs crossed.
-The black man seems larger than the other people.
-My eye is drawn towards the black man.
3) - I feel bad for the black man, who is not reading where everyone else is.
-I’m curious to know if the black man knows how to read. He stands out from everyone else. The clothes he is wearing is not as fashionable as the other outfits. He just sits with his hands crossed while holding a dirty rag. He is just sitting and waiting to reach his destination while the others pass time by reading.
-I suppose the message is not everyone, especially African Americans, were able to read back in the day.
“Subway Riders”
1) -The photo is black and white.
-Five people are riding the subway.
-There are newspapers and magazines.
-There is a reflection in the window.
2) -There is one black man and one woman.
- Everyone in the photo is reading except for the black man.
-The youngest man in the photo has darker skin and hair.
-The youngest man also has his legs crossed.
-The black man seems larger than the other people.
-My eye is drawn towards the black man.
3) - I feel bad for the black man, who is not reading where everyone else is.
-I’m curious to know if the black man knows how to read. He stands out from everyone else. The clothes he is wearing is not as fashionable as the other outfits. He just sits with his hands crossed while holding a dirty rag. He is just sitting and waiting to reach his destination while the others pass time by reading.
-I suppose the message is not everyone, especially African Americans, were able to read back in the day.
In this picture I see the recoil from what looks like an anti-aircraft cannon. I saw this picture on reddit and was somewhat mesmerized by it. The first thing that grabs your attention is the rumble in the air, which leads to further investigation. The large cannon is the centerpiece of the picture, but it seems to be in the background of the dust and gravel. From studying the rumble, the entire landscape of the picture feels as if it is fit within a spherical dome. The color scheme is a lot of light greys and white. Amongst the rumble and dust, the soldiers stick out with their green desert camouflage. I think it’s one of the coolest pictures I have ever seen. Other than the obvious coolness of the picture, it somewhat connects to me on a personal level because my dad is in the military. He is a C-130 pilot, and he brought home a blank shell for the aircraft cannon-it’s the size of a human head. This picture reminded me of the shell.
I chose the painting entitled, “Persistence of memory” by Salvador Dali. The famous painting captured my eyes. Although it’s very well known, I haven’t really looked into the specifications of the painting. And as I looked closer, I was able to find some relevance to some of the details in the painting. At first, I thought it was just melted clocks and that’s it. Just the irregularity of painting melted clocks was far different than any other painted masterpiece. But when I really look at it, there are two shades in the painting. One is dark, the other is light. Some objects are placed in the lighter shade, and others are placed in the dark shade (shadow). In all honesty, it looks like a dream land to me. Like this painting was supposed to resemble that of a dream. There’s a center object that really catches my attention, but I can’t tell what that object really is. It has a melted clock on top of it, though. There are three melted clocks in all. I think the meaning behind those three melted clocks is that while dreaming, there is no time. Time is irrelevant and infinite; meaning time is not really important in dreams. When you dream, you can feel like a 5 minute dream really is a full hour long, when in fact, it’s only about 5 minutes long. There is one pocket watch that is solid, and orange. The orange solid pocket watch shows the time of actual reality, instead of the dream time. There are two rocks in the picture; one in the shade and one in the light. I think the laminated rock symbolizes reality, while the shaded rock symbolizes dreaming. There are two different sides to the painting… Reality and dream land. Hence, the different shades of darkness and light to represent the two. This painting makes me realize that time really is irrelevant in dreams, and that memories are all that matter, not time. Dreams add to our memories, after all. I feel like dreaming is an alternate reality, drifting us off from our actual reality.
When someone first looks at this painting, they most likely enjoy the colors. This painting is full of all different colors, but they all go together very well. The sky looks like it could be around the time that dusk is beginning to come. The sand looks very real and life-like because of the footprints and grooves in it. This shack seems to be at a marina on a bay or a beach and gives off a simple and relaxing feeling. The one thing that stands out in this painting and draws the viewer’s eye immediately is the roof of the shack. It is a red roof that looks like it stands out, but at a closer look it matches the color of the flowers that surrounds it and it picks up the colors of found in the grass. After your attention is drawn to the roof, you follow the side of the house down to a sort of ramp that is accessed by the sand walk way. This ramp in a way opens up the eye to the rest of the painting. This is because from the ramp you begin to look around at the grass, then notice the boats and water in the background and then see the dusk sky in the background. The way this painting makes me feel is happy and calm. It seems like a place that I would love to go. It is not a complex painting and does not have too many aspects to it. I think that is what makes it so relaxing, though, is the simplicity of it. It pulls someone away from the stresses of everyday life and just tones things down.
There are many paintings or photographs that show deeper meaner and are known throughout the world. The date September 11 is a date that all Americans recognize as one of the most detrimental, cruel, and heartless days of all time. Until this day, it is a day where we remember all those who tragically died. The photograph I chose to analyze is known as “The Falling Man.” The Falling Man is a photograph of Jonathan Briley falling to his death. Jonathan had no other choice. His fate was either way he would die. The colors seem very bland and boring. The lack of color also goes along with the mood of the photograph, because it is someone falling to their own suicide during one of the worst days of all time. Behind Jonathan Briley is the side of the buildings, where you can see nothing else. The windows are not even visible. What stands out most about this photograph is Jonathan Briley falling upside down. He is in the very middle of the photograph and that makes him even more the center of attention. It is very obvious that this photograph makes me feel heartbroken and unhappy. I sympathize for all of those who lost their lives or were forced to jump out of the World Trade Center. This image shows that what happened on September 11, 2011 was completely real. People did have to end their lives by jumping. And many more died inside the building. This man, Jonathan Briley , is a symbol of all those who died from this tragedy. Although you cannot see his face, he is the face of September 11th. Jonathan Briley is spiraling down from the World Trade Center to his death, but the memory of him lives on through this photograph. All Americans can recognize him as the “Falling Man.” His story shows us how truly fatal and destructive September 11th really was to Americans. Although he is now dead, his story lives on through this very famous image.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Falling_Man
I chose water lilies by Claude Monet. Monet was a famous painter from the early twentieth century. He was an impressionistic artist, who loved to paint nature. He was most famous for his paintings of water lilies. Water lilies was a collection of about 250 similar paintings. Impressionism is meant to express emotion. Monet would use long brush strokes and soft colors to make the painting convey the certain emotion he was aiming at. The colors of the water lilies are bright compared to that of the blue murkiness of the water surrounding them. That's where my eyes are drawn, to the water lilies. Monet blended his colors together to use soft lines, and to convey a more calming feeling. The imperfection of the painting makes the water seem to be moving. In my opinion this painting is beautiful because Monet's goal was not to make this painting look like a photograph, but to convey his emotions. I think that he was trying to show content and calmness with this painting. He wanted to show his appreciation for nature. This painting makes me feel calm and happy to look at because it is beautiful. It is very simple and yet can be interpreted in so many ways.
The painting that I chose was called Sunny Clouds by Leonidafremov. This painting could have many meanings from it. There is a small boat floating in the ocean looking up to the sky where a volcano is placed in the middle of the painting. The artist uses two different comparisons in the painting with his color scheme. The ocean water is shown as a nice shade of blue that is very calm with the small boat placed in the middle. He uses black, red, orange, and yellow to depict the sky with the big sun shining over the clouds. I believe he uses is red, orange, black, and yellow for the sky because of the volcano that is painted in the picture. Volcanoes are usually looked upon as violent and deadly. I think he painted the boat in the water to show a calmer side to the painting so it has a different meaning to it. The sun shining and reflecting on the ocean from the sun really gives a warmer and softer side to the painting as well and takes the focus off of the heavily dark painted sky. If you wanted to look for a deep meaning from this painting you could explain how the artist might be portraying the theme that there will always be clouds or “challenges” in your life but the sun will always shine.
The painting that I chose was called Sunny Clouds by Leonidafremov. This painting could have many meanings from it. There is a small boat floating in the ocean looking up to the sky where a volcano is placed in the middle of the painting. The artist uses two different comparisons in the painting with his color scheme. The ocean water is shown as a nice shade of blue that is very calm with the small boat placed in the middle. He uses black, red, orange, and yellow to depict the sky with the big sun shining over the clouds. I believe he uses is red, orange, black, and yellow for the sky because of the volcano that is painted in the picture. Volcanoes are usually looked upon as violent and deadly. I think he painted the boat in the water to show a calmer side to the painting so it has a different meaning to it. The sun shining and reflecting on the ocean from the sun really gives a warmer and softer side to the painting as well and takes the focus off of the heavily dark painted sky. If you wanted to look for a deep meaning from this painting you could explain how the artist might be portraying the theme that there will always be clouds or “challenges” in your life but the sun will always shine.
The picture I chose to analyze was de La Tour’s “The Card Sharp”. In the painting there are four people. The background is very dark. The scene only shows this one table it is not like they are in a pool hall. The contrast between the dark background and the pale people draws your eye to the people who pop out. Your eye is drawn to the two far women. Their eyes catch your attention along with their hands and the gestures they are making. The different clothes of the people make you think they all come from different social statuses. The one man looking off into the distance makes the observer feel like he is very arrogant and sure of his “winning” hand. The man to the right of him looks higher in social status and seems quite intrigued about the game. He seems to be very focused on the game but closed off to his surroundings. The woman standing up appears to be a waitress but the way she is looking at the other players makes it appear that she is helping the other woman cheat. The expression on the “rich” appearing woman’s face looks alarmed and very suspicious like she is cheating. The blackness gives us the observer the feel that they are all very secluded from the rest of society and that the game is one of serious importance. That the women might be cheating the men out of their money.
http://northavenuemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Kissing+Couple+in+Vancouver+During+Riots.jpg
This photograph is a very real shot which I love about it. It is not posed or anything, it simply just captured a moment. The photograph took place during the recent 2011 Vancouver riots where the police were forced to clear the streets and release tear gas. The photograph was taken by Rich Lam of Getty images. One of my favorite aspects of the shot was the angle. It was taken so that you see a big policeman in a helmet, holding a baton in his hand towards the front of the picture. In the distance you see a stampede of aggressive looking police pushing a crowd off of the streets. In the middle lies a kissing couple. It is intriguing that in the midst of so much chaos they are just lying in the streets embraced in each other. I also liked the way the camera was clearly focused in on the couple making them the stars while everything else was blurry and faded into the background. It seemed to highlight the important things in life, not some game but love.
This picture is taken of Audrey Hepburn in the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The black and white photograph really dramatizes the entire setting and emphasizes the time period, which was the 60’s. In addition, the things in the background look kind of blurred to bring more attention to her face. Closer up, Audrey is holding an old fashioned cigarette as well as wearing huge pearls. On the table in front of her, some of the objects are blurred, however the glass tupperware is shown. When I first glance at the photograph, my eye is drawn right to Audrey Hepburn’s face. The entire photograph is based around her. The color of her dress is very black which makes her stand out the most. In addition, she is wearing black gloves, which also brings attention to her entire body. The background is much lighter, so the eye does not focus on what is back there. The front is also very light, yet some of the tupperware is white which draws the eye from the dress to the table. Audrey’s pearls are white as well, and they lay on top of her dress, which sets a very good contrast in colors. This photograph in general brings on an innocent feeling. Audrey Hepburn is suppose to be a quirky New York girl who is somewhat bossy. However she falls in love with a man who moved in at her apartment and this photograph shows her happiness and serenity. Her clothes show that she is fashionable and wealthy, yet her face shows that she’s really an innocent young woman looking for romance.
http://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/images/thumbnail/starrynight.jpg
The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
The first thing I notice when I look at this painting is the night sky. There are big swirling clouds blowing left to right across the page. There are also many stars scattered throughout the sky. Each one is surrounded by a circle, which illustrates its luminescence. There is also a bright crescent moon in the top right corner. This sky keeps the viewer's eyes moving about the painting, following the curves and creating a visual dot to dot with the stars. This movement keeps the viewer involved in the painting.
Below the night sky lies a small town. Rolling hills of the horizon connect these top and bottom halves of the painting. There seems to be a peaceful essence flowing from the buildings. The center point of the town is the tall steeple of the church, reigning over the smaller buildings. This steeple casts down a sense of stability and security onto the town, and it also creates a sense of size and seclusion.
To the left of the painting there is a massive dark structure. This structure is huge compared to the other objects in the painting. The curving lines mirror that of the sky and create depth in the painting. This structure also allows the viewer to interpret what it is.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.worldsfamousphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/kosovo_refugee.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.worldsfamousphotos.com/index.php/2007/09/23/the-plight-of-kosovo-refugees-1999/&h=247&w=400&sz=63&tbnid=kxZ9IfmDYHt2zM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=120&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfamous%2Brefugee%2Bpicture%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=famous+refugee+picture&docid=YMaiBwpRhDxNrM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6KfmTvTRK6Xw0gHs7eWYCg&ved=0CEEQ9QEwCg&dur=62
The photo I chose to evaluate is called “The Plight of Kosovo Refugees.” The photo was taken in 1999 by a woman named Carol Guzy. It depicts a 2 year old Kosovar refugee being passed through a barbed wire of a camp to grandparents at a camp run by United Arab Emirates in Kukes, Albania. The members of the family were reunited here after fleeing the conflict in Kosovo. This picture instantly intrigued me with the sheer action of the photo. I could feel the vibe of a holocaust type scene and I knew there was an important purpose behind it. Taking one look made me want to get further information as to why this child was being passed through a barbed wire and what his future held. Second the underlying contrast of colors will instantly catch the viewer’s eye. The bright turquoise creates a noticeable line against the background, yet the blues and pastels of the sky match him and create a beautiful color pallet. The barbed wire also creates a harsh line against the sky to bring contrast yet it still flows well with the rest of the movement. The main focus is the baby as he is the center and brightest object in the picture, but once you scan the rest of the photo you can reveal the emotion it is trying to put across. The girl passing the baby seems very happy to be giving the baby away, and by studying the background you assume that she could be considered as somewhat of a hero helping these people into their reunion. Overall I love the colors of this photo and it instantly grabbed my attention.
The first time I saw the painting, The Girl With a Pearl Earring, by Jan Vermeer, I was drawn to the eyes of the girl. They seemed so sad and full of despair, like she wasn’t happy with her life and her future. Her eyes were a dark brown, green color, and are begging the painter or beholder of the painting to stop her before she’s forced to do something she does not want to do. Even though I’m not drawn immediately to the pearl earring, as the painting is named after, it still stands out. To me, the earring shows innocence and virtue, something that makes the girl seem more vulnerable in her stage of despair. The black, bland background to me sets the tone adding to the disappointing and depressing mood the girl is in. While the pearl earring can signify elegance and innocence, the black background can forecast the future and the emotions of the girl. The girl doesn’t appear to have any makeup on which can also show that she’s innocent, and has a natural beauty of a young woman. It’s not until I carefully analyze the picture to notice the girl has long blonde hair flowing down her back. Her hair’s up in a pony tail or up-do so that the viewer could see the natural beauty of the girl. I believe that Jay used a blue headband to hold back her hair so that you could focus right on the girls face, primarily her eyes, and not her youthful hair.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/1880_Pierre_Auguste_Cot_-_The_Storm.jpg
My favorite painting is by Pierre Auguste Cot, a 19th century french artist, called The Storm. The work is easily his most famous and depicts a young couple running through a forest holding a sheet over their heads. The young woman is looking up towards the sky and the young man is looking at her. They are both in very strange clothing, typically expected of mythological characters. The young man is in a sort of fur pelt with a horn, and the young woman in a long, flowing, thin white dress see through and wet from the rain. The paiting is extremely detailed with very realistic looking fabric, drawing the eye to the dress and sheet that show motion in their flowing arrangements. The facial expressions of the couple are very expressive and beautiful in their subtlety. I, personally, find that the painting shows beauty, youth, and life. It would seem that the brown-ish gold leaves would detract from the vibrant youth of the rest of the painting. I think that the gold leaves add elegance to the painting and contribute to one popular speculation about the painting, that it depicts the Greek mythological couple Daphnis and Chloe. This makes sense because in the story of Daphnis and Chloe, both were raised by sheperds and theire love was beautiful, innocent and true. The high contrast, extremely detailed nature of the painting makes the image very realistic and sharp. This lets the lines flow and capture your attention in many places, leading it through all the different focuses of the piece like the sheet, the faces, the clothing and the motion of the legs. I like this picture because I enjoy when a painting can translate a feeling or motion. I love the faces of the couple that make me feel happy for them. Paintings of beauty in young love reinforce my belief in it and it's genuineness. The scene is so believeable, with the two running through the forest, looking up towards the rain. The stories that seem to go with it, the Greek myths of young love, interest me and make me happy. I want to be able to translate a Greek myth into a beautiful painting that does the story justice like this.
My favorite photograph is “V-J Day in Time Squares” by Alfred Eisenstaedt. This photo is one of the most famous pictures in American history, and can be seen in almost every history book. This picture tells such an interesting story that makes you want to know more. You want to know who the boy and girl are, why they are kissing, and what happened after the kiss. The black and white photo shows two people, one is a male sailor who has appeared to grab the other person who is a young female nurse. The pair on in the middle of street in Times Squares and there is a large crowd of people surrounding them and some of them appear to be staring and laughing at the young couple. In this picture your eye automatically gets drawn to the center where the young couple is shown. They take up most of the picture and are the part of the picture that is most in focus. The scene behind them with all the people is less in focus and therefore shows that they are less important to the image. The shape of the couple also draws the eye to them. The curve of the woman’s body and her legs catch your focus because they are not in a normal position for the body. Lastly your eye is drawn to the couple because of the nurse’s stark white outfit contrasted against the darker colors of the surrounding street, and the contrast between her outfit and the sailors outfit brings the eye to them as well. This picture just makes you want to know more. As soon as you see it you are instantly intrigued by the story behind it. When I look at this picture I get filled with a sense of pride for my country. It also pulls on some of my hopeless romantic heart-strings, and I just enjoy the pure romance that the picture shows.
The picture that I chose to analyze is of a beautiful sunset. Sunsets are my favorite kinds of pictures. This picture in particular is the one I like the most. I even have a picture of it hanging up in my room. The colors are very vibrant and range from shades of orange, pink and red. I think the ocean in front adds a good touch and makes the picture look a little more dramatic. In the picture, everything is drawn and points to the center. The center of the picture is actually the sunset going down behind the hill. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the sun when you look at it. I think that all the colors blend very well and give the picture a soft yet fierce look. The dark hill against the bright sky adds good contrast to the picture as well. I think it has almost perfect harmony and a peaceful and calm setting. Even the ocean in front remains calm and content. This photograph gives me a sense of hope. It reminds me of images I’ve seen of God coming down through the clouds. It shows so many aspects of the extreme beauty of nature. Sunsets are so special to catch because they can be gone so quickly. That is why I think it is wonderful when photographers capture something so amazing and pure. Overall, it is a beautiful picture and is very pleasing to the eye.
The picture that I chose to analyze is of a beautiful sunset. Sunsets are my favorite kinds of pictures. This picture in particular is the one I like the most. I even have a picture of it hanging up in my room. The colors are very vibrant and range from shades of orange, pink and red. I think the ocean in front adds a good touch and makes the picture look a little more dramatic. In the picture, everything is drawn and points to the center. The center of the picture is actually the sunset going down behind the hill. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the sun when you look at it. I think that all the colors blend very well and give the picture a soft yet fierce look. The dark hill against the bright sky adds good contrast to the picture as well. I think it has almost perfect harmony and a peaceful and calm setting. Even the ocean in front remains calm and content. This photograph gives me a sense of hope. It reminds me of images I’ve seen of God coming down through the clouds. It shows so many aspects of the extreme beauty of nature. Sunsets are so special to catch because they can be gone so quickly. That is why I think it is wonderful when photographers capture something so amazing and pure. Overall, it is a beautiful picture and is very pleasing to the eye.
Kevin Carter took this photograph in 1994 of this starving child in Sudan that was crawling towards an aid camp and won the Pulitzer Prize for it, but committed suicide because of depression three months later. The photographer captured the child being stalked by a vulture, waiting for the child to die so it, too, could eat. Even though the photographer did not stage the photograph and it was real life, he still angled himself in a way as to use the “rule of thirds” which is things being off center. The vulture is also in a diagonal line away from the child, so it leads your eye from the initial placement of the child, to the vulture lurking in the background. The photograph also shows how dry and bare the land this child is living in and surrounded by. Once again, even though the photo isn’t staged, the position of the child’s body and how it is crunched up in a ball and how thin the child’s limbs are shows how malnourished it is. You can not see the child’s face, but it’s head is down and to the side, almost as a sign of giving up. The child is also laying on the ground, crawling, because it is too weak to walk. I think the photographer was trying to make it known how severe hunger issues really are, and that it IS real. Even though the photo is only of one child, it speaks to people and lets them know that hunger is an issue.
The picture I chose to analyze is the famous “kissing” scene from the end of World War II. From first observation, I can see that there is obviously a celebration taking place. There is a large crowd behind the couple, everyone with a happy face on and no signs of sorrow or discontent among any of the various people standing around. There are also large billboard signs lining the buildings of New York’s Time Square, with different advertisements related to the current time period of the mid 1940’s. The picture takes place in a much older time period, yet the emotions and feelings can still be felt today as if it just happened. Something that I picked up that was very peculiar is the contrast of the sailor and the girl he is kissing. The sailor is wearing a black suit with a white hat, while the girl is wearing a white dress and has brown hair, which appears to be black due to the black-and-white photographs of the day. The couple is situated in the center focus of the photo, and they line up with the center of Times Square, which creates a very balance appearance to the viewer. I like the fact that the picture is in black-and-white, because this creates a feeling of a much simpler time, where there was less things to worry about. Now a days, we have hundreds of various colors to highlight our photos and document our lives, but the only thing that matters in this specific photo is the fact that the war has been won and the boys are back home safely. I think if this picture was in color it wouldn’t have nearly half the emphasis and effect that is does now on the observer. I enjoy this picture because it allows me to imagine a time when everyone was celebrating for the exact same reason, and there was no prejudice or reason to be anger with one another. It symbolizes the union of the nation under one flag, one picture, and one kiss, to celebrate something that this entire generation holds dear to their hearts, the victory earned during World War II from all the courageous men, and even women, who gave their lives for the greater good.
The picture that I am observing is from Jimi Hendrix Axis: Bold As Love album cover. In the picture you see a colorful mixture of all the Hindu Gods, with Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding, and Mitch Mitchell all in the front. In the back of all of the Gods and Jimi you see King Cobra heads over all of them, which is an important animal in Indian culture. In the very back of the picture there is also a Sun which seems to be shining on all of them. In the picture your eyes lead directly to Jimi and the sun in which the name of his band and the name of the album is in, that is probably because it was an album cover and Jimi was the head man. Jimi appears to be bigger then everything else in the picture, and all of the colors go together very harmoniously. There is also many different and interesting objects and people on the bodies of Jimi and the rest of the band.
I chose the photograph “Afghan Girl” by Steve McCurry. This photograph was featured in an edition of National Geographic. Her eyes are a somewhat haunting, telling her story of being a refugee student. Their deep green color seem longing for some sort of peace and a want to return to her home land. Her eyes seemed drained by the effects of the war occurring in her land. They also show anger towards the photographer. She seems angry that he is intruding on her. These eyes prove that the eye can captivate the hearts of numerous people. Her facial expression portrays the dignity of her people. Her beauty shows the innocence of her youth but her expression shows how the condition of her people has worn on her. Her expression is strong and resilient. The girl’s identity was unknown. She represents the numerous children of the refugee camp and the camp’s effects on the children. From a young age, this girl was hardened by her situation. The color in this photograph contrasts to bring out the depth of color in the afghan girl’s eyes. The green hunting eyes pierce through the photograph and evoke a somber emotion, respectful of a country worn down by war.
The picture I chose was taken by Moises Levy. It’s a black and white photograph of a dock leading out into the ocean. The reason that I like it is because it’s so simple, but you can tell the shot was well thought out by the fact that it is perfectly centered. It also follows the photographer’s rule of thirds, to make a photograph more pleasing and eye catching you break it up into thirds. Which Levy does, the dock itself starts at the bottom of the photograph in perfect thirds (the dock moves away getting skinnier as it goes). Then the top third is broken up by the dock ending and the sky line beginning. Also the sky line’s clouds are really perfect for the mood black and white make. Then the fact that the dock is lighter “closer” to the viewer but everything else it’s in the top middle is the bright spot, leading me to believe that it was recolored on purpose (besides being black and white). The piece to me feels like the dock is the rest of your life, it asking you to move forward. I feel drawn into the piece and, it being black and white gives it another worldly feel. But I’ve always loved black and white, it feels happy and sad all at the same time. But anyway it’s a really good piece. http://pichaus.com/landscapes-white-black-@d63745ee800af3535d43e64e4aad731f/
This photo features John F. Kennedy and his daughter Caroline lying in her crib. The photo is in all black and white, JFK has a striped tie and suit on, and the nursery walls are decorated with strips of flowers. In the back, there appears to be either a heater or a changing table. First of all, the fact that this photo was taken in black and white tells the age of this picture because it was not intentionally taken in black and white, colored pictures were just not available yet. But the fact that it is in black and white makes it more dramatic. Secondly, my eyes shift directly to Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline in her crib. She is not asleep in her crib, she is looking at her father who is smiling at her, however only her eyes and the top of her head are visible. The fact that her mouth cannot be seen gives the picture a sort of mystery and playful tone. You don’t know for sure whether she is smiling back at her father. The angle that this picture was taken is also very interesting because only the side of Kennedy’s face is visible but enough is revealed to make out he is smiling. Overall, I think this picture reflects how much Kennedy loved his family and particularly his young daughter. I think it also reveals innocence since Caroline just stares up at her father with wide eyes, not knowing how much responsibility he holds.
I chose a photograph by award winning photographer Annie Leibowitz. The scene is titled “Where You Never Have to Grow Up.” Annie took this photograph as one in a series of photographs for the Disney Parks. This particular photo depicts the famous Disney characters Wendy, Peter Pan, and Tinkerbell. Gisele Bunchen portrays Wendy Darling, with dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov as Peter Pan and actress Tina Fey as Tinker Bell. The photograph has an appeal to all who know and love the classic Disney tale. It is almost like looking at a scene shot straight from a live action version of the film. Peter Pan is floating in the windowsill to the right of the photograph in his typical hunter/elf garb. Dead center in the photograph lays a curtain with a windblown appearance, which leads the eye from Peter at the right to Wendy at the left. There she is dressed just as one would imagine in a nightgown of course clutching the metal rod bed covered in striped seats. Her gaze above leads straight to Tinkerbell, who is surrounded by a swirl of her famous pixie dust. Over the entire photo is very dark with the brightest color being the blue of the sky and the blue of Wendy’s bed sheets. It adds a sense of mystery and makes the viewer feel as if they truly are in the fairy tale. This photograph makes me feel nostalgic. It reminds me of when I was a kid and would sit and watch Disney movies for hours, which I suppose makes for a good advertisement for Disney, which was the photos original purpose. I love that the stars are as recognizable as the characters they are portraying as well. It adds a twist that draws in the viewer. I do find it somewhat ironic that Mikhail Baryshnikov actually appears quite old, with graying hair, when Peter Pan is always depicted as very young. This is the kind of photograph that you can hang in your room and feel the youthful essence that emerges from the photograph and you can admire the elegance and beauty of the photograph as a work of art.
I enjoyed a beautiful photo of Marilyn Monroe on the beach. The picture is simply Marilyn Monroe jumping on the sand for a photo shoot on Toby Beach. My eyes are at first drawn to the center where a small spotted blanket is covering her body. The picture is in black and white, yet Marilyn’s body is outlined with light. She is pictured with her mouth open and her legs and arms spread. The clouds and sky in the background looks very serene and calm. Marilyn looks like she is enjoying a lovely day at the beach. This photo reminds me of my beach days when I was younger. I would love to jump around on the sand and try to get “jumping pictures”. I loved playing in the ocean and literally jumping over the waves while my sun bleached hair blew softly in the breeze. In this photo, Marilyn acts as if she is younger with her blonde hair flowing in the wind and a gigantic smile on her face. I know this photograph was part of a photo shoot, but this picture looks as if it were taken for a certain reason, to show her spunky side and charisma. It may just look like a regular ‘jumping on the sand’ type of picture, but I think it tells a story of her wonder years as a child, leaping through the sand, with a giant smile on her face.
I chose this picture of Mason Plumlee because I love Duke Basketball and I love Mason Plumlee. Mason Plumlee is my role model in anything basketball related. In this picture, my eyes are immediately drawn to his facial expression. I also notice the blurred crowd in the background and the blue, white, and black colors of his uniform. I think the crowd is blurred in the background because the photographer wants to emphasis Mason Plumlee’s facial expression. I think the phtotgrapher wanted to show how intense Mason was getting and how fierce he is when he is on the court. This picture also shows how strong Mason is and how tough he must be, just by the looks of his muscles. I think the meaning of this photo is to express Mason’s love for the game and to show how much it means to him. This photo makes me love Mason even more because it shows how much he cares and loves what he is doing. It proves that he is putting 100% effort into that game.
I found the picture at:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=mason+plumlee+dunking&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&sa=N&rlz=1R2ADFA_enUS388&biw=1280&bih=639&tbm=isch&tbnid=gLEjunl2mcdCuM:&imgrefurl=http://www.dukehoopblog.com/2011/11/11/2011-12-duke-blue-devils-player-spotlight-mason-plumlee/&docid=sMkjPeqlX18nDM&imgurl=http://www.dukehoopblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Mason-Scream.jpg&w=303&h=450&ei=isPmToa-IYrV0QG3xOyhCg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=202&sig=117865413649016737347&page=1&tbnh=134&tbnw=73&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0&tx=44&ty=19
The painting I picked is by Monet. The painting is of a house in the country after snowfall. In the painting, the trees are covered with snow. The field is also covered by snow. The field is separated from the house by a wall. On the other side of the wall, there is a yellow house covered by snow on the roof. The house is on a hill and there are trees descending down the hill. The sky is a white, gray color. The snow on the ground is undisturbed. There are no footprints or tire prints in the snow. This helps to create a serene environment in the painting. The colors work perfectly together to add to the painting’s peaceful atmosphere. The soft colors help show how peaceful the snow and being in the country truly can be for someone. When I first saw this picture, my eye was drawn to the declining hill. The hill helps give the perspective that the house is in the country and is isolated. The isolation of the house also helps contribute to the calm atmosphere. One reason I picked this painting is because I have always loved the snow and I feel that Monet does a great job portraying how serene the snow is and how everyone can enjoy the snow.
This optical illusion was created by a Swiss artist Sandro Del Prete. He is best known for creating impossible and ambiguous scenes. I believe Sandro used a lot of math and geometry while creating this scene. He had to depict the angles perfectly to really mess with the viewer’s mind. Every aspect of this scene is done on purpose by Sandro, each playing a different role. I believe Sandro used black and white, the two most opposite colors, to point out the two different sides of the chess board. He also did not want to take attention away from the illusion itself by using bright and attention seeking colors. Next I believe Sandro’s main points of focus are at the four corners of the chess board. These corners are what creates the optical illusion and tricks the mind. Sandro also focuses in on the laders. He does this because they emphasize the idea that there are two different sides to this chess board sitting on what seems a flat surface. When I stare at this scene it makes me feel confused. It doesn’t matter how long I stare at if for, I cannot figure it out. This is what Sandro was going for, and is one of the reasons he is known as one of the best optical illusion artists.
I chose The Kiss by Alfred Eisenstaedt. The World War II veteran, dressed in dark colors, is kissing a nurse, dressed in white. The photograph is in black and white and takes place in Times Square in New York. The nurse has one leg popped and the veteran has both of his arms wrapped around her. Everyone standing around in the background is smiling or laughing and has a happy expression on their face.
When you first look at this photo, you attention is immediately drawn to the two people standing in the middle, kissing. As you continue to study the picture, you notice all of the other people standing around behind the main focus, dressed in the same veteran outfit and the man kissing the nurse. This is obviously a happy occasion because everyone is smiling and looks very easy going. Because the picture is in black and white, there is natural contrast between the people wearing light outfits and dark outfits, however, the nurse being in white and the veteran being in dark impacts the photo the most. The setting behind them also helps with the mood of the picture. IN Times Square with a whole bunch of people gives the picture a special meaning like something special is happening, which it is. Lastly, the way the man and woman who are kissing are larger than the other people behind them shows that they are supposed to be the very first part of the picture that catches your eye.
I know the story behind this photograph, but whenever I first look at it, I see a veteran who has just come home from war and runs into a nurse whom he had met during his stay. He is so happy to see her and has feelings for her, so he kisses her. This is actually a photograph of when the veterans from World War II had arrived home and this man was so happy, that he was just going around kissing random girls. I think the dark colors of the veteran portray where he is coming from and the fact that he was out fighting was a dark, dreary task and the nurse, in white, represents hope for him coming home and hope for the country after the war.
Football is the sport that relates to me most. I have played since I was a little kid up until this past season. The photograph I chose is known as “The Catch” and is one of the most famous sports photographs in history. It shows Dwight Clark receiving the game winning touchdown pass to give the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. In this photograph I see red and gold. I also see blue and white. In the background of the photograph the stands are filled with people creating a many multicolored dots. My eye is drawn to Dwight catching the football, and the guy on the other team who tried to stop him. Dwight has to jump in air just to catch this pass. The football also stands out in the photograph. The photograph makes me feel excited because he catches the ball for his team to win. The story this photograph tells is obvious. It tells the story of all the hard work and dedications paying off in the end because of one touchdown catch. The catch ensured the win for the 49ers. The catch symbolizes the importance of each moment. If he did not catch this football, the 49ers would not have won. In the background you call see all of Dwight’s teammates watching in anticipation if he will actually make this catch or not. The Catch made my Dwight Clark goes down in the history as one of the greatest ever.
http://www.starkinsider.com/2011/12/golden-ratio-rule-of-thirds-tested-the-catch-incredible-analysis-of-famous-photo.html
This photograph is of a 3D art project done by the British artist Joe Hill, teamed up with Reebok’s CrossFit, and it currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest and largest 3D street art. It features a winter scene of a canyon, equipped with white snow, toppling rocks, perilous heights, and a waterfall and flowing river below. The eye is immediately drawn to the depth created with the canyon and the water. The water creates two straight lines that give the image of depth and perspective—it appears to go down and continue on for a great distance, with emphasis on the depth. The rich browns off-set the crisp white of the snow and the chalky blue waters. There are many shapes—squares in the rocks, ovals in the ledges, rectangles in the water line. The people depicted in this photograph add to the realism of the 3D image. It is a brilliant masterpiece, one that catches my eye and draws my attention in to all of the detail. Plus the simple fact that this is done on pavement! It is mind boggling and amazing.
http://q8allinone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/worlds-largest-3d-painting.jpg
The painting I chose to analyze might not be one of the most admired paintings ever done, but it is definitely among the most well known. There is no doubt in my mind that everyone in Saint Mark’s is familiar with these paintings. C.M. Coolidge did a series of paintings that he called “Dogs Playing Poker.” There have been countless interpretations and references to this painting mostly because it is a unique and funny looking, but if you actually think and look at it for a while you can find meanings that you might not expect. When I look at it of course I see dogs doing something dogs would not normally do. Some paintings also have the dogs doing different things, such as wearing clothes or cheating. After thinking about it, maybe it’s not about dogs playing poker but showing the inside of men playing poker. They don’t behave like gentlemen so maybe that’s why they are depicted as dogs. On the other hand it could be a depiction of the changes of nature since humans have become a part. Humans are the only animals that make up these things to entertain themselves when a dog is happiest sitting next to his master getting his ears scratched. There are many ways you can interpret this painting including if it is serious or a joke which is one of the main reasons I like it. Art is made not for the artist but for those who look at it to understand or misunderstand the feelings of the artist however they wish.
The painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper caught my eye right away. The painting seems to be of a darkly lit street at night, with a bar encased in glass taking up most of the scene. The colors are dark for the most part. There are lots of blacks and reds throughout the painting. There are four people in the painting, a bartender, a man sitting alone, and another man sitting with a woman. While examining the painting, your eyes are pulled toward the bar and to me, it feels like I want to be sitting at that bar myself. The bar feels warm and inviting compared to the rest of the painting. The bar is brighter and has the only white in the whole painting in it. Also the fact that there are people in the bar makes it seem even more inviting. The bar seems so much more appealing to me compared to the cold, outside street. I can kind of see myself in the painting almost, like I would be another one of those lone men like the one that is in the painting. He looks like he just walked in from off the street and has just sat down to relax, which is something I could see myself doing if I was walking on that street.
The painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper caught my eye right away. The painting seems to be of a darkly lit street at night, with a bar encased in glass taking up most of the scene. The colors are dark for the most part. There are lots of blacks and reds throughout the painting. There are four people in the painting, a bartender, a man sitting alone, and another man sitting with a woman. While examining the painting, your eyes are pulled toward the bar and to me, it feels like I want to be sitting at that bar myself. The bar feels warm and inviting compared to the rest of the painting. The bar is brighter and has the only white in the whole painting in it. Also the fact that there are people in the bar makes it seem even more inviting. The bar seems so much more appealing to me compared to the cold, outside street. I can kind of see myself in the painting almost, like I would be another one of those lone men like the one that is in the painting. He looks like he just walked in from off the street and has just sat down to relax, which is something I could see myself doing if I was walking on that street.
The photograph I choose to analyze is titled “Lunchtime atop a Skyscraper” by Charles C. Ebbets during the construction of the GE Building at Rockefeller Center on September 29th, 1932. Ebbets took the photo on the 69th floor of the building during the last months of construction, and it appeared in the New York Herald Tribune. The photograph depicts eleven men eating lunch while sitting on a girder with their feet dangling hundreds of feet above the streets of New York City. All the men in the picture are normal, everyday construction workers that epitomize life in the 1930s and 40s when these buildings were being made. The focus of the photograph is easily recognized as the workers and the camera makes this clear in the way that the men stand out clearly in comparison to the city behind them. The eye is drawn immediately down the line of men and then slowly you drift off into the background of the miniscule buildings surrounding them. Overall this picture helps put things into life into perspective. Looking at how small New York City looks from so high up makes you realize that there are bigger and greater things out there in life. Meaning that the drama and stress you’re dealing with now isn’t going to be the end of your life and there will always be bigger, better things waiting for you to discover. One look at this picture reminds the viewer of that. Another message this picture emits is the feeling of endless possibilities. The fact that these men were building such wonders in the 1950s, when they didn’t even have color photography, leads one to dream of what they will be able to build in the future with pure American ingenuity. This photograph captures what it means to be an American: hard-working, care-free, and limitless.
The picture I have chosen to analysis is the picture of the American soldiers raising the American flag over the island of Iwo Jima in the Philippines. Many have seen this picture and many feel the tide of emotions that come forward when viewed. To me this picture is the embodiment of American Pride and Spirit. It shows our willingness to never quit at our goals as Americans and even in the face of great odds that we can and will overcome in the end. This picture in a way embodies the American Dream where anything is possible through hardwork and sacrifice, and that’s exactly what happened that made this picture possible. It makes me proud to be an American and live in this country when I see this photograph of those soldiers raising our flag in triumph over our enemies. But it also makes me remember all those men and women who give theirs lives everyday to ensure that the American Way and Dream are still possible. And that we all can go on living our lives the way we do as Americans and for that I will be forever grateful. This picture brings forth waves of emotions in me that make me proud and grateful to be an American and that sometimes we all take advantages of our freedoms here so it helps me sit back and reflect on how I can live to appreciate our culture. And there is no better picture to help make that happen then this one.
The picture I decided to analyze is the famous painting by Raphael, The School of Athens. This painting is very beautiful for many reasons. One of the most impressive parts of this painting is the sense of perspective. Raphael was one of the early famous painters to understand perspective by using a vanishing point. This was one of the first paintings to perfect the 3D illusion of perspective. When first glancing at this painting, the first things that stand out are all of the people in the picture. Each of them has clothing on that is colorful or that stands out from the background of the painting. Each person in the painting is doing something different and is in a different poison. This makes the painting more interesting. There is so much intricate detail to everything in the picture. There is nothing simple about this stunning painting. Raphael used very good light contrast to make the painting seem more alive and realistic. I can understand why people still admire this famous painting today.
http://www.hemmy.net/images/arts2/surrealworks01.jpg
I looked up "beautiful surreal paintings" on google and the second I saw this painting I knew that it was the one that I had to do. Before I even thought of it I felt like I knew everything about it. In the painting there is a blood shot eye and it is cracking like and egg and a snake is hatching out of it. The first thing my eye was drawn to was the pale blue/gray iris of the eye and how a little chip of it has fallen off. I believe a lot of things can be taken from this painting. The snake is within a human eye and most people are fearful of snakes so it can symbolize that all humans' fears lie within themselves. It can also refer to the serpent in the book of creation as the snake being a symbol of sin and that all sins start out of the eyes. Our eyes are what tempt us and lead us astray. Our eyes are what get us in trouble. In another sense it can refer to how the serpent betrayed Adam and Eve and that our eyes can also decieve us.
I chose a photograph that was taken on the day of John F. Kennedy's assassination. It is black and white, and it pictures John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy seated in the back of the famous convertible limousine that he was assassinated in, turning a street corner. You can see several bystanders excitedly waving at the Kennedy's as they cruise by, while security is close by. President Kennedy scratches the back of his head while Jackie waves at bystanders. A window on the sixth floor of a building ahead is open. There is not much artistic description in terms of lines, shape, color etc., because the photo was snapped by a random bystander, it was not meant to be a piece of world history. It is daytime, and there are several ironic happenings in this photograph. The President is scratching his head with it crooked, almost as if looking hurt, just as he turns the corner for the street in which he will be shot in the head. Even more eery, the window on the 6th floor that is cracked, is the window from which the bullets were shot, and Jackie seems to be looking up at it. I chose this picture because of the extreme sadness, eeriness, and irony. In the photograph taken before this one you can see that Jackie is holding a bouquet of red roses, which seems to foreshadow his death since flowers are always given to family members of the deceased. The fact that the President is scratching his head, to me, seems to foreshadow his death, almost like he felt it coming. This picture makes me extremely sad and gives me a better idea of the extreme travesty America experienced when their beloved President was assassinated.
I chose a painting called The Red Boat by Claude Monet. The painting has strictly blue and green colors in the water and in the sky. The only thing in the painting that is not blue or green is the boats. The boats are red and make the painting pop. The lines and colors also draw the eye to the boats. I like this painting because it is very calm and it is also very realistic unlike some other paintings. I like how the boats reflect in the water and the sky looks clear except for a few clouds. In eighth grade I did my first research paper on Claude Monet so when I saw this, I thought of him instantly. The reason I have always liked Monet paintings is because of the technique he uses. Up close, a Monet painting looks like little dabs of paint which gives it texture and makes it a lot more interesting to look at. The technique he uses is unlike any other painter and makes his paintings very unique and easy to decipher next to others. I chose this painting because it reminds me of where my grandparents live, with all the boats at the Yacht club.
https://bcsengage.wikispaces.com/file/view/06kiss2_span.jpg/51085105/06kiss2_span.jpg
V-J Day in Times Square is a photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt. It was taken the day that Japan surrendered in World War Two. You can tell that this is a happy photograph by the faces of all the people in the photograph, especially the one sailor in the background of the photo. You can also tell that it a good day in history because the street is packed when the street it usually filled with cars. The contrast of the man and woman’s clothing gives the photo extra impact. If her dress was a darker color the photo would not be as good. It makes you focus right on the man and woman in the front. The angle of the photo also gives it depth. Seeing all the people in the background set the mood of the photo. You can tell that it is not staged. It is real life. I think this is why the photograph became so famous.
This painting is a young girl holding a watering can. She is standing in the middle of a garden. My eye is drawn to the girl in this painting. It looks like the girl is wearing an Irish dancing dress. The blue dress makes her stand out against the green grass. I feel like the left side of the painting has more detail than the right side. The left side has the flowers, while the right side has a brown path and a bush or shrub in the background. It looks like she is happy or content with herself. I like how she is the center of attention and the flowers and all other plants don’t take the focus. The garden complements the girl in this picture. It gives me a sense of new life because she is young and the flowers have bloomed. The story to go a long with the painting is the little girl is probably helping her mother watering the plants in the garden.
This is a famous photo taken on August 14, 1945 on VJ day. This was taken after the president announced that the war with Japan was over. The background is of Times Square near Broadway. Looking at this photo, it looks as if everyone in the photo is ecstatic. The people in the background are smiling and clapping for the end of the war. The two people that are the main focus of the photograph are in contrast with each other because one is wearing a dark uniform and the other is wearing a white uniform, this makes them stand out from the rest of the crowd. The woman is wearing white, she is a nurse. The man is a sailor; he is wearing a dark uniform. This photo shows the joy of everyone with the end of the war being announced. The sailor is probably especially happy because he does not have to go to war and face the enemy and maybe die. This photograph is one of the most popular photographs of World War II. The pose of the kissing couple is replicated often in statues. The pose is perfect because it is romantic and is not the regular way that people are usually photographed kissing. This picture makes you happy to look at it which is why I chose it to write about.
http://www.artofthesouth.com/search/images/art/disney50th.jpg
This painting is of Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty’s Castle decorated for it’s 50th birthday. This painting has a story behind it like the blonde girls in the bottom right corner who is the artist’s Thomas Kinkade’s children and of him buying the balloons or the many hidden Mickeys throughout the picture. My mom has this painting hanging up in her room along with another painting of Disney. I was actually there when Disneyland was celebrating its birthday and the castle looked very beautiful laced with gold and topped with crowns. This painting is very special to me because it reminds me of the happiness and the mood of Disneyland. When I first look at the picture, I see the castle taking spotlight and ushering people to come through and let their dreams come true.
The picture I chose to do is one of Albert Pujols being greeted by Angels fans. This picture is courtesy of Sports Illustrated and was taken the day after Albert was traded at a ceremony to welcome him to Los Angeles. When I look at this picture I instantly see an old man in the front row with a look of elation in this frenzy. He seems out of place because he is sporting a green hoodie with a design that resembles sweatshirts worn by teenagers. Also he seems to be the only senior citizen, or "geezer", out there. Lastly, unlike everyone else, he is aware that a picture is being taken and smiling for the camera. This I think is funny because everyone else is paying attention to Albert and not the camera. The next thing I notice is a father holding his toddler amidst autograph craving fans. I noticed this because a baby sticks out in a crowd of adults. I can't help but wonder what that parent was thinking when he brought his child there.
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