Picture by Paul Strand

List 3 things the photographer might have been interested in capturing in this picture?

The photographer focused on capturing the shadows or the sun to make shadows, tone, or the value of the photograph (brightness and darkness), and maybe patterns created from the shadows.

If you were the photographer, what title would you give it? Explain why.

I would like to give this photograph as the title of ” Brightness or Darkness tone”. This photograph, it includes both tones of dark or bright. The shadow created by the stairs and sun, and the brightness created directly by the sun make the photograph unique to have different tones.

Name one thing you think is unusual about the photograph.

I think the focus on the main subject is a bit unusual. The viewers can’t identify what is the main object, and the purpose of the object. From my standpoint, the photo has a ‘sandy’ feeling. The photo isn’t blurry, but it looks dusty. Moreover, it is interesting for Paul Strand to emphasize the shadows and the light, instead of fully focusing on the main subject(the table).

Describe the use of line, shape, pattern, texture, tone, and focus

The dominant and eye-catching elements Paul Strand used in this photograph are shape, pattern, and tone. The shadow of the stairs made 5 long shapes with repetition which created a pattern. The patterns and shapes attracted the viewer’s focus on the shadows or the brightness. Lastly, the most important in this photograph is the tone. It is unique and interesting that the author included two tones. It can be constructed between the brightness on the table created by the sun and the darkness created by the shadows.

What do you think is the best thing about this photograph?

I think the best thing about this photograph is how the photograph was taken by Paul Strand. It is fascinating to use two kinds of tones. He utilized the shadow to attract the viewers to focus on the shadows. The sandy or dusty feeling of the table was also great. It gives me a pleasing and calming feeling.

Explain what the phrase Formal Elements means in photography/ Describe each of the 6 elements discussed so far (Line, Shape, pattern, texture, tone, focus)

Photography is more than an art; it’s all a skill. The formal elements are the 6 elements that make the photograph. A photograph usually includes one or multiple factors. There are 6 elements that photographers should focus on. Each aspect provides the photograph different uniqueness. The elements include line, shape, pattern, texture, tone or value, and focus. All of the elements can be combined and make a photograph. Line and Shape are literally what the name means ” line and shape.” To use the elements of lines or shapes, the picture includes any lines or shapes. It can be any shape or line, horizontal or vertical, round or squared, etc. The pattern in elements means repetition of anything. In a photograph using the pattern element,  something is repetitive in a predictable way. Patterns can be found everywhere; the object can be a shape, a line, colors, even textures. Texture in photographs is the visual quality of an object. It shows how the object feels. The tone in photography usually refers to the brightness in the photograph from dark to bright; it’s the color variation in an image. Lastly, the focus is basically how focused is the main subject. It’s how blurred or clear the photograph is.

Examples that emphasize each element

Line(tone,shape)

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Shape(tone,texture)

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Texture (pattern,shape,line,focus)

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Pattern (shape, tone)

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Tone (Focus)

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Focus(texture,shape)

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Can an image show just one element at a time?

From my standpoint, an image can’t only show one element. Most of the photographs usually include 2 to 3 elements.  It is possible that photographers emphasize hardly or make it more evident in one element, but I think it isn’t likely to include only one element in the picture. For example, looking at the repetition photo of the building, it is obvious that the element showed in the picture will be a pattern or repetition to most people. However, this is kind of wrong. It depends on how the author or the viewers interpret it. The windows or the building have a shape of a rectangle. It also has a bright tone, not a dark one. There are several elements included in this photograph. Photographs can’t have only one element.

About Abstract Photography

Abstract photographs are photos that are non-objective, non-representative, and might look “confusing.” It makes the audiences wonder or imagine the main subject or the main purpose of the photo. Abstract photographs change our thinking; it makes us have various perspectives towards something. It makes you think out of the box. There are no clear contexts included in the abstract photographs, so it leads us to further interpretation. Moreover, it uniquely photographs every object. There are emotions and different perspectives behind the photos depending on how people interpret them. The abstract photos can be done in various ways, such as zooming in, zooming out, making the photo blurry, reflections in water or mirrors, using shadows, lighting, etc.

Researching the Starting Point

How can photography change our relationship to things?

Photography changes our perspectives on different things, whether it is everyday objects, concepts, or ideas. Moreover, it changes one’s mood or emotions. People can make different interpretations of the object.

What is pictorialism?

Pictorialism is an approach to photography from pictorialists and reinvented or emphasized it as an art form, placing beauty, tonality, and composition. Pictorialism is an international style that dominated the photography world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It has a connection with the world of art.

What is abstract photography?

Abstract photography can be defined as non-objective photographs. It makes the photo unique, and it makes the audience wonder about the photo. The abstract photos can be done in numerous ways including, zooming in, zooming out, reflections, etc. It creates a new way to look at the object in a creative way. It entails depicting a certain image that has no direct connection to the object.

Write a short biography about Albert Renger-Patzsch

Albert Renger Patzsch born on June 22, 1897, was a German photographer whose work formed the photographic component of New Objectivity.  His photography life began when he   was twelve, and he believed that real photography meant to have the ability to represent the essence of an object or the texture of reality.

From looking at his image above, What types of subjects do you think Albert Renger Patzsch preferred to photograph?

From these photographs, it seems that Albert Renger Patzsch preferred to take pictures of objects that we use or see every day. Albert also emphasized lights, nature, and repetition. The photos included a black and white theme and had zoom ins/ outs.

Why do you think he entitled his famous book, ‘The World is Beautiful’?

I think he named his book ‘The World is Beautiful’ because he wanted to show how wonderful is the earth and the world that individuals are living in. Moreover, photography presented beauty and art. Everything that was photographed in our world symbolizes beauty.

Why do you think Edward Weston moved away from the soft-focus of pictorialism to the new Straight photography movement? – the idea that ordinary objects and scenes can be photographed to reveal their beauty

Maybe because the trend changed at that time. He believed that there was more potential for using new skills. In addition, straight photography showed more natural or realistic pictures to the viewers. People started to focus more sharply focused pictures. He might have thought that if photography had to be “fine art” it should be realistic and no manipulation in photographs. He believed that he had to depict reality.

Give examples of one of his pictorialist images and one of his straight images.

Pictorialism

Straight photography

How has Aaron Siskind (above been influenced by the Straight Photography Movement?

Aaron Siskind was a popular American photographer whose works had focused on details. Moreover, he presented flat surfaces to create a new image from the original subject. He took pictures of objects that are simultaneously realistic and included abstraction in his photos. He was interested in discovering the subject and photographing it with a certain emphasis of his perspectives with abstraction. He combined straight photography with abstraction.

Name some other photographers that have been influenced by straight photography

Ansel Adams

Henry Fedrick Evens

Paul Strand

What makes the work of Andreas Gursky and Uta Barth abstract. Are they straight photographers? Why?

Firstly, for Andreas Gursky, the photographs have a unique theme. The author zoomed out, making the main subject(s) or huge subjects smaller. The photograph also showed some repetition such as the buildings. These type of photos definitely includes abstraction which makes the audience to wonder, but also pleasing to look at. I think Andreas Gursky is a straight photographer, cause these photos aren’t manipulated. These photos are related to what we see every day, it is realistic. Next, for Uta barth, the photographs also use a unique technique. A lot of photos are zoomed in and blurry which makes the viewers misunderstand. However, these photos draw attention from the viewers to look at the details of the subjects. The photos by Uta barth consists abstraction but it is not straight photographs. It doesn’t really show the “reality”, and it manipulates the camera lens to make it blurry.

1. What is the purpose of rules in photography?

Rules are significant in managing to take better pictures. Rules usually help people to improve their photography skills. In addition, it helps the viewers to easily understand the purpose of the photo. It artistically arranges the picture.

2. In your mind, what are some of the most important rules in photography?

From my standpoint, some of the most important rules are “making pictures clear, not blurry” and “story behind the picture.” If the pictures are blurry, it makes the viewers misunderstand and usually can’t see the main subject in the photo. The story behind the picture is also essential because, without an explanation, it might confuse the viewers. There might be a misinterpretation between the authors’ actual meaning of the photo and viewers’ thoughts.

3. When might it be a good idea to deliberately break the rules?

Sometimes, some individuals consider the goal of photography isn’t just to follow the rules; it’s to create meaningful, depth, and creative pictures. When an author wants to give a specific and depth message by pictures, sometimes, it is possible to show it by breaking the rules. It is also a creative idea to intentionally break the rules to make the picture unique in photography.

4. Do you think it is possible to break the rules if you don’t know they exist?  Give reasons for your answer

Yes, I think breaking rules is a creative way to provide viewers a meaningful picture. Excluding the fact that there are rules existing in photography, it is definitely possible for people to make mistakes. People have different opinions towards pictures. Some people consider pictures that break the rules are great. They might not notice they are breaking rules, but they think their pictures are exceptional, so they might keep breaking rules.

5. Can a ‘bad’ picture ever be ‘great’? – How important is context in photography? ( context= why a picture was taken, when or where it was taken, and what message you were trying to make)

Yes, a bad picture can be meaningful.  It might provide a moral to the viewers that not every picture should be perfect. Moreover, people have different opinions toward pictures. Some might say it is a great picture, but some don’t. The context shows the purpose of the photo which leads to a better understanding for the viewers. People might hold wrong thoughts by just looking at the photo, they don’t understand the author by visual contact. However, by the context, they might recognize that they misunderstood the intent of the photo.

Link to pdf file

Wrong

In Photography, context is important. Context usually sets the tone in how other might think of your image. Context is connected with the purpose of the photo.  In the photo name “Wrong”, without the text underneath the picture, it can’t show any meaning of the photo. The viewers might think the creators’ photo taking skill is bad making the photo blurry and not focused in the main subject. However with the explanation with the artist John Baldessari, the viewers are now able to understand the purpose of this photo which is to show that picture has no wrong or right; and people shouldn’t judge someones’ art. There is a huge difference in with the context and without it. Context usually will make the viewers understand the art.