The grid-shaped pattern, an eye-catching contrast between white and blue, and uniquely organized balconies are all components Andreas Gursky captured that made the photo intriguing. 

If I were to name this photo, I would name it “Identity.” Andreas Gursky played with symbolism in this photo. The story goes far beyond just balconies and chairs. Some chairs face outward, and some face inward; some are neat, some are messily placed, some curtains are closed, and some are open. It symbolizes the unique personalities inside of everyone. All the windows and balconies are the same shape, size, texture, and color, but inside, every room is organized in its own way. This reflects the world we live in today,  everyone has different identities. On the outside, everyone is human, but it is the different personalities and identities that make us special. 

Gursky uses line, shape, pattern, texture, tone, and focus to create this amazing photo. The lines form a grid shape, a continuous pattern that catches the viewer’s attention. There are no other components in this photo than the grid. It helps the viewer to focus on the main subject of the photo. Shape, texture, and pattern are presented by the balconies. All of them are the same shape and texture and follow a continuous pattern, but it is how differently they are organized that makes them all unique and, therefore, interesting. Tone is shown through the fierce contrast between white and blue. It resembled the hues of the sky and clouds, lightly hinting at how high up they are, like they are touching the sky. Finally, Gursky focused the camera on another platform at a parallel height to the subject instead of an angle under or above it. It helps to create a more balanced and cleaner image.