- Top image: “Street Reflection”
- Middle image: “Glass Self – Portrait”
- Bottom image: “Mirror Moment”
Use of Art Elements
- Line: The first image has vertical lines from buildings and horizontal lines from the sidewalk, structuring the scene. In the second, the glass panes’ vertical and horizontal lines create a grid – like effect, while in the third, the lines within the vehicle frame the subject. These lines guide the viewer’s eye and add a sense of order.
- Shape: Geometric shapes of architecture and organic shapes of human figures co – exist. The rectangular forms of storefronts and glass contrast with the fluid shapes of people, adding visual interest.
- Texture: The smooth texture of glass in the second and third images stands out against the rough textures of the urban environment in the first, like the pavement and building exteriors.
Composition Ideas
- Frame – within – a – Frame: The second image uses the glass as a frame to capture a reflected scene, adding depth and a sense of layering. It draws the viewer into a multi – dimensional visual experience.
- Leading Lines: In the first image, the lines of the building and sidewalk lead towards the people, while in the third, interior vehicle lines direct attention to the person in the mirror. This technique emphasizes the subjects.
- Balance: Each image achieves balance. The first has the people centered with equal visual weight around them. The second balances reflected elements, and the third balances the person within the mirror’s frame.
Links to Artists
These images resonate with the works of Lee Friedlander. Friedlander was known for his urban street photography that often incorporated reflections, framing, and a focus on the human presence within the cityscape. The use of glass and mirror reflections, along with the exploration of urban social landscapes in these images, mirrors Friedlander’s approach to capturing the essence of modern urban life.
Themes and Concepts
- Urban Living: All three images depict aspects of urban life, showing how people interact with and are part of the city environment.
- Reflection and Identity: The second image, especially, explores identity through the reflected self – portrait of the photographer. The third image also touches on identity with the partial view of a person in the mirror.
- Transience: The first image shows a momentary gathering of people, and the third captures a fleeting glimpse of someone in transit, highlighting the transient nature of urban experiences.
Camera Technique and Post – Editing Choice
- Camera Technique: The shallow depth of field in the third image isolates the person in the mirror, making them the focal point. In the second, a long exposure might have been used to capture clear reflections, and a wide – angle in the first gives a broader view of the urban scene.
- Post – Editing Choice: Converting the images to black and white adds a timeless quality. It removes color distractions, enhancing contrast between light and shadow, texture, and composition, making the art elements more prominent.