Blog Task

This is blog post 5 on DX

1. PICK ONE PHOTOGRAPH FROM ONE OF THE NAMED PHOTOGRAPHERS “Abstract photography can be defined as capturing images in which the subject isn’t the most interesting element. Albert Renger-Patzsch, Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind photographed the ordinary to reveal their beauty. Uta Barth reversed the typical use of the camera, shooting out of focus and Andreas Gursky photographs the repetition of elements. During this unit you will investigate appropriate examples of abstract photography and respond in your own way..”

1. Copy the photograph into your blog
2. List 3 things the photographer might have been interested in capturing in this picture?
3. If you were the photographer, what title would you give it? Explain why.
4. Describe the use of line, shape, Pattern, texture, tone and focus – USE THE NOTES ABOVE AS A GUIDE. SOME EXAMPLES of WORK BELOW.
5. MAKE SURE YOU CITE SOURCES!!!

99 Cents

 

Elements of interest in the Photograph

The following information was generated from an analysis of “99 cents” from “The Broad):

1. capturing the overwhelming flood of products presented to consumers (in terms of quantity, color, choice)
2. contrasting the varied textures of each brand of products, while also showing repetition in the rows of items and uniformity of packaging
3. The relationship between consumers and products (showing consumers as sporadically spread out between aisles, looking almost anonymous and lost in a sea of merchandise.
4. Interesting near – symmetrical structure of an ubiquitous, normal, unartistic looking supermarket

After further research, it is also interesting to note that through digital manipulation, Andreas Gursky actually reflected the supermarket onto the ceiling of the store, further adding to the overwhelming visual effect and to the sensation of being surrounded by consumer culture gone mad (“COMPLETE: The Woulds of Wall Street”).

Alternate Name??

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

I think that the title “99 cents” is suitable; it offers context on the subject of the photograph, while the mention of money in the title also appeals to the theme of the photo. However, if I were to name it, I would probably name it “My Romantic Dollarscape”. “The Romantic Dollarscape” is actually the name of a painting (Pedro Álvarez — Cuban Art Database, n.d.) by Pedro Alvarez, but I thought that it is fitting for this photograph.

“My” is ironic considering that “my” connotates a personal relationship with an object, while the photograph seems impersonal rather than personal,  taking on a wide POV that offers a very different perspective from that of the human eye. The shoppers are anonymous and are usually backfacing the viewer, so their features are undistinguished. Furthermore, the products are all mass produced, which means that they are all similar and produced with lack of creativity and individuality, and are not personal to the viewer. “Romantic” is also ironic, considering the uniformity and saturated designs of the packaging make it look superficial and cheap (as typical of a 99cent store) rather than romantic. Dollarscape is created by blending 2 words – dollar and scape – together. Dollar stands for our unit of money, while scape denotes “an extensive view, scenery” (“Dictionary.com”). Dollarscape does not seem to be a dictionary word, but the audience will probably understand it as a scenery to do with money, which again calls back to the theme with a dramatic flair, adding some flavor to a normal 99cents store. It also likens the view of the store to natural scenery, which also mirrors how the rows of products seem to form an artificial landscape.

Analysis

Line – the entire picture is composed of many lines. Those that most capture the audience’s attention are the long, horizontal straight lines that are formed by the rows of merchandise. I find these interesting, as they mirror the composition of a lot of natural landscape photography. There are also 6 vertical straight lines, which are created by pillars in the store, contrasting with the heavy horizontal elements.

Shape – shape is not the main focus of this photograph. Although arguably each individual piece of merchandise is a rectangular shape, I personally feel like Gursky was trying to make a statement by photographing the mass assemblage of the products, rather than trying to capture individual shapes of the packages.

Pattern – there is a strong sense of pattern created by the multiple rows of merchandise. Although items in stock differ, from the large scale perspective, they create a series of horizontal rows that is appealing and intriguing.

Texture – there is some sense of texture that is created through the different packages of items on each of the shelves. The illusion or appeal to the audience’s sense of texture could further expand on the theme of sensory overload due in current consumer culture.

Tone – The tone of the whole photograph reflects normal, everyday lighting (however, it might be a little brighter than usual just for artistic effect). There is not much shade in the photo, as everything is illuminated brightly and artificially.

Focus – The whole photograph is in focus, Gursky was likely not using his camera’s focus to make any statements.

Works Cited