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Blog Post 5: Analysis of a Photograph

February 5, 2025 / Wontaek / 0 Comments

This photograph is called “Pepper No.30”. The photo was taken by Edward Weston in 1930.

I. List of things that the author was interested in capturing

One thing that Edward Weston might have been interested in is trying to explore the boundaries of photography. By changing the lighting and carefully altering the angles of the photo, the photo looks almost like a painting. In this photo, I think the author might have wanted to explore the difference between a photograph and a real painting trying to make the photo as abstract and like a painting as possible.
The second thing that I believe that the author might have been interested in is the idea of symmetry and shape. In the photo, we can see that Weston applied one of the formal elements of photography: shape by making the subject of the photo clearly identifiable by contrasting it with the background of the photo. We can also see that the author applied the element of symmetry by making the left and right side of the photograph or the pepper similar, but with some notable differences in the shapes and grooves of each side.
The third thing that I believe that the author might have been interested is the use of tone and lighting in the photo. In this photo, we can clearly see that he altered the tone of the image by adding dark shades into the photograph conveying a sense of mystery, allowing the audience to look at this “Pepper” in many different ways.

II. What I would name the photograph

1. I think that I would name the photograph “Mystery”. I think that Edward Weston took the photo to convey a sense of mystery in all aspects of the photo. The author conveys a sense of mystery by confusing the viewer whether if it is a photo or a painting. As mentioned before, he alters the angles and tone in the photo to make it look like a painting, and many viewers get confused whether it is a photograph or a painting. We are also unable to figure out whether the photo is a pepper or not. Although the photo is clearly identifiable, the change in color and tone makes it hard for the viewer to determine what the photo actually is. A pepper is usually yellow red or green, but without the color it makes it harder for the viewer to identify what the subject really is. Finally, the dark tone of the photograph conveys a feeling of sadness and mystery.

III. Formal Elements of Photography

Lines-The taker of the photo uses curved lines to create a sort of rhythm in the photo.
Shape-The main subject in the photo is a Pepper, and the shape of the pepper is curved and it is an organic shape.
Repetition-The lines and curves in the photo curve, and they creates a rhythm in the photo. Although the rhythm in the photo is not exactly a stable rhythm of shapes, the shape of the pepper creates a pattern.
Texture-The texture of the photograph seems to be smooth and soft. The lighting and the way that the painting is structured appears to make the subject of the photograph seem smooth and soft.
Value/Tone-The photo displays a range of tones from dark to light. The photo seems to be darkest on the outer parts of the photograph and lightest where the subject in the middle is present.
Sharpness-In the photo, the places where the photo is most defined is at the middle, where the subject is. The photo is least defined and sharp in the other parts of the photo.

I think that the photo is meant to focus on the subject and emphasize it as much as possible.

“Formal Elements of Photography”

January 22, 2025 / Wontaek / 0 Comments

The formal elements are “parts that are used to make a photograph” (The Formal Elements). The six formal elements of photography include: Line, shape, pattern, texture, tone and focus. Lines in photography are used to guide the viewer of the photograph around the image, and is one of the most important elements in photography.

Without lines, there are no shapes, without lines there is no form. Lines can also be used to alter the feel of the image itself. Curvy lines often contain a funny and less serious feeling to the photo, while straight lines convey a serious and straight feeling to the photo. We can see an example of that in the “Onion Halved” by Edward Weston made in 1930. The lines are curvy, and the lines convey a fun, creative feel for the image, allowing the viewer to interpret the photo in different ways. For example, when I first looked at the photo, I thought that this was a photo of a cell structure because of the curved lines.

Shapes are important in photography because it is the principal element of identification. One thing to remember is that the shape in the image is best defined when the subject is either front lit or back lit. For a certain shape in a photograph to be identifiable, it must be in strong contrast with the background or any other elements in the photo. In this photo, principal element in the photo is clearly identified. It is a toilet, and we can see that the toilet has strong contrast with the background and other elements in the photo.

Texture is the visual depiction of variations of the color, shape and depth of an object’s surface (Masterclass). Textures can affect the emotion the viewer has when looking at the photo. Texture is mainly based on light, and light can play a big part in accentuating the texture in the photograph.

Tone to put in simple terms consists of shadings from white-to-gray-to-black, or it may consist of darks against lights with little or no grays. The use of dark areas against light areas is a common method of adding the feeling of a third dimension to a two-dimensional black-and-white picture. The interaction of light against dark shades in varying degrees helps to set the mood of a composition. An effective use of tone often conveys a sense of mystery, or sadness. A photograph with a light tone might portray light, joy, or happiness. The piece of artwork shown above is called Pepper No.30 by Edward Weston. We can clearly see that he altered the tone of the image by adding dark shades into the photograph conveying a sense of mystery, allowing the audience to look at this “Pepper” in many different ways.

Different shapes and patterns may be aesthetically pleasing and draw attention to a photograph. (The Formal Elements) There are mainly two important aspects of patterns. One is rhythm, and the other is symmetry. Rhythm when a certain shape is repeated in the photograph, creating sort of a rhythm, a flow by using the same shape multiple times. Symmetry can be used in a way so the two objects are similar but not quite alike, which can be used to highlight difference between the two objects. In this photo taken by Edward Weston in 1931, the cabbage leaf is using symmetry to draw attention to the viewer. The left and right sides of the photo look similar, but not quite, the left and right sides of the cabbage having different patterns and groves in them.

Focus is the sharpest area of the image. It is used to highlight a person, object, just anything that might be a subject in the photo. In the image the toilet (author and date mentioned above), is clearly focused, and is clearly highlighted, and just by looking, a viewer can know that the toilet is the clear subject in the photo.

I think that one photo can show two or more elements at the same time. Take the toilet for example, it had both elements of shape and focus. I think in a way all elements are somewhat related to one another, and with the right technique and approach, I believe that an artist can take a photo containing multiple elements.

WORK CITED

“The Formal Elements.” Luca Nembhard, lucanembhardphotos.weebly.com/the-formal-elements.html. Accessed 20 January 2025.

“5 Ways to Capture Texture in Photography – 2024 – MasterClass.” MasterClass, 2020, www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-capture-texture-in-photography. Accessed 20 January 2025.

Weston, Edward . Onion Halved, 1930, www.artic.edu/artworks/120845/onion-halved. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Weston, Edward. Shell, 1927, dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/648613/sections/lesson/344121/page/344128. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Weston, Edward. Pepper No. 30, 1930, dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/648613/sections/lesson/344121/page/344128. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Weston, Edward. Excusado (Toilet), dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/648613/sections/lesson/344121/page/344128. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

‌Weston, Edward . Cabbage Leaf, 1931, dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/648613/sections/lesson/344121/page/344128. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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Blog Post 3-Researching the Starting Point

January 17, 2025 / Wontaek / 0 Comments

The Pictorialism Movement in photography is “an approach to photography that emphasizes the beauty of subject matter, rather than the documentation of reality.” (Britannica). To put it in simple words, it is when the photographer interferes with the photo-taking process. It’s almost like photographers were painting a picture rather than just pressing a button. As time went on, photographs began to look more like paintings. Photographers started to view photographs as a “dream world” with no rules or limits, leaving them free to express their thoughts and ideas through photography. It brought back the old tradition of handmade art.

The straight photography movement began with a man named Stan realizing that the camera could capture different shapes and forms “simply, directly, and in sharp.” (DX Video). The modernist movement that Stan established was a movement called “straight photography.” This movement became the aesthetic of the 1920s. In straight photography, the pictures and settings in the camera looked like how you would look at the world. People were supposed to “face reality, not muck around with it.” (DX Video). It focused on the selection and framing of the photo.

Edward Eston and Aaron Siskind were influenced by the realism of the straight photography movement. The camera opened their eyes in a new way. He altered the angles and colors of the photos to make abstract photography. In his photos, the photos are for us to interpret and offer a sense of mystery to the viewer.

I believe that Andreas Gurksy is considered a straight photographer. This is because he does not interfere with the photo’s focus, or appearance. He focuses on selection and alters the angles of the photo to create a sense of mystery. Uta Barth on the other hand, alters the focus and other elements of the photo to express his ideas, so I would consider that he is a pictorialist.

Work Cited

“The Rise of Modern Photography.” YouTube, uploaded by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 27 Oct. 2010, [insert YouTube URL here].

“Pictorialism | History, Techniques & Examples.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/technology/Pictorialism. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Aaron Siskind. “Pleasure and Terrors of Domestic Comfort” Photograph.Whitney Museum of American Art. https://whitney.org/collection/works/20014, Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Andreas Gursky. “New Year’s Day Swimmers.” Moma, https://www.moma.org/collection/works/49981, Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Definition

January 17, 2025 / Wontaek / 0 Comments

To me, an abstract photograph represents futurism by creating an illusional and subconscious world of reality, attempting to hallucinate the audience by taking photos that aren’t typically seen in our daily lives. I was able to get a lot of insight from the video on the DX page, and I want to give a simple explanation of abstract photography along with the definition. When you are drawing or painting, the world is your canvas and you are able to make and draw what you want and distort reality. However, when you are taking a photo, you are taking a picture of the world, and you cannot bend reality in a way to convey your message. Its like just pressing a button. So as time went on, different artists started manipulating the angles and the lens of the camera to distort the photo, and express their thoughts and emotions through abstract photography.

Starting Point

January 15, 2025 / Wontaek / 0 Comments

Abstract photography can be defined as capturing images in which the subject isn’t the most interesting element. Albert Renger-Patzsch 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.

As for my initial thoughts about the unit, I believe that this lesson is going to be a great and fun lesson. This is because I have never had a lesson or a class related to abstract art before. I think that this lesson could open my eyes and help me view art even though it might be “wrong”, in a new way. As for my thoughts on the first sentence of the starting point, I think it means using different elements other than the subject to make the artwork come to life. The definition of abstract art is an art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead uses shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect. Examples of an abstract pieces of art can be found in the paintings of Picasso. One of his most famous paintings: Guernica, painted in 1937, “shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This work has gained a monumental status, becoming a perpetual reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace.” (Guernica, 1937 by Pablo Picasso). As I observed the painting, I recognized that the painting rather than using a clear and interesting subject to convey a message, uses many different elements such as people and animals of diverse shapes and sizes all around the painting to make a statement. To conclude, I think that the sentence: “Abstract photography can be defined as capturing images in which the subject isn’t the most interesting element” means this. Abstract photography rather than making the subject interesting, uses other elements around the photograph to make the subject more interesting or inhance the quality of the overall photo.

Wrong! Contact Sheet

January 14, 2025 / Wontaek / 0 Comments

This photograph is considered wrong in two different ways. The first way is that the photo breaks the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds states that the subject of the photo should be in the left or right third of the picture in order for it to be a “good” photo. This photo breaks the rule of thirds because most of the subject is located on the center of the picture. You could say that the subject is “misplaced”. The picture is almost blurry, limiting the viewer from seeing the subject clearly. The message that I wanted to convey in this photo is that while many people have an image of peace inside their heads, the idea of peace is blurry, and often not reinforced throughout the world. I feel like the recent events in this world such as the Russian Ukrainian war and the war between Israel and Palestine left people unable to truly see or experience peace. I wanted to express that idea in the photo.

This photo is again wrong in two different ways. The subject is overexposed. The photo has too much “glow”, or light streaming into the background. And again the subject is obscured, (I searched it up. Obscured means dark, dim, or indistinct, but I’m not sure if this is correct usage) limiting us from seeing the subject: The plants clearly. The plants in this photo symbolizes nature, and the sustainability of our ecosystem. The glow, or the overflow of light implies a sense of hope that people have that the environment, the condition of the earth will get better, and I believe that this is ironic. Global temperatures have been increasing in recent years and the world doesn’t seem to be making much progress. The little progress that we are making is expressed in the photo by the obscurity of the subject: the plant, as I explained before symbolizes the nature and sustainability of our ecosystem in this photo.

This photo is wrong in two different ways. The first is that the photo has no clear subject. The second is that the photo is upside down giving the viewer a sense of disarray. In my personal experience, after squinting at the photo for a couple of seconds, I felt that the photo was just a blurry picture of. a normal hallway. I think the meaning of this photo is for the viewer to decide, since by intentionally breaking the rules of photography the photo causes visual disarray, and can be interpreted in many different meanings.

This is a picture of a hallway. The hallway is blurry and obscure. However, there is a glow or a light emitting from the background. The blurry background and the hallway symbolizes life, and in the perspective of the viewer, we are not able to see what is on the other side of the hallway due to the obscurity of the picture. In that sense, the obscurity of the photo symbolizes uncertainty of the future which many people, including I feel today. However, the overflow of light, or glow in the photo symbolizes the sense of hope and possibility. I took this picture to represent a symbol of hope even when times are tough.

This photo is comprised of many different paintings. The rule of photography that it breaks is related to the subject. One of the rules of photography is that the subject should stand out in the photo. This picture breaks the rule because all of the “subjects” or paintings are positioned in a way that makes none of them particulary stand out. The message that I wanted to convey in this photo is that all paintings no matter who creates the painting or takes the picture, everything is considered a work of art. Every picture/painting has its own unique message or a story to tell. In the photo, I wanted to make every single one of the photos stand out, but that seemed to be physically impossible. So, I had to break a few rules in photography in order to convey the message that I want.

This photo breaks the rule of symmetry in photography, but provides a unique point of view for the viewer. There are also a lot of creative colors involved in the picture (which is one of the rules of photography). However, there is no focus or clarity in the photo which could lead to some discomfort for the viewer. To be honest, I did not have certain intentions for taking this photo. However, me and my team believed that the photo was creative, and colorful, and believed that this could be considered one of the best “bad” shots in our list of photos.

This is another picture of different pieces of artwork on the wall. This picture was one of the more random ones that we took with no intention of breaking the rules, but there are a few. First the photo is not symmetric. There is one large circle shaped piece of artwork on the left side of the picture and a bunch of little pieces of artwork on the right side. This picture also in a way breaks the rule of thirds since a large part of the circle painting AKA the subject is in the center-third of the picture. Despite the different rules of photography being broken, the thought that this photo had nice visuals based on our subjective perspective and decided to add this picture on our list.

This photo is a picture of one of the ISB paintings in the school hallways. I do not if you can tell this from looking at the picture but, this photo was actually taken by shaking the camera. We were intentionally trying to create a bad photo, however it ended up being a really good photo instead. The photo is somewhat symmetric with creative colors, a unique point of view and so much more. Expecting a bad photo but getting a really good one was something that we were not expecting so we thought that it should at least be in one of our top 10 photos.

This is a photo of a Pokemon with different colors on this head and waist. The photo is obscured and dim not allowing the viewer to take a look at the subject clearly. The photo is also not symmetric since only one of the circular objects are located on the left side of the pokemon’s waist. Despite that it has good visual qualities, creative colors, and a unique point of view, so we thought that this one was one of our top 10 photos.

This is a photo of one of ISB temples. The photo is obscured not allowing us to take a look at the subject clearly. Another thing wrong with this photo is that the temple or the subject covers all thirds of the photo, breaking the rule of thirds. The photo however, is creative, contains unique colors while having symmetry to some degree. So our team thought that this could be one of our top 10 photos.

WRONG!

January 11, 2025 / Wontaek / 0 Comments

There are many rules of photography that set standards for what a good photo/artwork should look like. However, one can break any one of them to create a masterpiece. This picture (WRONG), “shows an image with poor composition juxtaposed by the text ‘wrong’ bellow the photograph” (DX). The word just a blatant judgement of the photograph ironically makes the image appealing, and is considered by many a work of art. In this artwork, Baldessari was trying to convey a message that we should not conform to conventional aspects of art or photograph, and that our work cannot be judged. The beauty in his artwork unlike the “Mona Lisa”, or “the first communion”, comes from the internal message and meaning rather than the photograph itself. I believe that a “bad” picture can be “great” if it intentionally breaks the rules of photography to convey a deeper message. Due to this, I think that the context of the painting is important when breaking the rules of photography. This is because when a viewer does not have any context of the picture/artwork, they might have trouble connecting the contents of the picture to the author’s message/intentions.

“Context – its about the title – Blog Post 1” ISB, https://dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/648607/sections/lesson/344114/page/344116. Accessed 11th January 2025

Baldessari, John “Wrong” Photograph. Dragon’s Exchange, ISB, 22nd August 2024. https://dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/648607/sections/lesson/344114/page/344116/edit, Accessed 11th January 2025.

8-2 Olivia, Aaron, Wontaek Sdg 4 promotion video Sdg 4

June 18, 2024 / Wontaek / 0 Comments

I Survived the French Revolution

This journal is about a man named Mark that survived the French Revolution. He had experienced many things during the revolution, however in the end, it all left him with nothing.

‘Terror will be the Order of the Day’ Robespierre’s motto

March 29, 2024 / Wontaek / 0 Comments

This picture depicts the guillotine: A ruthless monster, which during the Reign of Terror, struck fear in the minds of all

Source of the Image: https://www.historyhome.co.uk/c-eight/distress/1819.htm

Between 1787 and 1799 , a revolutionary movement shook France that caused massive changes in France in terms of economy, religion, and more. The Revolution’s purpose was to get rid of the feudal system, disband a kingdom and its monarchy, and establish civil laws and fairer representation of all peoples under governance. This WAS the purpose of the French Revolution, and the actions that the people of the revolution took certainly changed how France functioned as a country. However, like all other Revolutions, the French Revolution speaks out a clear message. In the end, the more things change, the more things stay the same. Our video tells the tale of a fallen monarchy, a new dictatorship, and countless souls lost. This is the French Revolution in Plain English.

"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious" - Albert Einstein