DeCordova Photo Series
Larry Fink Analysis
Technical Aspects of Photograph
Describe the lighting in the photo: Where is the light coming from, and how does it fall on the subject of the photo?
Lower right hand corner
Contrast – Does the photo have both highlights (white whites) and shadows (black blacks)?
Yes, the contrast is very stark
Exposure- Is the photo over or under-exposed? (too dark or light)
Underexposed
Is the photograph in focus?
Yes- large depth of field
Has the photographer employed the shutter speed or depth of field to create special effects in the photo? Describe.
Normal shutter speed/large depth of field
Composition
What camera angle was used? (point of view)
Slightly above the woman, looking down
Is the photograph (symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial) balanced?
Asymmetrical
Does this photo meet the guidelines of the Rule of Thirds?
Yes because the sizing is in ascending order to the right
Is there a clear focal point or center of interest? (no distracting backgrounds, the subject of the photo is evident)
The focal point is the woman’s pose and expression
Is the photograph horizontal or vertical? Is it effective in this direction, or would it be better the opposite way?
Square
Has the photographer visually framed the photo or created a sense of depth with foreground, middleground and background?
Framed through vignette and the couch and tv leading to the woman
Describe any pattern, texture, repetition, positive or negative space.
There’s a pattern of dress and pose extended from the painting using the subject
Is the photograph composed to effectively lead your eye through the work? (Are there any leading lines in the piece?) Map the movement of the photograph.
The ascending size of the women and the couch, angle of the painting’s frame, and the t.v all directing towards her leads your eye through the photo.
Artistic Qualities/Meaning
Describe the subject of the photo: what is happening in the image? or, what story does the image tell?
The subject is a woman wearing bleak, grey clothing slouched against the wall with a dissociated look on her face. This tells a narrative of depression and clashes with the expectation of womanhood and femininity to be constantly positive and cheery.
What mood or impact does this photograph have?
A mood of vacancy and numbness
What do you think Larry Fink is conveying in the photo? Or, what statement is he making through the photograph?
He’s driving the viewer to feel empathetic towards her
Describe the lighting in the photo: Where is the light coming from, and how does it fall on the subject of the photo?
Lower right hand corner
Contrast – Does the photo have both highlights (white whites) and shadows (black blacks)?
Yes, the contrast is very stark
Exposure- Is the photo over or under-exposed? (too dark or light)
Underexposed
Is the photograph in focus?
Yes- large depth of field
Has the photographer employed the shutter speed or depth of field to create special effects in the photo? Describe.
Normal shutter speed/large depth of field
Composition
What camera angle was used? (point of view)
Slightly above the woman, looking down
Is the photograph (symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial) balanced?
Asymmetrical
Does this photo meet the guidelines of the Rule of Thirds?
Yes because the sizing is in ascending order to the right
Is there a clear focal point or center of interest? (no distracting backgrounds, the subject of the photo is evident)
The focal point is the woman’s pose and expression
Is the photograph horizontal or vertical? Is it effective in this direction, or would it be better the opposite way?
Square
Has the photographer visually framed the photo or created a sense of depth with foreground, middleground and background?
Framed through vignette and the couch and tv leading to the woman
Describe any pattern, texture, repetition, positive or negative space.
There’s a pattern of dress and pose extended from the painting using the subject
Is the photograph composed to effectively lead your eye through the work? (Are there any leading lines in the piece?) Map the movement of the photograph.
The ascending size of the women and the couch, angle of the painting’s frame, and the t.v all directing towards her leads your eye through the photo.
Artistic Qualities/Meaning
Describe the subject of the photo: what is happening in the image? or, what story does the image tell?
The subject is a woman wearing bleak, grey clothing slouched against the wall with a dissociated look on her face. This tells a narrative of depression and clashes with the expectation of womanhood and femininity to be constantly positive and cheery.
What mood or impact does this photograph have?
A mood of vacancy and numbness
What do you think Larry Fink is conveying in the photo? Or, what statement is he making through the photograph?
He’s driving the viewer to feel empathetic towards her