Responding to the Artwok
Artist: Rodney Smith
Nationality:American Date of Photograph:1995 Top 3 Principles of Design:Rhythm;Emphasis;Unity Response: This photograph represents rhythm,emphasis, and unity. Rhythm is found in the peoples clothes. They are all repeating patterns. All the people in this picture are also emphasized since they are are thee center of the image and are darker compared to the background. Also, Smith creates a sense of unity in the photograph since all the people are in patterned dress clothes while holding an umbrella. Smith was born on December 24, 1947 in Long Island, NY and is still alive at the age of 67. He was a fashion and portrait photographer based in New York. He worked with 35mm film before switching to 180mm film. Smith mostly worked with black and white photographs until he began to experiment with colored ones in the early 2000s. Smith's style in his photographs can be attributed to his upbringing by his father, Stanford Smith. |
Artist: Louis Daguerre
Nationality: French Date of Photograph: 1838 Top 3 Principles of Design: Balance;Harmony;Proportion Response: This piece of photography represents balance since no element over powers another element. It is also a strong representation of Harmony because all the elements seem to belong together. Proportion is another principle of design that is emphasized in this photograph. Louis Daguerre is a French photographer who is known as one of the fathers of photography for his work on the daguerreotype process of photography. He was born in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France on November 18, 1787. He died on July 10, 1851 in Bry-sur-Marne, France. This photograph is the earliest known candid photograph. However it is not one of the first pictures taken. Daguerre exposed the film for 10 minutes so moving traffic isn't shown in the photograph, but a shoe polisher and his customer where captured in the photograph. Not only was Daguerre a photographer, but he was also an accomplished painter. |
Artist: Eadweard Muybridge
Nationality: British Date of Photograph: 1878 Top 3 Principles of Design: Movement;Repetition;Balance Response: One principle of design that is found in this photograph is movement. The horse seems to be moving, since in every picture the horse is in a different position. Repetition is another principle of design found in this photograph since in every frame, its the same subject, a horse being ridden by a jockey. Balance can also be found in this picture because the elements are all the same;therefore, one element isn't overpowering another one. Eadweard Muybridge is an important figure in photography because of his pioneering work in studies of motion. Muybridge was born on April 9, 1830 and died on May 8, 1904 at the age of 74. Muybridge had a colorful life, where his wife had an affair and Muybridge tacked down her lover and shot him. When he was put on trial, he never denied that he killed the man. After the incident he left for Guatemala for two years. When he returned to San Fransisco, he continued his work on capturing a horse running and proved that a horse's legs all leave the ground when they are running. |
Artist: Cartier Bresson
Nationality: French Date of Photograph: 1932 Top 3 Principles of Design: Movement; Emphasis; Harmony Response: In this photograph the three main principles of design are movement emphasis and harmony. The bicyclist is blurred, while the rest of the elements are focused in. This gives a sense of movement. Since the bicyclist is the only thing that is blurred, he is being emphasized. Also, given that in this scene every element seems like it belongs, since its normal for a person to bike through a neighborhood and the photograph is black and white, making no element overpower another one by its color. Cartier Bresson is considered to be a master of candid photograph. He is also one of the first people to use 35mm film. Bresson was born on August 22, 1908 in Chanteloup-en-Brie, France and died on August 3, 2004, Montjustin, France. Bresson was married twice during his lifetime. Bresson used to travel throughout the world to capture different cultures in his photography. |
Artist: Ansel Adams
Nationality: American Date of Photograph: 1937 Top 3 Principles of Design: Harmony;Unity;Variety Response: Adams work represents three different principles of designs: harmony, unity, and variety. Adams use of nature creates a sense of harmony. Especially with the still lake, since it reflects all the elements in the photograph. The trees and reflection also create unity because the reflection gives each element a pair and the trees are somewhat similar. Variety is another element found in this photograph because there are different elements in the picture. For example, there are trees, a mountain, a bridge, and a still lake; all of them drawing the attention of the viewer. Adams was alive from 1902-1984. During his life, he was an environmentalist. Which is the reason why most of his photographs where landscapes. Adams photographs can be found today on calendars and books, especially the pictures he took of Yosemite park. |
Artist: Richard Avedon
Nationality:American Date of Photograph:1955 Top 3 Principles of Design: Rhythm;Emphasis;Movement Response: In Avedon's photograph rhythm is a key principle of design. The elephant's dance conveys a sense of rhythm. Both of them are lifting up their right front foot and trunks. Also the ladies dance and elephant's dance creates movement in the photograph. The lady is emphasized because of the white dress she wears. The photograph being black and white is critical in emphasizing the lady, because white stands out more when surrounded by darker elements. The elephants dancing with the lady makes the photograph fun to look at. Plus, the ladies outfit makes the photograph seem a bit classy. Lastly the photograph is also depicted as exotic. Since there are elephants. |
Artist: Toni Frissell
Nationality:American Date of Photograph:1947 Top 3 Principles of Design: Emphasis;Movement;Proportions Response: Frissell's photograph is clearly emphasizing the woman under the water. She is the only element in the photograph that is white instead of black. The wrinkles in her dress also convey a sense of movement. As if she's swimming through the water. Also the wrinkles that can be hardly seen over the lady convey a sense of movement. The other element that can be found in this artwork is proportions. The rock, or landscape behind her allows the viewer to determine how big she is compared to the background. The lady in the photograph doesn't appear to be drowning, but instead floating. Her white dress and stance gives off a sense of tranquility and peace. This photograph is in black and white to hide the colors, allowing the lady in the white dress to be emphasized. |
Artist: Gary Winogrand
Nationality: American Date of Photograph: 1964 Top 3 Principles of Design: Movement;Emphasis;Proportions Response: Winohrand's photograph is centered around the principle of movement. The man doing a back flip gives an obvious feeling of movement. Also since the man seems to be the only element moving in the photograph, he is being emphasized. Furthermore, the tall buildings in the background gives the viewer a sense of the mans proportions. Also the bell-hops watching the man give s feel on how big the man actually is. This picture gives a felling of aw and wonder, raising questions. Where did the man flip from? What are they doing? Whats going to happen to him? This photograph is also entertaining to see and conveys a feeling of joy because the bell-hop is smiling in the background. Plus anyone watching someone do a back-flip can't but help themselves feel a bit overjoyed. |