Gallery Review

All of the photos in Rectangular Squares utilize the idea of frames within frames. The images are all of different things, some subjects are people, others are objects or spaces. Some of the frames used within the images were windows, doors, screens, and light switches. There were a few images in particular that stood out to me:
Nandita Raman’s Untitled #7 which shows a glass screen and through the square openings, the people on the other side are clear but the rest of the image is unclear, and the other image was Alex Webb’s Ethiopia which shows a woman in a doorway, many fruits on a windowsill and a wall design that is made out of rectangles. The press release says that the “images conjure suggestion out of structure, semblance out of geometry… The square, itself an ancient symbol of stability…” and before reading this, I didn’t really understand the point of stressing the squares and rectangles but after reading, I see that the intention of the curator was to take images that used framing to show how squares and everyday life in certain places interact, showing their connection.
In Alex Webb’s photos, Ethiopia and Bombay, he uses direct light and the most important element is of course the use of the square/rectangular shape to create frames within the image. Another important element is color which vividly separates the people from the scenery. What you could take away from these photos emotionally is the idea that you get a little insight as to how others live and the fact that there are cultures worth exploring.

This exhibit contained mostly photos of landscapes in Western places like Yosemite National Park. The photos were in black and white and used contrasting light so the photos were still very striking and inviting. In the press release, it says that Adams once said “Sometimes I think I do get to places just when God is ready to have somebody click the shutter,” and I feel that after reading that, it makes a lot of sense as to why the subject matter of his photos are mostly things found in nature. It also says later in the press release that he was an environmentalist which makes sense and shows his connection to the nature in his photos. His intention with these images was to highlight the beauty of these areas. Without reading the press release, I would understand that he had a strong interest in environmental photography but I didn’t understand why until reading it.
The lighting is mostly direct – light areas are light and dark areas are very dark, making the contrast very high. An element that is really important is leading lines because they are what guide your eyes through the images. Being that this was my favorite exhibit of the day, I feel that the mood left an emotional impact, one of serenity as well as adventure. Serenity because he highlights these environments so beautifully and adventure because it looks like it would be a freeing experience to be standing where he stood whilst taking them.

The photos in Shore’s exhibit were a variety of landscapes and portraits of people and areas in Israel and Ukraine. There were many images of the sandy open spaces and houses in Israel and the people in Ukraine and the way they lived. After reading the press release, you see that the reason for photographing in these two places was to show the daily life in Israel and showcase Holocaust survivors in the Ukraine but before reading the press release, I honestly didn’t even notice that the photos weren’t all taken in the same place.
The light used in most of these is direct sunlight and some of the most important elements were angles. In photos like the image with the tiny car, the high angle adds to the feeling that the car is so little and in the ones with people, you feel that you’re on their same level. After understanding the reasoning behind these photos, you can have a better sense of how to respond emotionally to the Holocaust survivors as well as catch a glimpse of the everyday life in Israel.