hw 1 composition

Paloma Alexandra Pryor

HW 1

Photography 1

https://www.thomasholton.com/work/thelamsofludlowstreet

Playing on the Roof by Thomas Holton

(The Lams of Ludlow Street )

This photograph by Thomas Holton is titled Playing on the Roof. Apart of the works collection titled The Lams Of Ludlow,. Taking place in the heart of new york’s chinatown, lower east side area, where there is a strong cultural and historical vibrancy. This photographer living in this neighborhood essentially made that the subject, where he writes how he felt like a “visitor” and wanted to learn more. By living and getting closer to the subject of his photography the author learned more not just about a family or a new culture but a lot about human connections. I think that the main purpose of exploration comes across in the photography and the intentions to show audiences that glimpse as if you’re a part of the family is also very strongly expressed in the photographs by Holton. There is a familiar and comforting mood to the imagery as well as a vulnearable and raw essence to them.

Three of formal elements utilized in this photograph are framing, figure ground, and leading lines. In this imagery we can see the door frame draws in the viewers focus and embellishes the overall composition by adding that geometric element as well as drawing attention. Similarly, the element of figure ground contrast is definitely used here. In the sense of the little girl being at one corner against that brighter color in contrast of the dark background surrounding the stairs and walls. Also with leading lines, the lines of the stairs are where the little girl is at the top, these lines of the stairs basically draw you to the image’s subject matter. Emphazising focus on the main person in the photograph and the overall composition, creating a visual for the viewer to pay attention to. I feel this image had a lot of the elements utilized by Holton in one.