Category Archives: Homework

by | September 3, 2012 · 3:54 pm

Homework 1 – Jahshari Wilson

http://www.dawoudbey.net/

Dawoud Bey – Harlem Stories

1. What type of photograph is it?

Harlem Stories – is a series of black and white photographs showing the people and culture of Harlem, New York.

2. What can you tell (or guess) about the photographer’s intention?

I can tell that the photographer was aiming to depict the “story” of Harlem, in an old-fashioned type of way.

3. What emphasis has the photographer created and how has that been done?

Many of the photographs in this series are taken at eye level and low level with the subject. I believe that Dawoud Bey wanted to depict the theme of family in this series of photographs.

4. Do technical matters help or hinder the image?

Technical matters help the photographs in this series tremendously. The focus on most of these photographs are sharp overall, showing the subject and background items in great detail. The photographs are also full scale black and white, with some backlit and sidelit light and deep shadows.

5. Are graphic elements important?

Yes, graphic elements are important in these photographs, because the subjects in the photographs are implied and horizontal; the people in the photographs are the first thing you actually notice. They stand out. You meet them eye to eye because m0st of them are at eye level.

6. What else does the photograph reveal beside what is immediately evident?

Harlem, New York has always been an area of culture, diversity, people, and creativity. Dawoud Bey depicted this in his photographs. The variety of people – young, old, man, woman. All of African-American descent.

7. What emotional or physical impact does the photograph have?

The photographs are very meaningful. They give off a cool, serious, cultural vibe; depicting the many faces and people of Harlem.

8. How does this photograph relate to others in the same series by the same photographer?

Many of Dawoud Bey’s photograph series are also in black and white, shot at eye level, and have a variety of people as the main subject.

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by | September 2, 2012 · 10:57 am

HW1 – Melissa Ortiz-Vasquez

Manhattan Skyline (Study 1) by Michael Kenna

1. What type of photograph is it?
Manhattan Skyline is part of a series of black and white photographs depicting imagery of New York City.

2. What can you tell (or guess) about the photographer’s intention?
The goal of the photographer was most likely to capture an iconic, dramatic shot of the Manhattan skyline in a minimalistic way.

3. What emphasis has the photographer created and how has that been done?
The viewer’s eye is drawn to the subject (the buildings) but the details are hidden away so as to not mess with the visual hierarchy. The photograph may have been taken during sunset so the light of the sun would be directly behind the buildings, acting as a backlight in order to give the buildings that silhouetted appearance.

4. Do technical matters help or hinder the image?
What would normally be a very busy and detailed image is reduced to a simple photograph of a horizontal line of buildings with water below it and the sky above it. Small details are minimized to the point of near nonexistence, which really helps the subject stand out with its sharp edges.

5. Are graphic elements important?
Yes. Because the subject is a horizontal line that extends through the entire photograph, it really is the first thing anyone will see. The distant eye-level viewpoint balances out the photograph by having the buildings act as a dividing line between the water and the sky.

6. What else does the photograph reveal beside what is immediately evident?
NYC is synonymous with the glitzy and glamorous city life you see on TV. This photograph, by being a minimalistic depiction of the skyline, reveals a sort of peace and tranquility that residents may forget within the city limits.

7. What emotional or physical impact does the photograph have?
The photograph gives off a very peaceful vibe with its lack of detail and calm waters. It feels like it’s depicting the city while “asleep”.

8. How does this photograph relate to others in the same series by the same photographer?
Like the others in this series, this photograph depicts an iconic view of New York City in black and white, reduced to a simple snapshot. It’s almost as if the usual city clutter were purposely being scaled down for the sake of those who aren’t used to it.

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by | September 1, 2012 · 9:37 pm

Homework 1 – Kassandra Urena

Dawoud Bey – Harlem Stories

1. What type of photograph is it?
The photograph called “A Woman Waiting in the Doorway” is a portrait photo of a woman who is standing next to a doorway in Harlem.

2. What can you tell (or guess) about the photographer’s intention?
From what I can tell, Dawoud Bey is trying to capture the simplicity and expression of the woman.

3. What emphasis has the photographer created and how has that been done?
The photographer has used sidelit lighting, creating a dramatic effect to the photo. The lighting directly hits the subject, which makes her the main focal point of the photograph.

4. Do technical matters help or hinder the image?
The technical matters help the image. The sharp focus of the photo makes all of the elements in the picture work well together.

5. Are graphic elements important, such as tone, line, or perspective?
Graphic elements are important since they change the overall mood of the photo. The first element I noticed about the photograph was the side lighting, then I focused on the woman’s pose and expression.

6. What else does the photograph reveal beside what is immediately evident?
The photograph shows how different things were in Harlem in the 1970’s compared to now.

7. What emotional or physical impact does the photograph have?
This photo makes me wonder what the woman is thinking about while waiting in the doorway.

8. How does this photograph relate to others in the same series by the same photographer.
This photograph relates to the other photographs in the series because it shows simple yet highly expressive street photographs that describe how Harlem was during the 1970’s.

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by | · 6:40 pm

HW1-Safiyyah Abdullah

Eugene Richards-Stepping  Through the Ashes

  1. What type of photograph is it?

(Eugene Richards-Stepping Through the Ashes), this photograph shows Space and Perspective. The type of this photograph is Negative space or ground.

  1. What can you tell (or guess) about the photographer’s intention?

For what I can tell, the photographer’s intention was to surround the figure hence the two children below right hand side of the street. Also, the background shows loneliness and the smoke surrounding the area hence the kids with cloth over their mouths.

  1. What emphasis has the photographer created and how has that been done?

The light on this photograph is highly emphasized towards the two children. The light is basically hovering over them to show the emotion, purpose or reason of this photograph.

  1. Do technical matters h­elp or hinder the image?

Technical matters have helped this picture because I believe the purpose of the photograph is the two children and the photographer, Richards has caught them very clearly.

  1. Are graphic elements important, such as tone, line or perspective?

Yes, according to this photograph it is very important to have these graphic elements. For example, if there was no perspective, you won’t be able to understand the meaning of the photograph. Also, the tone of this photograph also gives it sense of the feelings the children may be going through.

  1. What else does the photograph reveal besides what is immediately evident?

The photograph reveals full scale affect which are black, white and gray. This photograph is diffused or revealing light which means almost no shadows.

  1. What emotional or physical impact does the photograph have?

According to this photograph, the photographer took this picture in Black and white which suggests grief and pain.   Also, the background shows loneliness and the children are no longer under parental supervision.

  1. How does this photograph relate to others in the same series by the same photographer?

The photograph I chose from Eugene Richards Gallery- Stepping through the Ashes, all the photographs are taken on September 11, 2001 when the terrorists attacked the Twin Towers. It also relates to all taken black and white and it also shows grief, pain and suffering.


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