Brooklyn Bridge, Study 2, New York, New York, USA, 2006
The photographer I chose was Michael Kenna. His photographs are from the year 1973 to the present. He takes his photos in black and white. They are scenic photographs from all over the world. The photograph I chose was the fifth photo in his collection, “New York City, USA, 1976-2007” from the website http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery.php?id=14. In this photo, I like how the lights from the New York City Skyline reflect onto the Hudson River. It is a beautiful night scene of the New York City Skyline. By the lights still being on in the city, it shows that at night, the city is still active and bright. The mood of this photograph, because of the river’s slow flow, makes the photograph seem calm.
Michael Kenna’s use of line in this photograph is definitely seen. The Pier in Manhattan makes a straight line horizontally across the photo. The lighting coming from the city’s skyline reflects in the water making vertical lines in the Hudson River. The buildings make parallel lines besides each other. Also the Brooklyn Bridge makes a line vertically across the top of the photo. There are many shapes in this photo also. The buildings make different shapes, whether it is rectangle, square, or with a cone shaped top. The moon makes a circle and the glare from the moon gives it a star like shape. Also there are shapes on the buildings, which form windows. The bridge is also giving a long rectangular shape. The contrast of dark enhances the contrast of light in this photo. The dark brings out the brightness of the New York City’s Skyline. With the slow diagonal ripples through the water and the moon light hitting the water of the Hudson River, all these elements combined make the photo seem like it was a calm relaxing evening.
The water gets that smooth glassy look that you call a slow flow because the photographer used a long exposure. This is a great example of NOT using the rule of thirds. The bridge is placed right in the middle with its dark underside and then dark reflection dividing the image in two. And as you state it is the contrast of light and dark that gives this photo its drama.