Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Henry Cartier Critique


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I picked this image because of the complete disregard of symmetry and perfect alignment. The dark squares in the white caught my attention. The much darker bottom made up of kids made the white only stand out catching my eye even more making me choose this photo. Not to mention that both photos I chose including one reminds me much of my childhood as far as kids being within the crowd of grown up in a place where we probably shouldn't be. 

As far as the image goes there is a lot going on in the image that can be extracted if paying attention to every inch. For beginners, the exposed sky on the top left gives it a more at the moment feel that I love. I like this very much because it makes the photo more real and gives it less of a "staged" feel regardless if Henry is known for his street photography. The space used is very well used as what is in the frame feels like it was intentionally put there. The squares make our eyes bounce off of one another eventually using the man in the hat to lead us in what I believe is our main subject line or main story within the frame. The kid in the left shows a face of excitement as the kid in the right shows more of a sad look almost as if he was going to cry. Whatever they are partaking is obviously more important as they don't follow the other kids in looking at the camera. 

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Like I mentioned in the first photo, I chose this image also as it reminded me of a lot of my childhood. Having fun with what was available in the places that were available. As cheesy as it may sound it really catches your eyes when looking at dozen of photos of a man famous for countless mesmerizing shots. The separation of the subject and camera also led me to choose this. As well, the complete use of an effective foreground and background led to a more visually complex image making it stand out from the rest of the Henry catalog. 

Henry is taking full advantage of the foreground and background here with the wall left around the hole creating a clear portal to the rest of the image. This includes the background as well. The kids while grouped leave a space big enough in the middle to lead the girl with the bucket to the kid with the crutches. Now as far as the mood, it seems like a very uplifting mood with smiles on everyone except for the kid being held back by the white-clothed kid. I imagine they took his crutches away and the other kid is holding him back while the one with the crutches teases him. Or the kid with the crutches did something and the white-clothed kid is stopping any revenge. Apart from that the kid on the right looking at the camera starts the focus line leading our eye from right to top to bottom left. With the holes and the kids, I suspect my initial reason I chose the photo. Having fun with what you have wherever you have it. 

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