Period 3 -- Practice Critical Analysis

8/31/2018

Each week in class, you will write a critical analysis on a work of photographic art. An image will be published weekly on our class blog. Spend time studying the image and then write a detailed analysis of the photograph. Publish your analysis as a comment to the blog post; this comment should show the student’s name and time posted. your analysis must be posted to the original blog post in order to be graded.

All analyses must be 4 paragraphs minimum, 5 sentences minimum per paragraph unless otherwise noted.

Students will write eleven critical analyses per semester, and the lowest grade per semester will be dropped.

On the class blog, if you look to the right you will see the word Analyze. There is a link to a handout you may download or print called your "How to See" handout. This will help you learn to write about art. Refer to your "How to See" handout for analyzing a photograph--

Describe specifics.
Describe form.
Describe the content.
Evaluate the image

Your analyses will be graded on:

meeting minimum length requirements
depth of organization
evaluation of the content
grammar/punctuation

Hasan Ehsan link

9/1/2018 09:51:10 am

This image depicts a firefighter picking out a pumpkin while, ironically, there’s a house on fire in the background. The environment is used vastly in this image, with pictures of pumpkins and trees, along with the natural sunlight. It helps make the photo more realistic. There’s also some fence posts, a lawn chair, and a table holding some pumpkins, which helps add to the realism of this moment in life. The picture seems to be in a rural setting, and these objects help make that association. The colors are brighter, like the orange pumpkins, which helps complement the natural sunlight.

This image is pleasing to look at, mainly because it’s intriguing. It leads to a lot of questions and assumptions on the part of the beholder. The fence lines and trees also help establish a perspective so we can see that the market is in the front and the house is in the back. The straight lines of the market and the trees add a geometric sense to this picture, and the frame makes sure that almost nothing is cut out of the picture. This allows the image to try to tell a complete story without any holes. It also comes from the point of view of the photographer, which helps the reader relate to what he’s seeing.

One theme in the image is the seasonal setting of fall. There’s pumpkins to signify Halloween, as well as a mix of grown and barren trees to signify the end of summer and beginning of winter. The author’s intent in this picture is to be humorous through irony, given that a firefighter is looking at pumpkins while there’s a raging fire in the back. Now that I know the fire was a contained one, this image did challenge my assumption that the firefighter wasn’t doing his job. This picture is indeed beautiful because there’s a mix of vibrant and neutral colors that create a very quaint atmosphere.

I like this picture because everything in the picture is there for a reason. This image also creates a whole narrative based on one moment in time. The fences and geometric lines help give perspective, which add a sense of realism. Personally, I prefer realistic images over abstract images because they are much more relatable. I find this image successful because it fulfills the author’s intent: to trick his audience and humor them through the use of irony. I appreciate all the different feelings this picture incited within me before and after I learned the context of the situation.

mariah podwika

9/1/2018 12:22:19 pm

There’s a house burning in the background and a firefighter is buying a pumpkin from the farmers market in the foreground. The primary color of orange is used throughout the picture. There are pumpkins, a fire truck, a fire, a lawn chair, a cinder block. There is a cloudy natural lighting because the photographer is outside. What’s happening is there is a controlled fire that they are training firefighters to put out and the guy in the front of the image is just taking a break.

The picture is taken from the photographer's point of view. There are a lot of lines that draw your attention. There are strong fall vibes from the pumpkins and the orange of the fire. The photographer took the image from a straight, balanced, and horizontal place. There is some extra space to the left of the farm market and to the back-right of it.

There is a story being told because you don’t know the full story and that’s somewhat concerning. It’s very interesting. The image makes you question if the firefighter is doing his job and if you can trust them to put out fires when you need them to. The artist made this image to point out some irony in what was happening. If we didn’t know that it was a practice fire we would be more concerned and the irony is that it is a controlled fire that doesn’t really call for any alarm.

I like it a lot. The way that the natural clouds make the colors look gives me a vintage and worn out feel to the picture. The image was very successful in portraying what the artist wanted it to, and that was the irony of the fire in the back and the firefighter picking out a pumpkin in the front. I also really like the photograph because of the way that the colors and the natural lighting work together to give it a really worn and aged. I also liked the picture because the irony of it all gives me a good laugh.

clara blume

9/1/2018 12:26:43 pm

In this picture, there are a few things happening. In the foreground, there is a firefighter shopping at the McLean Farm Market. In the background, there is a house on fire with a firetruck seemingly trying to put out the fire. The smoke from the fire is mostly in the middle of the picture. The smoke goes off to the left, which means the wind is blowing in that direction. The colors are kind of muted colors, which makes the orange of the fire and the pumpkins pop. It is natural lighting because the picture is taken outside.
I do not think this picture is pleasing to look at because it has a lot of stuff that doesn’t really fit the mood of the picture. There are cinder blocks, a fence, and dead trees that I think are totally unnecessary to the picture. There are also some cinder blocks and extra stuff to the left of the market that could have been cut out. The focal point is the market as well as the fire. They are framed by trees and pumpkins. The subject of the picture does not fill the frame. There is extra space in the foreground. I feel like the extra space that is sort of filled with pumpkins, both whole and smashed or decaying. The frame also crops off the fire truck on the right.
I think the theme has to do with the contradiction of the appearance of an emergency in the background, the smashed pumpkins in the foreground, and the totally peaceful firefighter in the middle. It challenges the assumption of an emergency. It kind of reminds me of the calm in the eye of the storm. I think the purpose of this image is to show that things aren’t always what they appear.
I do not like this photo. I don’t like how the colors are all muted with the exception of the bright orange of the fire and the pumpkins. I also don’t like how cloudy it is, and while I know that’s not something the photographer can control, but I think I would be more interested in the photo if it was a clear day, or, instead of it being only cloudy, it were raining as well. I think that would get the point across even more.

Eden Vogelsang

9/2/2018 08:27:42 am

In the background there happens to be a house burning. Also the fireman is at the farmers market and not tending to the fire. The main color that the picture is using is a warm orange. I feel like he uses those colors because it goes with the fall look and tone of the picture. There are some dark shadows with the smoke and the trees I feel.

It me it is pleasing to look at because the tones and the natural light it is just nice to look at. It is in the point of view of the person taking the picture. When i look at this picture i go straight to the tree line, then i look at the fence line. Since there is quite a bit going on there is no empty space. While looking at this picture he did a good job of not cropping anything out, everything just happens to be in the middle.

This image reminds me of fall/winter at my ranch because it has that natural light tone and it's just really beautiful. I think that this picture is really beautiful i really don't know why i think so, the colors in this are amazing. It does have a story, it happens to be a controlled fire. This image does make you assume that the fireman is just letting the house burn, but since it is a controlled fire its okay but if i didn't know that i would have questioned it.

I do really like this image. I'm really pleased of how it looks, the colors and how he used natural light that there's no filter. I think this photo is successful because it is very different, very original. Another reason is maybe people think of fall when they look at it like i do and they just really like it because of that.

Matthew Sutherland

9/3/2018 01:30:25 pm

In this picture, there is a house on fire with firemen trying to put it out in the background. In the foreground, a fireman is shopping for pumpkins at a farm market while the fire burns. There are many smashed pumpkins around the farm market. There are tables and a chair to the left of the market. The farm market has a sign that says Sweet Cider. There is a tree line in between the market and the house on fire. There’s a fence line on the right side of the picture. The picture is using a lot of orange and tan. The lighting of the picture has shadows. In the image, it looks like a fireman is buying pumpkins while a house burns in the background.
The image is pleasing to look at. The point of view is from the photographer. The lines are the tree line and the fence line. The lines direct your eye to the farm market. The image is asymmetrical because the sides of the picture don’t reflect each other.
The image looks like a fireman is buying pumpkins while a house burns down, but the real story of the picture is that firemen are practicing putting out a controlled fire on the house while another fireman buys pumpkins. The artist’s intention is to show irony. This photo doesn’t remind me of anything or challenge beliefs. The image is interesting. The image is a little weird because it looks like the fireman isn’t doing his job.
I do like the photo. I like it because it’s interesting to look at. Also the image is kind of unsettling because the fireman is buying pumpkins while the house burns, even though it’s a controlled fire for practice. I think the photo is successful. I think this because the photo shows irony and I like the photo.

Xinyu Lei

9/3/2018 05:28:32 pm

The image is located on a barren ground where there is a farmer’s market. At the ⅔ of the ground, a line separates the picture clearly. In the portion above the ground, there is a building which is on fire. Below there is the withered grass. Pumpkins are broken, discarded, scattered in front of the farm market, where the orange, wholesome ones are lining in a queue in the farm market. A firefighter, in his withered coat, staring and picking the one he fancies, while the apricot fire is burning the cloud into ashes. It creates a weird sarcasm in the picture. It’s not a soothing sunny day. The light is greyish, and the atmosphere is very dry. It’s possible winter, cause under the natural light, only the pine trees appear to be in the color of dark green.

It’s a complex photo with a lot going on. The frame is full, different views and objects mash together. The focus is not obvious, and the picture is created at the ground level which makes color, instead of the angle, a decisive element that can emphasize the photo. The composition is not symmetrical, but a certain ratio, for example, the size of the farm market and the burning house, makes it looks like it is well balanced. The fences on the right gradually lead the sight to the farm market. The pumpkins, dried grass and the firefighters’ have the colors that synchronize together. However, the saturation of the photo is low and appear to be greyish.

The photo is taken by photographer Joel Sternfeld, who is famous for the sarcastic content and the story depicted by his photo. In this picture, the firefighter and the burning house intrigue curiosity and give a sense of absurdness. The first impression made me feel like it’s a critique of a social phenomenon in the society. The low saturation and the contrast between the scattered pumpkins and the perfect one also support the idea. However, after listening to the story behind the scene, it occurs to me that the photo might be the reflection of the author’s dark humor.

The photo does not appeal to me visually. The color does not stand out or catches my eyes, at the same time, The angle and focus are not unique. Though it’s somehow humorous, but it doesn’t strike me, or makes me feel surprised, joy, or fear when I dig deep into. The photo got some interesting perspective. It may be a successful photo for others but personally, I would not choose it as my favourite.

Henry Cool link

9/3/2018 07:37:52 pm

In this image there is a fireman at a Farmers Market looking at pumpkins, while a house is on fire in the background with a fire truck next to it. This scene is surrounded by some dead and alive trees which lets the viewer know it is probably Fall and in a secluded area. Even though the trees show that it is Fall this is also complimented by the colors of the image like orange, a dark green, brown, yellow, and the dim setting of the area. The colors also make it seem like there is a dark yet funny meaning to the picture because there is the house burning down in the dimness of Fall, but the irony of the fireman looking at the pumpkins lightens the mood with all of the brighter pumpkins and the nice looking pumpkin shack. The shading also contributes to the picture’s blend of colors while creating that scene of late fall as it moves to winter, and this makes the picture a bit more realistic.
The composition of this picture really does work together in trying to please the viewer. It has nice dark oranges and greens which complements the dim setting letting the viewers eyes concentrate and be pleased without any strain. Plus it has a nice looking house with a makeshift shack which compliment each other making the composition much nicer. Next the point of view of the photo is from the photographer, and the angle the photo is just in between the two buildings where the edges line up, this lets the viewer to see a little bit of everything in the middle. The focal point of the picture is the pumpkin stand because it is the first thing that pops out, the center of attention, and then expands outwards into the background where the burning house awaits the viewer making it a little more serious. Then there are the lines of the picture that include the metal poles at the front of the picture which then leads, to the pumpkin stand, that continues on to the trees, taking the eyes of the viewer to the firetruck, and then leads the viewer to the final destination, the burning house.
I feel the picture portrays the story of a fireman, who was on the job, decided to take a brake and check out the pumpkins at the market because he felt that what he was doing was boring or not important. This creates an idea that some people are ignorant to important things around them and decide to stray on a different path. Also I feel the author made this to create a sense of irony in the viewer to make the photo more funny and have the viewer question it. This photo challenges my social beliefs because I feel some people would actually not care enough about other people, and just leave a fire because they feel like they are more important than someone's house. Next I believe this is an interesting photo because it is just kind of wacky and creates all different kind of emotions and questions in the viewers head.
All of the factors I just wrote show why I love the picture so much. It creates ideas and questions while giving the viewer something nice to look at with the different blends of colors. It also lets the viewer create their own story depending on who they are, for example someone could see it one way while their friend sees it in the totally opposite way because of their opposite personalities. Finally I believe the photographer did succeed in making this picture. I believe this because the author wanted me to question it and make assumptions while I enjoyed it, and maybe to create imagination in the viewer so they could go on and create art themselves.

Sam Meldner link

9/3/2018 09:55:58 pm

In this image, we see a scene that is very unusual. In the front of the image, we see what looks like a patch of pumpkins however, the pumpkins in front of what looks like a farmers market are dead. Shopping in the farmers market, when you look closely, there is a firefighter. Which isn't what we would expect since behind the fence line there is a house on fire. This leads us to the conclusion that the firefighter isn't doing his job.

This image, by Joel Sternfeld, is taken through the eyes of the photographer. We can see everything in the image that he wants us to see. It is taken using natural light and does not look like there is any added contrast or exposure. The way the picture was taken allows us to see everything that is happening in it and all of its important aspects are shown. The photographer paints an idea in our head using the imagery we see.

In this photograph, we tend to create a story in our head about what is going on in the imagery without really knowing the backstory. We see the firefighter stopping to shop for the perfect pumpkin at the farmers market while a fire is raging behind him. Or at least this is what the Sternfeld wants us to think. However, in reality, the fire is a controlled practice fire for training. No one is getting hurt and the firefighter is obviously not neglecting his job.

Overall, the image forces you to think outside the box about the situation. It makes you think of the creativity put in the work and is a good reference to look at for ideas. In my opinion, I love this image because the Joel Sternfeld takes a fireman everyday life and turns it into a piece of artwork that we can enjoy.

Troy Githinji

9/4/2018 06:30:51 am

In this picture, we see a burning house with firemen at the scene trying to extinguish it. In front of the burning house, we see a small farmer’s market with none other than a firefighter selecting a pumpkin to buy. Looking at the ground, we see many broken pumpkins inside a fence line and a cinder block in the distance. The colors being used are very earthy and cohesive. The overall Image reminds me of Autumn and the cloudy sky implies that it must have rained before this picture was taken.

To me, this image is quite pleasing, because the colors remind me of the fall season and the fire reminds me of a quiet hearth; full of warmth and peace. The fence line and pathway behind the farmer’s market help bring attention to the main focal points, the house and market. The trees that frame the picture seem to imply that the picture was taken in late autumn, before the first snow of winter falls. The sky also helps to solidify this theory, but is also quite an empty space, with large spaces enveloping the frame between the trees. The color of the sky seems to make the picture dreary and dull, with the fire the only sense of excitement in the picture.

The overall theme is quite evident in the coloration and cohesiveness of the picture. The barren trees are a sign that fall has already arrived and may be almost gone. But I also think there is a deeper, less obvious meaning hidden away in the image. When we first see the fireman taking what looks like a leisurely shopping trip to the farmers market nearby, we often make assumptions about the picture. Different emotions rise within us questioning why a fireman would leave a house to burn; endangering everything within it. But when we take the time to learn the story behind the picture, we often realize that our original assumptions were incorrect. Through this picture, we realize that appearances can be deceiving and that we should take the time to learn the story behind what we see before making a judgement.

Personally, I like this photo quite a lot, because of its irony, but also because of what is shows us through its thin layer of fireman funniness. It shows us not to judge from a first glance and to learn the reason behind everything we see. I think that the author is successful in his intent to trick the audience but then to have them realize their assumptions were wrong.

Claire Rollwitz link

9/4/2018 05:16:03 pm

The image I’m looking at takes place on a cloudy, fall day, where it seems as perhaps a firefighter neglects to help put out a fire on the house behind him. Casually, the firefighter shops at a farmers’ market while ignoring the burning house behind him. The color palette consists of fall colors with lots of oranges, browns, and dull greens. The natural lighting in the pictures helps to depict the cloudy day. Objects that stand out to me at first glance are the arrangement of pumpkins of the floor, cinder block and lined fence.

I think this image is pleasing to look at. It’s a photograph of an event that you won’t see on a day to day basis. This picture makes me think about fall because of all the orange colors and the scattered pumpkins on the ground. The point of view from which this photograph was taken was from that of the photographer. Lines that stand out in this photo are formed by the fence, ladder, and smoke.

The artist captured this image during a time when firefighters were in training and practicing putting out this controlled fire. Without this background, others might portray the image as a firefighter not doing his job and ignoring the flames behind him. At first, I was upset that the firefighter was not doing his job until I further realized how the picture was made. I think the image is interesting to look at because I have never seen anything like it. My eyes were drawn to the fire and all of the action in the picture.

I think the photographer was successful with this picture. I like it because it’s interesting to look at. I can also see the point of view where people might hate it because they don’t know the full story. I love how the photographer photographed an out of the ordinary situation. He inspired me to think outside of the box and get creative.

Farouk

9/13/2018 08:34:02 am

There is a blazing fire in the background the the house. The texture of the fire seems smooth. The orange hue of the fire seems similar to the pumpkins near the ‘Farm Market.’ The smoke at the end of the fire seems to blend in with the smoky grey branches of the trees and fits the atmosphere of the dark sky. There is a firefighter standing at the market while a fire is going on in the background. The green pine tree appears as black or dark green because of the dark sky, i would imagine the green in the letters of ‘Farm Market” to be the color of the tree on a sunny day. I like the shape and color of the apple on the right side of the farm market. The red seems faded dark just like all the other colors. The pumpkins on the ground are mostly smashed and the pumpkins left unharmed are in the crate neatly organized in front of the market. Some pumpkins are on the table on the left.
This photograph was taken from Sternfeld’s point of view The fence runs into the middle of the photograph and directs the eye to the center. The focal point seems to be the fire and the apple, plus they are both near the center of the photo. Its pleasing to look at it because the image is straight and balanced.
The image seems to be ironic and humorous since the firefighter is at the market while the house is being burned down. The image reminds me of autumn because of the trees, pumpkins, and apple cider, which are all things I love about autumn. The image is very interesting and seems beautiful and nostalgic.
I definitely do like the image, I just wish Sternfeld used a filter to make the colors look a little more sharp. The natural lighting makes the colors look boring in a sense. Overall it’s very creative and it's something I would hang in my house because of the warmth of memories it brings and how humorous it is.

Sofia Galindo

9/13/2018 08:35:03 am

The first thing seen in this image is a little farmers market that sells pumpkins and other things like oranges. There are many smashed or rotten pumpkins on the ground and some cinder blocks laying around. There is a fireman shopping for pumpkins there and just browsing the market. In the background, there is an old looking house that is on fire with a firetruck next to it. The color that pops in this image is the orange in the pumpkins, oranges, and the fire. The natural lighting used in this photo is very gloomy and dull because the sky seems to be very cloudy with barely any sunlight peeking through. What’s confusing about this photo is, at first, one would think that the fireman browsing the market didn’t care about the burning house behind him, but what’s really happening is the fire going on is just a practice fire for training purposes. He is on a break, which is why he decided to check out the market and buy some pumpkins.
This photo is pleasing to look at because there is a lot to think about when you first look at it, like “what’s going on?” and “how come he’s not doing his job?” The colors also are very pleasing to look at because of the bright orange that is consistent throughout the photo, then everything else looks dark and gloomy, which really sets the mood of the image. The first thing you see in the photo is the market, then the fence next to the market lead your eyes to the line of trees that are seperating the market from the burning house. Once you look past the trees, you see the house. The photo is not symmetrical because there are many more trees on the left side than the right and it’s a little chaotic looking. On the left side of the picture, mostly just trees and some table or stands from the market are cropped out of the picture. On the right side, the rest of the fire truck is cropped out. The photo is taken from the photographer’s view to let the viewer be able to see everything that is happening at the same time.
The photographer’s purpose for capturing this picture was to show that not everything is what it seems and that there is a story behind every picture. A house is burning in the background and we see a firefighter not caring and just buying some pumpkins. However, it’s nothing like what seems to be happening, which is what the photographer wanted. He wants the viewer to dig deeper and understand/figure out what’s really going on, not only what meets the eye. The image is quite interesting to look at because of the way everything is set up and all the chaos that is going on with the fire, the market, and the firefighter.
I really liked this photo because it made me think and question what was really going on. The irony in this photo also made me laugh, which I think photos should include more of. The layout of the whole photo and how the fence next to the market directs the eye to the burning house is very well done, which makes this photo very successful in my opinion.

Henry Cool link

9/22/2018 06:05:03 pm

The image exhibits a women on a buoy in a pink dress looking down at the water out in the ocean during the day. The buoy is red and marked with the number three with a light on top which shows the women is in some sort of channel( a channel buoy is used to mark mid-channels, fairways, and offshore approach points). The picture uses a lot of blues with a little white, and then a red buoy to draw the attention of the viewer to the women who wears pink. The lighting looks as if it is afternoon or morning creating a lighter scene, and is contrasted with the shadows of the ocean. She is also gripping the buoy tightly as she stares deep down into the ocean tilting the buoy as if she were looking for something.

Next the composition of the image is very pleasing to look at because it makes use of light colors making the picture easy and calming to look at. The point of view seems to be the photographer's point of view probably on a boat from a side angle of the women instead of straight on. Also the picture uses a deep depth of field allowing the viewer to see the vast ocean showing she is in the middle of nowhere. Plus there is a large amount of extra space which allows the viewer to also see the loneliness. The lines in the picture are the horizon, the buoy, and the women’s legs and arms which all lead to her looking down, or the sky.

I feel the idea of this image is to show loneliness or curiosity because first of all she is very lonely, and second of all she seems very curious as she looks into the dark blue ripples of the water like something caught her eye. The story of the image could be she got stranded after falling out of a boat and she is looking for something valuable, or some sort of dream the photographer had/ delusion that the photographer had. I also believe the author made this to make the viewer think and question why she would be in such a peculiar place causing the viewer to open up their imagination. This image also reminds me of stories that have told of sailors hallucinating or seeing ghosts at sea because it seems like it would be such a weird place to see something like this. The image is both interesting and beautiful because it really makes you think and is composed very well.

I really like this picture because it awakes my imagination and makes me really think. Also it is very beautiful and pleasing to look at. The photographer is successful because it is such a simple picture that has so many things to say. Plus it is put together really well with a bunch of different elements, but does not use much. Finally I believe this was an all around put together picture that has all the elements a picture should have and challenges the beliefs of the viewer.

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