Period 5 -- Practice Critical Analysis

8/24/2017

Each week, we 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, time posted, and word count. The 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.

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

Jessica Mims

8/25/2017 08:22:52 pm

This monochromatic image is of an elderly couple, they appear to be tourists at Mount Rushmore. We can see the memorial through the reflection of the window that is behind the two people. They are looking at Mount Rushmore while the photographer is looking at them. There are also many other people in this area, and we can see them in the window reflection. There seems to be some type of visitor center or museum behind the people being photographed.
This photo is taken from the photographer's point of view. There are several window panes in the photo and they do a good job of framing the two tourists, which are the focal point. The subject of the photo only takes up a small part of the entire image. There is a lot of extra space in the photo. The frame crops off trees and some other tourists in the background, but none of the things being cropped out are very important to the image.
I believe that this image has a theme of American tourism. It is at a famous National Memorial, and the subject of the photo is two stereotypical tourists. This image reminds me of the school trip that we took to Washington, D.C.. We probably looked very similar to these people, because we were traveling in an obviously large tourist group. We walked around with lots of cameras and phones out while we stopped to take pictures of the monuments and memorials, just like the tourists in the picture.
I like this picture, I think it is very interesting. Every time I look at it, I am able to find new details that I did not notice before. I think this is a successful photo. It has good lighting and a strong focus on the subject. The photo able to tell a story to each person that views it.

Jessica Mims

8/26/2017 01:23:04 pm

This is supposed to be 4 paragraphs, but its hard to see the separation between the third and fourth paragraphs. The fourth paragraph starts with "I like this picture, I think it is very interesting".

Ryan Kyle

8/26/2017 07:44:36 am

This image is of two elderly people, most likely a couple who are looking at and taking pictures of Mount Rushmore, which you can see behind them in the reflection of the window.
The image is taken in black and white possibly to represent the time period which is around the 1980s to make the image look slightly older. The lighting in this photo (although it is hard to tell because of the color scheme) is like a well lit afternoon because you can see the light shining on the two people. The two people look like tourists because the woman is using binoculars and the man is taking pictures with a camera.
    The composition of the image is nice and very pleasing to look at because there are many things to see both hidden and in plain sight. For example, some people might not see mount Rushmore if they do not look hard enough, and that’s the fun part of this image, finding new things every time you look at it. I think that the image is taken in a third person point of view because it is taken of the two people and they are the main focal point of this image. The lines on the window panes in this image direct your attention to the different sections and what each section contains within it. The image is asymmetrical because the couple in the picture is on the left side of the image, and there are different things on each side of the picture to look at. The subject, being the elderly couple, does not fill the frame but instead leaves room for more things like Mount Rushmore and the people inside of the building that the couple is in front of.
    I think that one of the themes or ideas in this image is completing bucket lists. The elderly couple could have wanted to see Mount Rushmore for a long time and are just now getting around to it. Another theme for this image could be the government looking down on the people of America because, quite literally, the presidents are looking down from above. The artist’s intention in making this image could have just been to take an aesthetically pleasing photo, or it could have been to make you want to look for other things in the image other than just the main focal point. I would say that the image is definitely interesting because it makes you use your imagination in order to come up with a story that the image tells since it doesn’t really give you a clear or defined story already.
    I like this image mostly because of the theme that the photographer chose to set up for this picture. I also like it because it gets you to use your brain to think about the image and what story it is trying to tell. I also like the color scheme and how it represents the time period that the photo was taken in. I think that overall the image is successful although it’s not entirely clear why it was taken or what story there is to the image. It is successful because it uses color and lines in a way that it can direct your eyes to a different part of the image without having to do too much searching.

Ryan Kyle

8/26/2017 07:46:12 am

I don't know why but it automatically cut off the first sentence from the second one.

Marissa Elizondo

8/26/2017 01:56:17 pm

In this image you can see many things. You can see the two elderly people looking and taking pictures of Mount Rushmore. You can also see flections of people and trees in the background. This picture is a monochromatic picture. I looks like this picture was taken during the day, but it is kind of hard to tell since the picture is in black and white. You can tell that this picture is from around the 70s because of the clothes the people are wearing and because of the cameras they are using.
The composition of the picture is very pleasing to look at, since there are so many different details in the picture other than just the two subjects of the image (the two elderly people). The two elderly people are the focal point since they are the easiest to see at first. There are windows and the frames do a good job of directing your eyes to the subject of the picture. The subject however does not fill up the frame and there is a lot of extra space for other features in the picture. This picture was taken by the photographer’s point of view.
I feel that this picture really captures tourism. This picture reminds me of the time when I went to Washington on a field trip. We all had our cameras and phones out taking pictures of the monuments and museums, and enjoying their views like the tourist are doing in the picture. I also think another potential theme for this image could be the government being higher up with more power than the people down below, because in the picture the presidents are literally looking down at the tourists. I think this picture is interesting because it forces you to think about all the different themes the photographer could be trying to show through this image.
I genuinely really like this picture. I like how even though there is a focal point in the image, there is still so many details in the background and in the reflections of the windows. This picture is also very clear which I like. This is a very successful picture in my opinion. I feel like the photographer is trying to show how there is so much more to a picture than just the subject, and if it wasn’t for all the different features and details the picture wouldn’t be the same.

Maria Tirado

8/26/2017 02:06:25 pm

This image is of two elderly tourists observing and taking pictures of Mount Rushmore. They appear to be a couple, and we are able to see the reflection of an American Landmark in the background. This picture is being displayed in black and white and it adds a more sophisticated outlook. I believe this was taken during the day, even though it’s a little hard to tell because of its color. You can see the light hitting the two main objects,or people in this photograph, the statue in the background as a reflection, and the other tourists.
I think the composition of this image is very pleasing to look at and it is very well organized. You have different elements and different things going on in one single pictures. The rule of thirds is being applied to this picture, since the lines in this picture (the windows) line up very well. This photo is being taken in the photographer’s point of view and he captured an asymmetrical photo. This picture also has a lot of extra space, which is good in this case, because it makes this picture interesting to look at.
Everything comes together in this image, because it follows the theme of American tourism. It consists of tourists visiting an American city sight. I think the artist took this picture to capture the essence of observing mankind’s beautiful creations. Mount Rushmore is plainly breathtaking and I think the author is trying to tell us to take time to observe and learn new things. This image is very interesting and some people would even say it has its own kind of beauty.
I personally really like this image. I love to travel and see new things and I think this image captures those vibes but during the 1980’s. This photograph is very successful in my opinion. You can never get tired of looking at it, because you can interpret it in so many different ways. The artist did a very good job in developing this photograph.

Zach Burgos

8/26/2017 10:37:51 pm

1. The image consists of an elderly couple looking into Mt. Rushmore behind the photographer. We can see what the couple is looking at because of the reflection from the windows of a building. In the other side, we can see a mix of people in the reflection and in the building. The photo is black and white to make it feel like this is an ordinary moment in life. The lighting is bright sunlight. The objects included in this image are people, a building, windows, and a mountain/ Mt. Rushmore. The elderly couple are holding a camera and a binocular, the building in the background is a museum or a gift shop, the windows reflect the mountain, the mountain has Mt. rushmore on it.
2. The Rule of Thirds is being used, a frame of the windows surround Mt. Rushmore and other parts of the background. The point of view is the 2nd point of view and the photographer took the picture from a little bit to the side of the elderly couple. The focal point is the elderly couple, and the couple is somewhat framed by the window frames. The subject does not fill the picture and there is a lot of space. The edge of the image is the rest of the building and it is cut off because of the frame.
3. I think that the theme of the image is that people don’t “take in the view” at special places. The story being told in this image is that an elderly couple went to visit and see Mt. Rushmore. The image reminds me of the 40s/50s black and white movies. I find this image interesting because i can’t really figure out the motives of the photo. This image is also Noteworthy because sometimes images don’t need a reason to be taken.
4. I like this photo because it reminds me that life isn’t always colorful and it can be ordinary. I like that the photo has all kinds of hidden details in the background. I also like that the windows frame the photo to show some of the focus points. The color of the photo makes it kind of ordinary in a way. I think that the photo was successful because there are many ways to interpret this photo and that there are so many details.

Mikaela Mumme

8/27/2017 01:34:36 pm

Digital Art
Analysis 1___
By Mikaela Mumme
In this image you see the two people, immediately I assume to be husband and wife. They also appear as tourist maybe retired because of their elderly age. You can see other people inside, by their clothing you can tell it’s not a recent picture it might have been taken in the late 1980’s or early 90’s. In the photo you can also see the reflection in the windows of Mount Rushmore, which tells you they are in Vermont. The image is in black and white giving it a not as happy feel. The lighting is good and there’s no shadows it is a very clear picture.
I think when I look at this picture I don’t know what to look at. My eyes are drawn everywhere and the window panes break up your view into sections. From the angle this is photographed it looks like the photographer took the image flat footed. I feel this image has two focal points the people and Mount Rushmore. The edge of the image is cropped off right at the end of the window panes. The photo uses the space space well and there is no wasted space.
To me I see this photo making a political statement. That statement shows through with Mount rushmore but more importantly it is where Mount Rushmore is in the image. Mount Rushmore is placed above everything and high up and the people are below looking up to Mount Rushmore. I feel that the people represent the people and citizens of America, while Mount Rushmore represents the government and something above the average person. This image is interesting and really makes you think by drawing your ideas in a million different directions.
I like the image but it’s not something I would hang in my room. Although I do like it the picture doesn’t send off a happy feeling. The image is successful, and is of good quality. I think it is taken from a great angle. To me a good piece of art tells a story and makes you feel something. This image did a good job at doing so and is successful in my mind and also fulfill requirements to being successful in a world of art.

Larissa Esparza

8/27/2017 04:35:32 pm

In this image there is an infinite amount of things anyone can see. For example someone can see the subject of the picture,the two elderly people or someone else's eye may be directed to mount rushmore or the people in the background. When I see the image I instantly am focused on the elderly couple. The elderly couple is one of the many subjects in the image. There are trees, people, windows,window panes and mount rushmore. This image is monochromatic which I think gives it a different meaning,it give the image a different character.
I think this image is pleasing to look at.I actually think it's rather soothing to look at because of the monochromatic filter. Having the black and white filter on the image does not allow any bright colors to pop which I think makes the picture more soothing to look at. The lines are the window panes. The window panes direct my eyes in the blocks, you go from window to window to see what’s in the block.The elderly women is perfectly positioned to where she is framed by the window pane. The subject does not fill the frame there is extra space for trees,mount rushmore and other people in the background.
In my perspective the story being told behind the image is how the government is always looking down on us or watching us,because of how mount rushmore is positioned higher than the people. Another way that I view the image is that the government is on another level of class as in wealth, again because it is positioned higher than the people and because the people are looking up to them. I think the image is interesting because of the story it tells and the meaning.
I like the image because it tells an interesting story to me.The image is pleasing to look at. The image may not be my favorite but I do not hate it. I think the image is successful because it tells a story, has lines and has a subject.

Troy Rollwitz

8/27/2017 08:41:10 pm

In this image we see an elderly couple looking up with binoculars at Mount Rushmore. Behind them are glass window panes, and you can see the people standing on the other side of them, and the reflection of people standing behind the photographer. It was taken in black and white which gives it a darker mood. The elderly couple are well lit and there are no shadows on them.
I do not think this image is pleasing to look at. All of the reflections from the glass and how that mixes with the people standing behind the glass seems to make it confusing to my eyes. I do like how the frames on the window divide it into sections. That makes it a little easier to look at. Your eyes are immediately directed towards the elderly couple because of the lighting, they and more white while the background is dark.
The message I got from this picture is that when you do great things, you will be recognized and remembered for that. I wasn’t able to relate to the image, or see a story in it. I saw a message, that if you work hard you could be the one on those statues, and people will remember you. I don’t think this image challenges any beliefs.
I appreciate this image, but I don’t like it. When I looked at it I was confused with all the reflections and only focused in the old couple, which to me was a little boring. Sometimes when I look at a picture I can get a story from it, but with this I just saw what was on the outside of this. I think it is unsuccessful because it is hard to find any deeper meaning in it.

Kate Madison

8/28/2017 10:54:41 am

This image is a picture of a man and a woman gazing at Mt. Rushmore. The picture is taken in black white, monochrome, maybe for an old-looking effect. The lighting has dark shadows but also light greyish that could be the blue sky reflecting. The faces in this image look like an older couple and in the image altogether there is mostly older people. In the image a old couple is looking at Mt. Rushmore, there are people inside reading informational slides about the attraction or the presidents forever carved in the mountain.

This image is very pleasing to look at because the colors are not too bright but they also don’t make you squint to see details within it. This photograph was taken in the third point of view and it seem to be slightly angled, but not very, away from the couple. This picture is framed by the square or rectangle boxes holding the windows in place. This image has lots of extra space around the couple to give a better understanding about what they’re looking at and where they might be. The edge of this image is around some window frames so it cuts off some trees and the rest of the building.

Some ideas for this photograph might be showing that older people are more interested in history than those who are younger because if you look closely you can see a lot of these tourists are older people. The story you might get from this image is that a couple went on a trip to see Mt. Rushmore and take pictures, but there could be more to it like they could be visiting their children and wanted to stop there on the way. The reason this artist could’ve created this image was maybe to show how history is important and still affects us no matter how far in the future you may be. This reminds me of old black and white movies, before they had color, because the clothing and camera seem older than newer models. It may have some beliefs that those presidents were the best.

I really like this photo because, for me, a lot of photographs in black and white
are more pleasing to the eye because they normally don’t strain them. This photograph may also remind people of their grandparents or of places they’ve been. People who see this photograph might look at it in awe because they live in a poor community and might not ever get to see this in person. I think this photograph could make people think and ponder about the world and its history compared to today. In my opinion this photograph is amazing and is aesthetically pleasing to me.

Josh Salehi

9/11/2017 11:36:30 am

This picture taken by Lee Friedlander shows a picture of an old couple looking at Mt.rushmore. You can tell that the couple aren't your average locals but that there tourists.they have binoculars in there hands because they probably want to look at the extra details on the monument.

The pictures looks like it has been taken during the day and you can see that the sky is kind of cloudy by the reflection in the window. i would say that this photo graph is taken somewhere between the time periods of 1950 - 1980.

Behind the couple you can see that there is a man staring at the them staring at mount rushmore and it is pretty interesting in my opinion.you can also see that the people are wearing an older style of clothing.

In my opinion i think this picture could be a hint of older people stopping to look at there surroundings more and our generation the kids don't really look at the views and would probably rather look on there phones and not appreciate like the old couple are doing.

Pato Wray link

9/11/2017 11:44:10 am

This photo is of two people, a man and a woman, who are taking a picture of the all-famous Mount Rushmore. The colors in the photo were dark and a little bit of light. It is a gloomy day but still a good day t take pictures of the Mountain. There is a crowd of people also there to take pictures because it is very famous.

The photo isn't the most pleasing that I ave seen but it is still a great photo. You can also see that the reflection tell a story because without the reflection, you couldn't tell what they were taking a picture of. The photo is in deep depth of field because you aren't usually looking at the people taking the photo, you are looking at Mount Rushmore. This photo is infect symmetrical because it looks like someone actually took the photo. I think it has a neutral space because it is positive and negative. The color makes it negative while the picture itself it positive.

The theme for me in this photo is history and how interesting the photo really is. The photo doesn't really look like something I remember but I think it would be cool to go and see Mount Rushmore in person. The picture is pretty good and I think the person who made this is a genius.

I do like the photo but I think on a different day where everything isn't super gloomy would be cool. The picture was successful in my opinion.

Marynez Cantu Cardenas

9/11/2017 05:48:58 pm

Marynez Cantu Cardenas (P.5)

Digital Art

This photograph taken by Lee Friedlander has many things going on in just this picture. In this photograph there is an elderly couple touristing around Mount Rushmore, I could tell that they were at this place because from the point of view of this photographer you can see a window and that window reflects the four presidents of the United States.
I believe that the Lee Friedlander took the picture from this perspective because he wanted people to know the location of where the picture was taken place. Another major thing that I think that this photographer wanted people to know was the tourist that are in this photograph. I think that the photographer wanted people to get the idea that it was a national monument and seeing tourist in the picture told the viewers just that.
Another major thing that I noticed about this photograph was the date in which this picture was taken and there are many things that give this away. A major thing that I noticed about the time of this picture was what the people pictured in this are wearing. People are wearing very old fashioned clothing which give the idea that this photograph was taken in the 1930’s.
Another major factor that I think that contributed to this picture was the lighting in which this picture was. The lighting is very suttle but at the same time you can perfectly see the people in this photograph. In conclusion there are many thing that contribute to making this picture what this picture is but, this is definitely one of my favorite pictures because there is more to it than what you really think.

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