This image is an off-center, black and white view of approximately two-thirds of a person’s face, from the upper lip line to just below the hairline at the top of the forehead. The subject in the image is oriented to the viewer’s left. The dark hair covering the temples, the eyebrows (at once finely in focus but soft-focused elsewhere), and most particularly, the eyes, stand in sharp contrast to the soft whites and greys of the skin tone. The latter suggests a very soft light from a number of directions, although perhaps most predominantly to the subject’s left. The cropping very effectively compels the viewer to look into the subject’s eyes, which are in sharp focus. By providing very few shadows on the face, the photographer has also led the viewer to look into the subject’s eyes.
One could have addressed this day’s challenge in one of at least three ways: light-hearted (i.e. cookies), serious and stating the obvious (i.e. water, light), or serious and revealing (Bible). This shot falls into the latter category, but is all the more effective by what it doesn’t reveal. The unanswered questions give more meaning and depth to the assignment. Obviously this is a person of import to the photographer, but why? An offspring? A relative’s offspring? The sincerity and lack of emotion in the face also compel the viewer to ask him/her self what is the subject thinking. (This lack of emotion also ensures that the viewer understands this subject falls into the serious/revealing category; for example, an laughing subject could have been interpreted to mean the photographer found laughter to be important). The cropping also brings into question the subject’s sex, adding further mystery to the shot. Very cool shot.
This image is an off-center, black and white view of approximately two-thirds of a person’s face, from the upper lip line to just below the hairline at the top of the forehead. The subject in the image is oriented to the viewer’s left. The dark hair covering the temples, the eyebrows (at once finely in focus but soft-focused elsewhere), and most particularly, the eyes, stand in sharp contrast to the soft whites and greys of the skin tone. The latter suggests a very soft light from a number of directions, although perhaps most predominantly to the subject’s left. The cropping very effectively compels the viewer to look into the subject’s eyes, which are in sharp focus. By providing very few shadows on the face, the photographer has also led the viewer to look into the subject’s eyes.
ReplyDeleteOne could have addressed this day’s challenge in one of at least three ways: light-hearted (i.e. cookies), serious and stating the obvious (i.e. water, light), or serious and revealing (Bible). This shot falls into the latter category, but is all the more effective by what it doesn’t reveal. The unanswered questions give more meaning and depth to the assignment. Obviously this is a person of import to the photographer, but why? An offspring? A relative’s offspring? The sincerity and lack of emotion in the face also compel the viewer to ask him/her self what is the subject thinking. (This lack of emotion also ensures that the viewer understands this subject falls into the serious/revealing category; for example, an laughing subject could have been interpreted to mean the photographer found laughter to be important). The cropping also brings into question the subject’s sex, adding further mystery to the shot. Very cool shot.