Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
I know we have the photo critiquing thread but I thought it would be fun to attempt to deconstruct a few images from some of todays top working photographers/artists. I find these types of excercises a good way to learn and understand what makes a good image, and it may even help us to make better images ourselves.
I'll start with one of my favorite shots by Edward Burtynsky, a fellow Canadian and one of the finest photographers alive today. The reason I'm choosing this inconspicuous image is because it's subtle but complex without being flamboyant. I think if we seek to understand the finer nuances of image making we can better recognize and appreciate those images which favor our personal tastes.
Alright, where to start? First, there are some interesting dynamic contrasts between opposites going on. The contrast between the images surface and its depth is intriguing to me. On the surface the image has a very flat feel, but as I look further into it, I start to notice some interesting things. The top right third of the image contains a shadowed area which seemingly sinks back, and the road and slight shift in tone displayed in the lower third brings that part of the image forward giving the image depth. Placing the splash of colour, the rusty portion, dead center seems to anchor the image, holding in tension these opposites of flat surface and 3D depth.
Another interesting aspect of the image is its perfect proportions. The image is divided into perfect thirds, top to bottom, and I think it's this perfect balance which first gives it that flat surface feel.
One more contrast which I think is less important to it's visual, perhaps not, but is worth mentioning as an aside, is the contrast between the fluidity of line and the solid state of the material itself, the rock. The three tiered change in textures is also doing something but I'm still trying to figure out what it is and how they are working within the image. Anyone have thoughts on that???
Now it's someone elses turn to take a poke at this shot, or post up a new one to deconstruct. Let us see what we can learn together.
I'm tired of gear talk.
I'll start with one of my favorite shots by Edward Burtynsky, a fellow Canadian and one of the finest photographers alive today. The reason I'm choosing this inconspicuous image is because it's subtle but complex without being flamboyant. I think if we seek to understand the finer nuances of image making we can better recognize and appreciate those images which favor our personal tastes.
Carrara Marble Quarries # 31
Alright, where to start? First, there are some interesting dynamic contrasts between opposites going on. The contrast between the images surface and its depth is intriguing to me. On the surface the image has a very flat feel, but as I look further into it, I start to notice some interesting things. The top right third of the image contains a shadowed area which seemingly sinks back, and the road and slight shift in tone displayed in the lower third brings that part of the image forward giving the image depth. Placing the splash of colour, the rusty portion, dead center seems to anchor the image, holding in tension these opposites of flat surface and 3D depth.
Another interesting aspect of the image is its perfect proportions. The image is divided into perfect thirds, top to bottom, and I think it's this perfect balance which first gives it that flat surface feel.
One more contrast which I think is less important to it's visual, perhaps not, but is worth mentioning as an aside, is the contrast between the fluidity of line and the solid state of the material itself, the rock. The three tiered change in textures is also doing something but I'm still trying to figure out what it is and how they are working within the image. Anyone have thoughts on that???
Now it's someone elses turn to take a poke at this shot, or post up a new one to deconstruct. Let us see what we can learn together.
I'm tired of gear talk.
Last edited:
