Media Photography - #1

An Ottawa Workout

By Christine Sweeton

Guidelines of Composition Assignment.

My photo does or does not keep the following guidelines:
---Content that produces a strong or subliminal emotional response.
Yes – The viewer is able to relate to the exhausting and often frustrating act of shoveling snow yet at the same time appreciate the quiet beauty of snow on a quiet street. A peaceful response to the winter scene is desired though with some feelings of confliction.
---Uses the photo’s entire space effectively.
Yes – While the lower part of the photo could be considered dead space, the expanse of snow and already shoveled walkway is a much needed part of the story.
---Keeps the rule of thirds.
Yes – The figure and main point of interest is at the top-left intersection of the ‘grid.’
---Uses leading lines.
Yes – The telephone pole leads the eye down to the man’s elbow and the shovel’s handle brings the eye across the body of the figure. The shoveled sidewalk also leads the eye towards the main point of interest with the line created between the snow piles and smooth snow acting as a leading line.
---Uses one, two or more vanishing point perspective.
Yes – This photo demonstrates one-point perspective with the shoveled walkway. The sidewalk starts very wide at the bottom of the photo and gradually converges as it leads to the figure. The road at the top right of the image also uses one-point perspective as it leads to another single vanishing point.
---Uses larger-to-smaller perspective (Zero vanishing point).
Yes –The snow piles that start on the bottom right of the photo are an example of zero vanishing point as they would all be approximately the same size in reality but appear to be getting smaller towards and beyond the figure. The cars at the top right also use larger to smaller perspective.
---Features a prominent foreground object to exaggerate zero vanishing point perspective
Yes – While a weak example of this guideline, the large snow pile at the bottom right of the photo is the object in the foreground. Its large size and prominent shadow is meant to dwarf the figure emphasizing his challenging task.
---Uses an internal frame that completely or partially surrounds a point of interest.
Yes –The tree lined street covers the entire top of the image. The arching trees above the figure create a partial frame.
---Uses available light indoor or out.
Yes – Taken outside, in the morning with a bright clear sky. The photo also makes use of the light reflected by the white snow.
---Uses contrast and brightness effectively.
Yes – The figure’s hair, clothing, and shovel are dark, creating a contrast to the bright snow. The bright snow piles also cast long shadows giving depth and interest to the image. In comparison to the smooth. white snow, the trees at the top of the photo provide a contrast in both texture and brightness.
---Uses colour effectively to re-create a desired mood.
No – This is a black and white photograph and therefore does not use colour. This decision was made because of the unattractive brown tones present in the slightly dirty city snow and the fact the figure was wearing dull coloured clothing causing him to blend with the trees behind him. Black and white as a color choice makes the image more peaceful. The figure appears frozen in time, in a special and important moment.
---Uses black and white grey-scales and contrast effectively to re-create a desired mood.
Yes – The black and white image emphasizes the figures isolation. The grey scales created in the shadows add depth and texture to the shot while the bright snow looks clean and cold.