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Online Journalism: Photo assigment

Online Journalism: Photo assigment

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/10/01/GA2008100101206.html

This photo, of protesters outside the New York Stock Exchange show the disappointment in both the people, and the shame in the workers of the stock exchange. The first thing people see are those with the masks, trying to make a point about what is going on in the economy, but this also shows the disappointment and shame and sadness in the workers, who see what is going on, and probably feel helpless at the moment. I like the face of the women in the front who looks so terrified about what is going on also. It's striking because the huge American flag in the background shows that all these people are going to be affected by this because everyone here lives in the United States.

Photo Critique

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Photo Critique

September 26, Day in Photos, Photo #5

This photo is extremely effective because it implements a variety of visual, photography techniques that allow for an engaging, interesting picture.

The first technique the photographer uses is the rule of thirds. There are three subjects that draw the viewer's eyes: the two men in black on the left, the man in the middle in white, and the man in black on the right. For whatever reason, it is more pleasing visually when a picture can be divided into definitive thirds, and this one can.

Another reason this photo is effective is because the photographer got close to his subjects. By not being timid and being near his subjects, the photographer was able to capture the emotions of joy on their faces.

It is also obvious that this photo captures a moment, and is not staged, as evidenced by the fact that none of the subjects are looking at the camera. They most likely do not even know they are being photographed. This "capturing the moment" is important for journalism photography because it tells a story through a scene, and allows the reader to see a slice of reality.

Another important characteristic in this photo is the parallelism and symmetry between the four men. The man in white has men in black on both sides of him. Also, the focus of the picture draws the reader because his white suit sticks out in the photo.

Last, this photograph is particularly effective because of the juxtaposition between the black and white clothing the four men are wearing. Black and white are commonly juxtaposed because they are polar opposites. In addition to the color of the four men's clothing, what they are actually wearing also creates juxtaposition. The men on the sides are in slacks and black sweaters. Yet, the man in the middle is in some kind of futuristic, astronautical space suit-looking uniform. This begs the viewer to ask why the man in the middle is dressed like this around people wearing normal clothes.

-Pete Wolfinger