Landscape: Activity 2

Find two landscape photographs that question social values or act as a metaphor for personal issues that the photographer is trying to express. Discuss whether the communication is clear or ambiguous and how this communication is conveyed.

Landscape photography in general can be a very tricky thing to achieve. The following images may present troubling dilemmas for some people, while others it may not effect at all. 

Benoit Paille

In this image by Benoit Paille, you can see a young girl (and from my best guess to be) planting trees. She is surrounded by lush bushes and great branches around her, yet in the back ground is the harsh glow of the city lights; a rising problem in today's society. This pictures, as a whole, can reflect on two opposing sides. On one side, one may argue that trees and lush parks such as the one depicted in this photograph take up space that can be used for industrial buildings. On the other hand, one may argue that the rapidly enlarging cities provide problems and diminish the calamity of the wilderness; such things like forests and meadows and other things along those lines. 

Stain Klo

This image by Stain Klo could reflect the same issues as the one above. Here, instead of a beautiful wooded area backing a cityscape, you have a gorgeous mountain view that is obstructed by the harsh glow of florescent orange lights. In my own views, such places should remain undisturbed by the hands of man, only to be touched by those who will appreciate such a scenic place. From the views of another, they could argue that there are viable materials in the mountains that we could use to help further the human race.

Overall, I believe that the ideal image of a landscape is up to the audience to decide it's message. No one can say for certain what the artists truly meant to say with either photograph (for every picture tells a story). We can ponder and assume but there is no for sure. Therefore, it is up to the viewer to decide what the ultimate message is. Some may be extremely controversial such as the above photographs, or others may be more simple minded and not as off putting and mind rearing. A photograph is what the audience makes of it.

-C 

Landscape: Activity 1

View the image by Walker Evans on this page and describe what you can actually see (objective analysis) and what you think the image is about (subjective analysis). Discuss how effective Walker Evans has been in using a landscape image to communicate a point of view. Can this photograph be considered as Art? Give two reasons to support your answer. Make sure you include the image in your blog post with credit in the citation. When you analyze the photo, look for deeper meaning beyond the literal description of the Photo.

Walker Evans

In the image by Walker Evans; I am able to immediately see the cross that is presented in the front left of the picture. Though less obvious, I can also see the smaller more concealed crosses and grave markers that are in the near distance. From the overall size of the cross, I could assume one of two things. 

One; that the cross utilized as a marker to represent the number of people that have died, making it seem larger than it actually is, or two; that the overly large cross serves as a postmark for those who lay in the graves below.   

In my own opinion, this photograph can be described as art for the simple reason that it captures something that most people may not take the time to look at. It also carries a heavy hand of emotion, something that I believe every art piece must have. Most people choose to focus on the life in images; weather it be writing or drawing or photography or some other medium. This piece on the other hand, stands out because it is encircling death. 

Overall, I was very intrigued as by the nature of the image as well as hit by the weight of its concepts.