Yousef - Kuwait: 2013

Monday, December 2, 2013

Assignment #5 Abstraction

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Photographic Research and Inquiry

(Baker, 2013)

     Most individuals are familiar with the class, black and white photograph of the group of male workers, sitting high above the New York City skyline on an extended metal girder, preparing themselves for a short lunch break before they return to work. Before a time where safety harnesses were provided, men risked their lives for extra pay and worked on the quickly growing buildings. However, this iconic photograph is not the only representation of men at work on such buildings. In the depicted photograph below, which not only lacks a name but the photographer remains unknown as well, it shows a lone worker, sitting on the very edge of the growing tower while the Chrysler building sits beyond in the distance.
     On first glance, a viewer undoubtedly feels their own nerves about the situation, as the man rests on his knee and allows his other leg to dangle free, over the side of the edge. The sheer height is demonstrated by the dwarfing of the Chrysler building in the background, with the Brooklyn Bridge further off in the distance and the rest of New York seemingly miles upon miles away. After inspecting the image for just a little longer, the viewer might then start to wonder how the photographer captured the image. The picture seems to extend out, beyond where the currently metal construction lays, as if to suggest the photographer is floating above air or found a way to capture the image before falling.
     Outside of the seemingly death defying balancing act of both the worker and the photographer, the contrast of the image starts to beckon. The construction worker, along with the metal frame on the left, are exposed properly, with a heavy level of contrast, especially when looking at the white (or at least light) gloves of the worker as he tightens bolts on the metal frame. A viewer can see his weather expression, as most likely he has performed the same task countless times over and the height no longer worries him. Construction workers often stayed away from other individuals while on the building, as not only did they fear becoming emotionally close to someone before they fell, but simply standing near someone would possess a physical risk at a loose steeping individual grabbing onto their hand, should they fall from their perch. Due to this, the individual most likely has been there for long enough to understand he is better off on his own (DailyMail, 2012).
     The background is heavily overexposed, with a good amount of the background-bleached white. Most likely this is from either an extremely sunny day, or the individual working found himself in shadow, although judging by the brightness of the metal around him, chances are the day simply was sunny. On another glance, perhaps the worker is squinting at his bolts while tightening the material together.
     The image speaks directly to me as very few of us actually look at these older skyscrapers and tall buildings and really think at what it took to originally build these constructions. Nowadays, with modern technology, doing so is far easier and safer (although there are still inherent dangers). Just seeing such a photograph is a reminder of what it truly took to produce such a long standing work of art.

Works Cited

Baker, Wayne. “Second Acts: Are we caught between past and present?” Read the Spirit: Our
Values.2013. Web. Retrieved November 11, 2013 from http://www.readthespirit.com/ourvalues/second-acts-are-we-caught-between-past-and-present/.

DailyMail. “Building the Bigt Apple: Historic images show construction of New York’s most famous
skyscrapers.” Daily Mail. December 4, 2012. Print.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Assignment #4

Speed Limit

Late!

Pool

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Critique of Abdullah's "Humans of UTSA" pictures

Abdullah’s photos are great overall, but the poses are all the same. All of his photos are from head to chest. Great use of light in general. The quotations in his captions are not used in the proper way.

Photo#1

Nice pose, a good exposure and blurriness of the background, gives a nice composition. I would critique the sleeves shadow on his face. A better shoot if it was taken in another place where it does not show any shadows on his face.

Photo#2

Pretty good picture, the frame is good and clear. The plants are very lightening up. The tree behind him makes rule of third composition. I like the colors and the exposure of this picture.

Photo#3

I like this photo closed frame photo. The shallow depth of field makes everything behind her blurry and brings her face very clear with a great pose and exposure. One thing to change might be the angle of shooting, I did not like her hair fade into the plants.

Photo#4

A great colors and exposure, the frame is kind of messy, but the pillar is balancing it. The blurriness of the plants and the building behind bring her face into focus. Her smile gives a beautiful and enjoyable image.

Photo#5

Good exposure, I like the light and the composition, but the thing that I did not like is the angle in taking this photo. He showed half of the guitar, where in my point of view, showing the whole guitar would give a great touch for the photo.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Assignment #3 Humans of UTSA

Melissa

“Is there anything going on currently in your life that you are excited about?”

“ Yes, I am excited about studying Architecture, this is my first year in college. I am also excited about living with my sister here in San Antonio.”

Dalia

“What is your greatest achievement?”

“ Well, I have been working and studying Criminal Justice at the same time, and finally this is my last semester. I would consider that as a great achievement for me.”