Savior

This photograph was made by Robin Schwartz.  I love the fact that you can see the sun shining down through the canopy of the trees and that it hits the small waterfall and the little girl's face.  Schwartz was able to capture the girl's emotion through her facial expression as well as the dog's somehow--they both look scared yet relieved.  The photo tells a story to me that the girl may have saved the dog from the water.  The colors in this photo are beautiful and the detail of the ripple in the water enhances its beauty.

Rain

Gild Louise Aloisi made this photograph.  I love how you can seen that it is absolutely pouring outside and the fact that the woman in the photo is enjoying it.  To me the photo shows how a busy lifestyle goes on when in the pouring rain, but the woman was able to take a moment to stop and enjoy the beauty of the rain.  The contrast in this photo definitely enhances the story.

Wave

Corey Arnold made this terrifying photograph.  It is unbelievable that this event occurred and the two people on the boat seem slightly un-phased by it.  The colors in the photo are very bright and rich, making me feel like I am on the boat with those two people--and I don't like it!

Chillin'

This photograph was made by Craig Mammano.  The subject of the photograph appears to be off the beaten path enjoying what appears to be a beautiful day in nature. He is in the shade created by the large tree, which I think is the more important focus of the photograph.  Although the photograph was taken from a distance, much detail can still be seen in the tree from its leaves to the bark.  The feeling of isolation and the fact that the person is just a small part of the photograph is what I like best.

Skin

Yusuf Sevincli made this photograph and titled it "Skin."  I love the graininess of the photograph as well as the fact that he managed to still capture so much detail of the girl's skin.  I think it is really cool how you can see a tan line from the girl's bra strap or bathing suit because of the heavy contrast Sevincli was able to achieve.  I can also feel the action of the subject either putting on or taking off her bra.

This photograph was made by Alan Macintyre.  I was first drawn to it because I think it resembles a pile of bodies; however, it is just sand.  The coloring of the picture makes it seem morbid and still makes the viewer second-guess what they are actually seeing. It is unclear whether or not the photographer created this shape or if this has occurred naturally. Either way, this photograph provides quite the visual experience.

River Rocks

This picture can be sort of confusing at first.  I like how it is divided by a horizontal line starting in the top left corner and going to the bottom right.  I think it's neat how the light side on the left makes it look like a mirror almnost, or ice and it isnt see through.  Yet the right side is darker and you can see the rocks under the water.  I like how the wet rocks are visibly darker and how all of the rocks have a slight outline from the ripples.  I like how you can see the texture on the rocks at the bottom under the water and how the gray scale goes from bright white to dark black. 

Serenity

This picture is the definition of serenity.  I love the color and how the edges go from black to gray to white.  I like the white horse and how the top of its main is black; it adds nice contrast.  I like how it has the black eye against the white of the horse.  The picture is just visibly pleasing because of the angle in which the horse is standing and the picture was taken. 

Little Girl

I think this picture is gorgeous.  For some reason it reminds me of something in a magazine or a book cover.  I love the way the photographer set this picture up.  The way the girl is looking out the door you can't see her body which gives the picture a mysterious sense.  I love how her blonde hair contrasts the black where her body would be.  I like the chipped paint on the door, it gives it a rustic feel.  I like how, by using the lighting, the photographer captured the lightness in the girls eye; it's such a small detail but it makes a huge impact on the picture.  I also like her smooth skin next to the rough door.  It sometimes can be hardto get a child to stop smiling when you take their picture and her expression is perfect for the composition of the picture.  I like how it can raise a lot of questions.

Panta rei

My Milan is the name of the album this photo is taken from. Luca Napoli took this photograph called Panta rei, which means: cannot stop two times the same movement. This photograph is perfect in capturing Szarkowski's element of time. She says this is two shots overlapped, unsure of how she did this though. The man is ghost-like, transparent in both moments. The balance in this picture is also very good, although the man occupies only the left side. The beams, rails, and hallway are even, and frame the man very nicely, even if he is not centered. The sky and the mans white shirt contrast the dark of his jacket, glass, and the hallway. The photograph elicits melancholy emotion for me, through the man's solitude.

Under The Bridge

This photograph was taken Van Shnooken Raggen and is called "Under The Bridge." I love the contrast of the light coming in through the beams against the black of the beams. In addition, I really like the balance of the beams, it is really perfect and makes the picture seem very even. I feel as if I am looking into a kaleidoscope. I envy the photographer's skill in development of the photo, but also in taking the photo. This must have been a really hard shot to take.

Alms II

"Alms II" taken by Jonathan Luckhurst documents people worshiping in India. I really love this picture, although it is pretty difficult to see and not clear at all. It gives the photo a kind of hazy and dream-like or surreal feel, which is appropriate for the act that they are engaging in. The picture is blurry which seems symbolic of no one standing out under God, and everyone being the same. The photo also elicits curiosity in the viewer, by raising many questions. From the title, we know they are worshiping, but we do not know who they are, what they are worshiping, and where they are, without a description. The photographer does a good job of leaving questions unanswered by not revealing everything. 

Boobies

This photograph is called "Boobies." Laura Epstein-Norris took it and included it in an album entitled "Summertime." I was wondering who these girls were, and what relation they have to the photographer, if any. I am guessing they are close to her because of their comfort in their actions. Although the girls are holding their breasts, the picture is not raunchy, but more playful. In fact, my eye focuses at first not on their outrageous gestures, but on the middle girl's facial expression. Her stare is piercing, but she seems happy, something hard to accomplish. The photograph definitely elicits thoughts of carelessness, freedom, and summer.

Loyal friend

I am really drawn to the eyes of the dog.  They are wide open and he appears to be starring at someone he cares about because it looks like he has a sad look.  Id like to think that maybe his owner is leaving the home and he was told to stay here.  He isnt happy about it but he will do what he is told.  I like how the middle of the image from the top of the head to the upper back is light verses the darker parts of the body.  This is a cool lighting technique. 

Summer Fun

This picture captures those fun times that kids have in the summer.  The photographer (probably a mom or other friend) was able to capture the boys right as they were in mid air of their jump.  I like how the boys are suspended in midair.  This is interesting to me because there is only a small frame of time that can catpure this moment.  if you miss you opportunity  to capture it, its gone.

Effel Tower

This is an interesting image to me because of all the motion that surrounds this large stationary object.  There are a lot of cars moving arround which can bee seen by the blurred head lights.  This gives the sense that there are a lot of people moving around.  Then in the middle of the image there is this big tower that is not moving and just there.  I like this juxtaposition of movement and nonmovement in such a major city like Paris.

distortion

The glass of water on the table distorts the face of the woman in the picture.  Its has a intreging effect because it makes her face lop sided with her right side lower than her left side.  You can also see the distortion on the table through the reflection.  The reflection gives the immage a good balance.  It also gives you more of a sense of what her face actually looks like because it is less distorted. 

BMX

I chose this picture because I like how the photographer is able to capture this rider in the middle of his trick.  One thing that really interests me about photography is how it is able to capture a moment and freeze time.  It is a cool effect that the rider is all dark while against the lighter sky.  That makes for a nice piece of contrast.

sky scrapers

I like how this is an interesting angle to look at buildings.  this is how everyone would see a skyscraper while they are walking through a major city like New York.  However when you think of major cities you dont often seen this angle portaited you often see them in a distance and they dont look as big as they do in this picture.

Shot by Digital Photo Blog.
Accessed here:http://www.petapixel.com/2012/01/02/dazzling-photos-of-gold-fireflies-in-japan/
There are a whole collection of these photos and they are all stunning. Fireflies are magical already, but the strength of the photographic medium here is its ability to manipulate time. It actually captures all of the fireflies in the air by taking just a slightly longer exposure. Oddly enough the background is faded, unfocused and boring,
but the mere presence of the effusive balls of yellow, yellow light makes the picture pop like anything.

The Alley of Despair

This photograph is called "The Alley of Despair." The name fits the ominous mood of the image. The landscape is bleak and the path or "alley" seems be very uninviting. Despite these qualities, I find the photo to be beautiful. Even though it is foreboding, there is a certain aspect of the picture that I can't put my finger on that is very appealing to me.

Skyline From Brooklyn

http://www.paulpolitis.com/bwgallery/night/photograph.asp?photo=223
Manhattan Skyline From Brooklyn, Paul Politis

I think at night black and white photography really catches its relevance. At night, there is arguably no color in the world, and so black and white photography is hauntingly real, and has a certain crispness that color photography often lacks. Having such distinct and strong boundaries between the whites and blacks makes the world so much cleaner and stylized. This picture in particular, I think, is very balanced. there is about as much positive space in the foreground (the pillars) as in the background (the buildings). They are also spaced  in opposition to each other, leaning to opposite sides of the frame. The pillars are completely dark, while the buildings are luminous.

Stairs

I really like the photographer's choice of vantage point here. The positioning right at the top of the stairs makes me feel like I am standing there, teetering on the edge. It gives me the same feeling I experience when I look down from a balcony or other high place. Also, the stairs visible in the distance seem to connect the immediate space in the foreground with the other side of the building far away.

Window

 

The most interesting aspect of this photo is the lighting. It is a seemingly dark room, but there is brilliantly bright light streaming in from the window which illuminates the woman and seems to consume her. If the window was replaced by a blank wall, this picture would have been totally uninteresting, but the almost supernatural affect that the glowing window has makes the image worth a second look.

Intimacy by nKia

Yay for silhouettes!
I think this image perfectly demonstrates the shades that every photographer aims to get in black and white photos with the light lights and the dark darks. I think it's interesting that the subject is not centered in the photo, but is in the background. The beads hanging down add a lot of character and shape to the picture as well. I wanna have a photoshoot here, man!

Vulnerable by sarahfina11

I guess you can say these past few months of having nude photoshoots has had an effect on me.
Here there is a repetative shape of rectangles (the mattress, window, bars). The first thing that strikes me here is the vantage point--it reminds me of a fly on a wall. Or better yet, a hidden camera maybe o.O hense the confrontational look in her eyes.

Cracked, by Jimasso

I feel that there is a lot of symbolism that can be taken from this image. One of them of course being the facades people wear when they step out into the public eye--in this case makeup.
I love how you can see the crackling texture of the mud mask (that's what I think it is) in such close detail. The eyes however are a bit distracting because they've obviously been Photoshopped.

Male Nude 53 by Lion-Heart-Studio

Here the shadows and highlights in the darkness work together to display the human form. I really like the overhead lighting technique used in here for it gives off the shape of two triangles. I love how the model is positioned.

Hades

This is called "Hades" by Electica_Electrica. My god it's a foggy morning!
I love the reflection of the trees and the boat on the water. It reminds me of some mutated butterfly when I squint my eyes.
There are only dismal shades in this image which matches the somber mood it brings perfectly. Well, not only somber... more of a mystery. The photographer didn't catch the boat and the trees in the dead center of the photo which I think really adds to the effect.

My eyes also wander to the left where another lone tree is hidden. I think the title for this image is very appropriate for it reminds me of the Underworld, the river of Styx

And then there were naked people.

This is called "Favorites and Lovely Things" by, once again, suzi9mm. And what a nice and lovely thing indeed this is.
The phrase "less is more" comes to my head when I look at this.
What really strikes me about this photo is the fact the photographer chose to only show some of her models, not all of them. Even though we can't see it completely, we obviously know what's going down here. 
The light in the image is absolutely spectacular! I love how it reflects off of their skin! I think suzi really captured the sensuality in this. God this is so good!

Strawberry!

This is called "Strawberry and Water" by deviantart user cRomoZone. I love the bright colors that compliment the image. You can see the texture of the strawberry and the details of in the water. I really think this is hella cool effect. I also love that you can see the color of the strawberry and the pink... whatever thingy... reflected in the splash.

Bleeding Heart Leaf

This image is called "Bleeding Heart Leaf" and it was taken by Walter Chappell. The contrast is great because there is just a bit of light, or white, that appears to be moving out of the very dark plant looking thing. The pattern created by this light is very appealing. It makes me wonder what this is actually an image of.

Times Square in the Rain

This image is called "Times Square in the Rain" and it was taken by Lou Stoumen in 1940. The perspective is very interesting because it seems to add depth to the image. On the road there are endless cars driving towards the viewer.  The advertisments surrounded by white fog stand out and reveal the time period to the viewer.  The viewer can see the water on the street and it seems to be reflecting something.

New York at Night

This image is entitled “New York at Night” and it was taken by Berenice Abbott in 1935. The perspective is very interesting because the image was taken from above from an angle. This angle makes the buildings seem as if they are not straight. It also allows the viewer to see a street that runs diagonally through the bottom of the image dividing it into two triangles. The top triangle of buildings seems to go on forever giving the view the idea that the city is endless. The contrast in this image is very interesting because it is mostly black with white lights and there is very little grey. Overall, the perspective makes this image very interesting.

Running for Shelter During Air Raid

Robert Capa's Running for Shelter During Air Raid was taken in Barcelona in 1939.  It gives a glimpse of what it was like to live in Europe during World War II. At any moment, one had to be prepared to drop everything and seek cover. It seems as if this woman was caught off guard by the raid because she is wearing high heels which are obviously not ideal for running. I find it interesting that the background of the picture is blurred while the woman and her dog are clear. This suggests that the photographer was moving with them. It is difficult for me to understand how in a life threatening situation such as this one, Capa was focused on capturing the moment with his camera rather than immediately finding shelter.

Sadness

http://www.noupe.com/photography/35-powerful-photos-that-each-tells-a-story.html

What I like about this picture is the amount of emotion that is conveyed.  The artist does a great job of contrast when it comes to the white dress and the dark shadows in the background but really stands out is how the photographer only focuses in on the girls face.  This forces anyone who is looking at the photograph to see the sadness that the girl is feeling and immediately feel bad for her.  That one tear and the look on her face just conveys this great sadness and feeling of having lost something and I think it is amazing that all of that emotion can be captured in a photograph.

Injustice

http://www.noupe.com/photography/35-powerful-photos-that-each-tells-a-story.html

In the picture, the focus is again on telling a story but this one is of pain and suffering.  In Rwanda this man was mutilated under suspicion of sympathizing with rebel forces in the country.  The photographer hoped this photo would help send the message that not all is well in the world and people need help being safe from torture and oppression.  Just the look of pain and suffering in the eyes of the individual is enough to make someone wish to help not to mention the massive scars that cover half of his head.  I think this picture really shows how photography can be used to send a message and make others aware of whats going on across the globe.

The unknown

http://www.noupe.com/photography/35-powerful-photos-that-each-tells-a-story.html

What I like most about this picture is the mystery behind the woman on the train tracks.  Its possible to write many different tales describing why she would be there but the artist keeps her true reasons for being there a secret.  Another great thing about this photo is the contrast of the dark shadows from the train tracks compared to the white dress that the woman wears and the white clouds in the sky.  Finally, this picture like the many others I have looked at is amazing when it comes to detail.  You can see every part of the train tracks and every detail of her dress swaying in the wind.

River

http://randommization.com/2011/03/04/incredible-photography-by-mikko-lagerstedt/

Another example of terrific photography.  Much like my last post this photographer again uses lighting, vantage point, and attention to detail in making this an amazing photograph.  It is incredible that the artist is able to capture the layer of fog being lit up by the sunrise over this river.  It makes one wonder where this river is located and where the photographer is when taking the picture, because from this viewpoint it appears the photographer is floating in midair.  Either way they do an amazing job of capturing this scene, especially the reflection of the sky in the river.

Flower

http://randommization.com/2011/03/04/incredible-photography-by-mikko-lagerstedt/

Here the photographer does an incredible job of capturing all the detail and beauty of this flower.  Its so detailed that you can see rain drops caught on the petals.  Also the contrast and the lighting add to the beauty of this picture.  Finally, another integral part of this picture is the color, the beautiful blueish-green that accents the petals in a way that is incredible.  Overall, the photographer does a great job when paying attention to lighting, vantage point, and detail.

Moonrise

This picture, called Moonrise, was taken by Edward Steichen, one of the photography giants of the early 1900's, in New York. As its name suggests, it depicts the moon rising from behind the trees over a pond or lake. The effect of the reflection of the trees on the water adds an interesting aesthetic quality to the photo. However, I am disappointed by how dark the picture is because a lot of the detail, especially around the edges is lost. I understand that being 1904, this is probably the best you could hope for at night, but it still leaves me wishing that everything was more clearly visible.

American House

This photograph was taken in a ghost town in Colorado. For me, it captures the relentless passage of time. The worn out letters that spell out "American House" and the decaying wood of the house are evidence of time's destructive nature. Even the mountains in the background were formed by slow geological processes over long periods of time. This picture is a depressing reminder to me that everything fades and decays given sufficient time.

Dark trees

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp140/RayquazaDarkness/DarkForest.jpg

Whats special about this picture is the gloomy and mysterious feeling that the viewer feels.  Another major part of this photo is the intense colors from the sky and sunlight and the focus on the darkness of the trees against the sky.  Overall it is an incredible picture and it is amazing how the colors are so beautiful and stick out.  Also the artist does a great job with keeping the contrast perfect and really drawing out the detail of each individual branch.  I think this is a terrific photo, especially since it pertains to the beauty of nature.

Architecture

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/03/10/35-fantastic-hdr-pictures/

When it comes to this photograph, the artist focuses on the details that are part of this amazing architecture.  One cannot help but look closely to make sure not to miss any of the great details that are captured by this photo.  This picture really makes the viewer want to know where this located and what the rest of the building looks like?  The mystery helps add to the greatness of the picture.  I think this type of architecture is incredible which makes it impossible for me to think any less of this photograph which captures the beauty of the building.

Sun rays

http://funees.com/amazing-inspiring-sun-rays-photography.html

I really like this photo due to the fact that the photographer focuses on the beauty of sun rays.  I always loved seeing sun rays breaking through the clouds and think it is very rare for a photographer to really focus on this beauty created by the environment.  Another thing that makes this a great picture is how the trees all share red leaves, something that many people are not accustomed to.  Plus the picture takes place on a path that cuts through these beautiful woods and together all these elements make this an amazing photo.  I think that one can easily create a story using this picture.  Yet, probably the most important part of this picture is how it shows the beauty of nature.

Touch by claustrofobia

 

on deviantart.

My god, the human body is beautiful. My eyes immediatly wander down along the ridges and the shadows of her back, along with the moles and other marks on her skin. I love that the peachy color of flesh dominates most of the image, her skin and the paintings. The composition is great (I think at least) because the paintings really enhance the aesthetic quality. 

When I look at this, I see the ubiquity of art in this photo--the paintings, the metal work, the photograph (obviously) and the model. Yes. The model--modeling, collaborating with the photographer in itself is an art to me.  

treat this soul by Mikesh Kaos

This is once again from my favorite collections in deviantart photography.

Here in this picture we see a shirtless man (who I believe is the photographer himself) looking to his right but the top half of his face is blurred.

One of the most striking feaures in this image is the shadows that highlight the contours of his body, particularly the clavicle. Here, we see the depth and the < shape perfectly. I just keep looking at the lowered space on the inside of the triangle and this image almost becomes 3 dimentional. I really like the spacing in this image, the wall paper in the backgrounds adds a nice touch.

Lastly, I'm really digging the blurred face--it conveys an ambiguous quality to the image.

The only weakness I can see in this image would probably be the under-contrast. <--I do admit, this is a little biased of me because as a photographer when I'm printing my photos I am usually not satisfied with my prints until I see the full range of black and white within the image. But again, that's just me.
I think if there was black in this photo, as opposed to dark dark gray, that it would add more of a mysterious and dismal tone to this photo. But then again, who knows what effect the photographer was going for?

Hellen Levitt

The pictiure shows two young children in the middle of the street, and they're dancing. A white girl and a black boy are strong contrast. The scene is joyful and peaceful which shows the view of children on street in New York City back in early 20 century. She captured the happy moment of children because children are pure and they are the symbol of happiness. Levitt recorded the valuable  moment of life.

Sally Mann

This is a sleeping girl by Sally Mann, I guess this is one of her daughter when she was sleeping. She captured this picture at a perfect moment. The wind blowing on this girl's face and hair. The girl is sleeping, and she is so calm and sweet. I want to question that does the eyes of the girl are showing something.

Curved bridge

The picture is a curved bridge. The beauty of the photo is the curve. At night, the dark sky and bright bridge make a great contrast. The frame of the picture makes me curious about the full view of the bridge. The bridge itself is the beauty of the night. Every wood stick shows the detail of the bridge. And the view of the bridge is a vintage point which is perfectly shows the beauty of bridge and night.