Is it War?

(Marion Images Up & Coming NYC Photographer)

To begin with a description: The American flag in the background offers vibrant colors in order to grab the viewers attention, while the vertical strips of the flag are conflicting with the horizontal gun she is possessing. It also seems as though there are blurred edges or clouds on the sides of the flag, which were most likely photoshopped into the picture. The woman is wearing a camo uniform with high black boots - creating both a seductive appeal along with a warrior appeal. The contrast of skin tones between the woman and her baby place emphasis on the baby because of its bright pale color. The light is directed onto both the woman and baby's face revealing they are the focal point. The photo looks textured because of the blurred edges and backdrop.

While the description is depicting the obvious aspects of the picture I would like to go more in depth and interpret the photo to the best of my ability. It looks as though this is straight photography, although there are blurred edges creating a pictorialism look, the photograph seems to be taken straight on and extremely focused. I think the photographer did this so he could capture the pain in the "model" or army woman's eyes. She is trying to send the message: Maybe to stop war OR that women can fight in war just as well as a man. Men should not be the only ones expected to leave their families behind, women should too. On another level, this picture could be showing what the war has left behind to most families/army wives: a widowed woman, a newborn child, some rifles and a uniform.

Gertrude Kasebier toward Modernism

Using a sensitive eye and formally glancing at this photograph it is evident there are a multitude of segments gleaming from this work of art. The contrast of light immediately draws us to the women/girl(s) in white attire. The dark contrast of the room mixed with the bright white from the subjects emphasizes the main focus of the picture to be the three women. The detail of the dark, dated room and mother preparing her daughter for marriage resemble the historical time period of which this picture was taken. The subjects are extremely clear in the photo, although they do not show a frontal view of their faces. Behind the women there are various diagonally placed window panes creating an artistically shaped background. While the shapes cover the back wall, it looks as though the floor is carpeted creating a textured ground. This shaped wall and textured floor, together, contrast dark and light colors to also place the main focus on the subjects.

Now trying to interpret this picture my first question: why did Kasebier create this particular image? I would think, this is a woman's wedding day and Kasebier is the photographer. Just like today, wedding photographers do not only take straight on photographs rather they catch the beauty in every movement. This image is extremely valuable to the progression of the camera because they lighting and focus are creating a crisp image using the people as the focal point.

Ice Hiking Craze

These are they type of pictures that embody 1,000 words at first glance. I took these pictures over winter break when I took a trip to Rickett's Glenn with some friends. We have began making this trip an annual one because of the extreme thrill of trudging through the frozen waterfalls. This was the first year I attempted the "This falls trail is closed to all climbers except: Registered Ice Climbers" trail. I took my life in my hands, really, because my boyfriend purchased "crampons" for me insisting that they were the only equipment I needed to complete this trail. Although the scenery was breathtaking I am unsure if I could knowingly go onto this deadly trail again. I think it was one of those, once in a lifetime experiences that I do not need to try again, but the pictures I captured are ones I will absolutely treasure forever.

The Notorious Lake House

The the picture I chose for my main header is one that expresses most of my summer weekends. This picture was taken this past summer at my friends family lake house. I took this picture sitting on the dock, looking out at the trees surrounding us. Although the dock is small we squeeze between ten to fifteen people and a few dogs on it every weekend while making extraordinary memories together.