Blog Post #2: DOF Artists

What is this post? In both, analyze the strengths of the composition and describe how the artist’s choice for depth of field contributes to the composition.

Short depth of field image:

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The image Kid in Black-Face with Friend, N.Y.C 1957 by Diane Arbus is an example of a an image shot with a short depth of field. The use fo the short depth of field in this photograph allows the child, who has his face painted black, to be the main focus of the image. The little boy’s stance and facial expression ad an intense feeling to the photograph. Due to the use of short depth of field we as viewers are unable to have a clear look at the boys “friend” in the background but are able to see that he to is in black-face. Although we cannot clearly see the friend the blurred figure still provides us with additional information about the setting that this photo was taken in. Lastly, the figure in the back appears to be older than the little boy in the photo which encourages the idea of hoe children are influenced by the views and beliefs of the people/friends/family that their environment surrounds them in.

Long depth of field image:

The photograph Santa Fe, New Mexico by Robert Frank is an example of a long depth of field image. The use of the long depth field of image for this photograph contributes greatly to the story the photograph tells. The large sign at the top left of the image draws majority of the attention in the image. It read, “Save gas” with the letters intermixed. The “SAVE” is in large, bold letters while the “GAS” is faint and almost unnoticeable. Paired with the loneliness of the other sections of the image that the long depth of field provides to the viewers, a very mysterious and gloomy vibe is created. The simplified look of the entire photograph screams poverty and struggle. Although the only noticeable objects in this photo are the gas pumps, sign and a pole, the additional use of showing the plain and empty background provides a lot to the photograph, and for that addition we have the long depth of field to thank.