Blog Post #3b: Composition and Lighting

What is this post? Choose one example from an artist on this list and describe/analyze the strengths of the composition and lighting.

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/262589

Ansel Adam’s Trailer Camp Children, Californiaca 1940 is made up of several factors that makes the composition of the photograph very powerful. This image craves answers to the many questions one may ask about it. Why are these children alone? Where are their parents? Why are the children’s faces fearful and lost? Why are they all holding one another? In addition the messy background and the dirtiness of the children hint at poverty. The age range and the body positioning hints that the three boys pictured are brothers. In terms of lightening, the choice of the light source coming from the left side of the photograph in addition to the placement of the main subjects (the boys) in the right side image adds drama and curiosity. The boy, aside from the child, are clearly looking at the light source encouraging the idea that there is something fearful they are looking at. The light source mainly lands on the child in the lower half of the image. This child is the only child looking away from the light source. The child’s lack fo acknowledgement to where his brothers stair symbolizes the innocence of youth.