Analysis of an Image Based on “EMOTION OF COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY VS. BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY” Research
Critical, Visual and Interpretive Analysis of a Photographic Image
Christopher Moore
Student Number: SXXXXXXXX
World History of Photography
The purpose of this paper is to conduct critical, visual and interpretive analysis of the photographic image shown below in relation to my term paper research. In my term paper, I focused on the emotions in color photography vs. black-and-white photography. The research findings show that black-and-white photography has more emotional power than color photography. The main argument behind the findings as that black-and-white photographic images have sharp contrast are detailed. The photographic image above is more powerful in the sense of its contrast and lighting. This black-and-white photographic image depicts a dog looking right into the lens of a camera. The image has employed both shadow and lighting blended to display the intended subject matter of a sad, frightened dog.
Photo by Keith Carter
Representational meaning: the photographic image highlights one dog in an unclear location. The unclear location is demonstrated by undefined background and foreground. The dog is remarkably close to the camera to the extent that it remains in the foreground. So, it can be argued that the dog is the foreground. On the other hand, the background of the photographic image is blurry because everything in there is out of focus to an extent that the viewer may lack the idea about the content of the background. However, the background has a smooth texture. Evidently, the mid-ground does not exist in the photographic image.
The intended message for the viewer of the photographic image is how a dog is likely to display sadness through their unique facial expressions. For example, in this photographic image, a viewer is likely to see tear drops from both eyes of the dog.
While in the foreground, the dog looks straight into the camera. Its eyes imply that the animal is emotionally charged with sadness. The dog is in pain. The dog has its ears laid back against the head, tightly to the level that they cannot be seen by a viewer. This shows that the dog is reacting fearfully or timidly to the person taking the picture. So, apart from the eyes indicating sadness, the dog's ears show a timid reaction as they are pulled back, tightly. The photographic image focuses on the head of the dog. However, the dog has a partly white face, especially in the areas between the nose, mouth and cheeks. Also, the dog has a partly white neck. Nonetheless, the rest of the body parts of the dog are out of focus.
The photographic image is taken slightly from a side angle. However, the subject is watched at close range because it is in the foreground. This helps in evoking an objective viewpoint. Also, it is important to note that the subject becomes more individual because it is the only aspect placed on focus. This aspect of eye level plays a significant role in developing the subject matter of a timid or scared dog. It makes the image devoid of the sense of equality between the viewer and the subject. The dog feels vulnerable to the photographer, as seen through eye contact. The visual focal point on the photographic image lies on the face of the dog. Its eye contact and the partly white neck and cheeks provide the focal points. The image has a sharp contrast between the head of the subject and the background, which helps in enhancing the subject matter of the piece. This helps in making the image's narrative as emotional response in a dog. Dogs have unique emotional responses, and since the photographic image focuses only on the head of the subject, it shows that emotions of a dog can be detected by looking through the eyes and face in general.
As a result of the black-and-white photography, the subject not the photograph is able to come out clearly. Also, the viewer can remember the content of the photograph because of its sharp contrast. Also, the fact that everything else is out of focus except for the face of the dog makes the image more powerful in terms of its ability to evoke emotions in a viewer.
