Seminar Task; Week 2

Seminar Task; Week 2

Seminar task wk2

This is the image I was given, it was image number 4.


What time period, decade or year do you think this photograph was created in? What visual cues support your choice? 

I think that this photograph was created in the 50s as the ladies inside the building are wearing clothing that coincides with the fashion trends of the 50s. The cars are also very old fashioned and look similar to those popular in the 50s-60s.


Where in the world was this photograph taken? Again, please detail your reasons for asserting your choice.

I think that this photograph was taken in an English speaking country, as if you look very closely you can see English writing on the vehicle in the back. I would suspect that the photo was taken in either UK or the US, but I am more swayed towards saying the US as the grate on the pavement does not look familiar. Other than this though, there are not many cues to indicate whether this is the US or UK.


In a short paragraph, how would you describe the key visual elements of the photograph? What is contained within the frame?

 In the frame we can see the photographer taking a picture of herself in the window of a building. Behind her is a busy street full of cars, and possibly some kind of park or green space on the left, indicated by the tree. Because the darkness of her coat blocks out some of the light reflecting on the window, we can see inside the building, where what could be a mother and daughter are sat having a conversation, possibly waiting for something. The daughter is looking towards the camera with a confused expression, which could also be perceived as being a bit angry, and this could indicate that the mother and daughter have had a disagreement.


How is/are the human subject(s) of the photograph engaging with the camera/photographer?

 In this case, the photographer is one of the subjects of the photograph. The two women inside the building are having their own conversation, and it is a rather candid image of the woman on the left as she is not aware she is being photographed. The woman on the right however seems to have noticed and is staring at the camera with a confused expression, possibly wondering why a woman is taking a photo of a window, or wondering if the photograph is of her.


What, if any directions do you think the photographer may have given to the subject(s) of the photograph?

I do not think the photographer had to give any directions to anyone in this photograph; the women inside the building are behind a pane of glass so the photographer wouldn’t be able to speak to them. The other subject is the photographer, and she wouldn’t have had to give herself directions. However I do think she has purposefully constructed the image so that her dark image on the window blocks out enough light for us to be able to see the women inside in her silhouette.


What do you believe the photographer wants, you, the viewer to take from the image?

I think that the photographer wants us to think about the fact that we walk past people every day, and they all have their own problems. Maybe this photograph is supposed to show us a little insight into the photographer’s life. The women in the image are inside her silhouette, and this could signify that they are people in her life, or they at least represent them. It could be a nod to when she was younger and had disagreements with her mother maybe, or could just show that everyone goes through situations like this, since it is a very normal setting.


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