CRITIQUING PHOTOGRAPHY
Descriptive - Saunders Penn
Explanatory - Saunders Penn
Interpretive - Jason Hawkes
Aesthetically Evaluative - Saunders Penn
Ethically Evaluative - Alex Brandon
Theoretical - Serena Savage
Descriptive: My photograph is descriptive because a figure with labeled arteries in the hand is being used to assist a student with learning anatomy.
Explanatory: My photograph is descriptive because it illustrates the steps to construct a Lego set.
Interpretive: This photograph of Stonehedge by Jason Hawkes is interpretive because its meaning is very subjective to the public.
Aesthetically Evaluative: My photograph is aesthetically evaluative because it shows off the beautiful mountains and clear water at the Channel Islands National Park.
Ethically Evaluative: Alex Brandon's photograph is ethically evaluative because it portrays a Black Lives Matter protest at the Lincoln Memorial. This protest was protesting both the death of George Floyd and the unjust violence against the black community.
Theoretical: This photo from inside Laurie Anderson's "Four Talks" exhibit in the Hirschhorn Museum is theoretical because the words, pictures, and art on the ground and walls demonstrate a deeper and more abstract meaning than shown at face value.
MULTIMODAL PRESENTATION
Synopsis of Multimodal Presentation
For my presentation, I have taken a deep dive into David Hurn and his photography. Hurn began his photography career documenting photojournalism but decided early in his career to take a more personal approach to photography. David Hurn captures different facets of human life, usually through black and white, head-on photography. In 1965, Hurn joined Magnum Photography, which aims to capture major events and personalities. The images I have chosen to share and discuss are part of Hurn's Magnum Portolio. The theme of this collection focuses primarily on photographs that are both candid and interesting. The way he captures human life leaves the observer to interpret what is happening at that specific moment, as well as the significance and reason that Hurn decided to document the specific instance.
My New Perception of Photography
After reviewing David Hurn's photography, I feel driven to embrace a more candid approach to my photography. I am inspired by his photographs to take more shots of people that are both authentic and interesting. Before studying Hurn's work, I felt constrained in my photography, feeling the need to stage/force photographs to make them interesting. However, after critiquing his work, I have learned to ask myself better questions while capturing moments, such as: What mood is this instance providing? Why is this important to document? What aspects make this photo interesting?