Contextual Studies

Artist: Margaret Bourke-White

Title/ date: San Jacinto Monument from a Helicopter, Texas

1952, printed c. 1970

In this frame you can see a building and street from a bird eye viewpoint of view. In this image it
looks like there is people parked in the car and ready to go to work. This photo is older and it is
shown in B&W. But by the shadows it is a sunny day. The aesthetic of this images makes you feel
like you are on the top of the world. The composition of this images shows different shapes such as
triangles, square and rectangle. The arrangement of this image is good as the building is not in the
central of the image. I really liked this image as it captured my eye because of the view point and the
layout of the image. In my opinion the image brings out the emotion of being afraid and being brave
as different perspectives can be seen in the high point of view. I really find it interesting this image as
it is shot from a helicopter. The photographer that took this image is an American documentary
photographer and she was the first woman to be allowed to work in combat zones during World
War II. She was born on the 14th June 1904 in New York City.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual Studies

Artist: Margaret Bourke-White

Title/ Date: The Colorado farmer Art Blooding and his family inspect their newly bought farm in
1954

In this frame you can see a family that is standing outside of the house, it can as well be seen is the
landscape that is behind the family of 6. This image is older and is presented in a B&W form but even
though the image doesn’t show colour it lets the imagination work as the viewer can imagine the
true colour of this image. The composition is well presented as the focal point is set on the family
and that was purposely done by putting them in the middle of the layout. The emotion this image
gives off is a new start and hope as the hug each other for support and look at the direction that
seems to be their new chapter. This image captured my eye as it has an cinematic effect like it was a
scene from a movie as well the man in the family reminds me a lot of James bond and his job to keep
everyone safe. Margaret was not only interested in taking helicopter shots but as well on land shots
too. The emotion that would be made by this image is family love by looking at the family gathered
together in a group, holding each other with trust.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual Studies

Artist: Alfred Eisenstaedt

Title/ date: The Iconic V-J Day in Times Square 1945

In this frame the two main characters are shown them sharing a kiss in the middle of the street. Not
only have they been captured but the atmosphere around them such as a parade for navy soldiers
for coming back home. This image is shown in a black and white form but this image is perfectly
capture in B&W as it makes it more historical and more mysterious. In my opinion this image is the
most beautiful realistic image that shows true emotions and the connection between two people
captured in a single photo that is kept forever. The person that captured this image is a German born
American photographer that was born 6 th December 1898 in West Prussia. This image was the most
famous image that he has captured by a 35mm in natural lighting. This image shows the emotion of
love by capturing the most precious thing on the world the human connection between to
individuals. This layout of this image is show well as it shows two subjects fully in the frame and are
the focal point of the image.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual Studies

Artist: Philippe Halsman

Title/ date: | Dalí Atomicus | 1948

In this frame there is a lot of elements and chaos in the whole layout first glance makes the viewer
see the water splashing a cat and what seems to be a painting. Then the eyes glance to the painter
which is the guy jumping in the air and other elements then are seen by viewing the full perspective.
This frame was capture on a slightly lower angle to shot this image. The layout of this image is
everywhere but even though the composition is not normal it so how fits together like a puzzle. I
was capture by this image as it reminded me off Alice in the wonderland and Narnia. Both stories
with fantasy outlook on life. This image has different tones of colour that pop from the image such
as the darker tones on the animals and furniture. Philippe Halsman is a American portrait
photographer who was born in 2nd Mat 1906 in Riga, Latvia and he is the person that has capture this
artist outlook on a painters thoughts of painting.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual Studies

Artist: Steve McCurry

Title/ date: Sharbat Gula 1984

This image is shot in a MS and it captures the young girl and her emotions. This frame captures the
emotions this girl is going through that are shown by her eyes. The contrast between the red and
green give this image a eye catching look that makes you wonder what is the story behind this girl.
The colours that have been used really brought out the beautiful features of this young person
especially her eyes that have a mysterious look. In my opinion this image is a brilliant portrait
photograph as it speaks to me and makes me want to know more. The emotions that this image is
giving out is fear but power through one glance at her eyes. This picture has appeared on the cover
of a magazine that is called National Geographic and was shot by Steve McCurry who was born in
1950 in Pennsylvania, USA. The composition of this image is well put as it focus on the girl than the
background, I think that is a good layout as he focused on one subject.

Marta Serwatka