Lanscape Photography - The Saga Concludes

As this marks my fourth entry on Landscape Photography within the context of this blog, it has officially become a saga.  All good things must come to an end, however, as there are other areas within the realm of photography that must be explored.  So, without further ado I present two final landscape photographs:

Eleanor, Chicago, 1951 by Harry Callahan

This photograph possesses a lot of features that I admire, and try to incorporate into my own work.  First there is the contrast-y scene, which gives the piece a tremendous presence and plenty of atmosphere.  Yet there are still many grey tones that show themselves in the wild branches of the landscape, elements which lend the photograph a feeling of life.  The image in the middle, of Callahan's wife, is probably the result of a double exposure.  Because of this addition to the landscape, the whole picture becomes surreal and fantastic.  This shows that landscape can be used to highlight a completely different scene, and vice versa.

 

Birches Growing in Books, Detroit by Andrew Moore

 

Here we have another variation on the juxtaposition between nature and man-made structures.  The decaying overhang gives way to collection of trees, and light streams around them into the wrecked space.  Speaking purely of formal qualities, I think this photograph features a lovely color palette, and has a very strong composition.  The green-gold light coming around the trees does a lot to balance the cool, dark tones of the ground.  This once again uses the idea of nature taking back over, once an inorganic structure begins to decay.  Here, it seems almost hopeful and somewhat uplifting.  Maybe it is that fresh, green light, bathing the a scene that might otherwise be dismal.

-Kelly F.