Blog Entry #2

Photographer: Tom Chambers


Winged-Migration 2009
Link to Image

Subject Matter:
A girl running barefoot and birds flying overhead.
Form:
I. Point of view – The camera is low to the ground, and looking up at the girl.
II. Depth of field – Everything is in focus, which means this image has an extended depth of field.
III. Color – The colors are neutral, dark, and muddy.
IV. Motion – The girl’s posture and the birds in the air portray the sense of motion.
V. Balance and framing– The image has asymmetrical balance because of the tilt of the frame, the offset position of the girl. The girl’s head is cut off by the edge of the frame.
VI. Medium: Photomontage

Interpretation:
This image portrays fear, gloom, horror, and peril. There is a sense of gloom and intensity to this image. There are subtle details, which really add to the feeling this image gives. The point of view is off kilter giving the image and even more offsetting feeling. The sharp focus of everything in the image shows that everything in the image is important to the meaning. The colors in this image are neutral and muddy, creating a gloomy feel. The feeling of motion comes across with the directional lines created by the girl’s legs, the way her right foot is flexing as her toes barely touch the ground as she lifts her foot to take another step. The lines of the girl’s flowing dress imply motion. The girl’s hair is blowing backwards which shows that she is moving forward and if the viewer studies the image enough, one can see that the girls face has a slight motion blur. The birds in the sky are also a indication of movement within the image, we are accustomed to seeing a bird in the sky as it flies. The balance in this image also adds to the feelings of danger or chaos. The image is asymmetrical with the girl off to the right side, showing more of what she is running away from rather than what she is running to. The girl’s face being slightly out of focus and chopped off by the edge of the frame seems to be intentional and significant to the meaning of the image. Lastly, one of the more important aspects of this image is that it is a photomontage. This means that the artist deliberately included, or excluded, each element within the frame. This helps to answer questions about the slightly awkward perspective, motion blur, depth of field, etc.
After reading a little about the photographer I learned that he does use photomontages to create a sense of peril, which he uses to symbolize life’s vulnerability. In his more recent work, he tries to portray the negative impact humans have on the animal kingdom because of their disregard for it. This particular image might make a comment on this. The fact that the girls head is chopped off might mean that it doesn’t matter who she is, she might just be there to represent humans as a whole. The birds could symbolize migration and how humans indirectly disrupt migration of birds as well as other species.