5A: Reimaging Visual Framing

Sally Mann

 The space in the original photo creates deep space. In the foreground your eye catches the shore line, which continues into the deep space that it creates. The shore line takes you to the drift wood in the middle ground of the photo. The shore line then goes further into deep space to the trees in the background. The shore line, drift wood, and the trees in the background create three different types of perceived lines. The trees in the background create vertical lines, which is in contrast to the drift wood that creates a horizontal line in the picture. The shore line also creates a line that goes into the photo, which creates the illusion of depth. The drift wood and the one stand out tree in the background create a triangular shape, which creates affinity within the photo. The space of the second photo differs from the first because it creates flat space. This is because you can only see the drift wood and the shore line. There is really no sense of a foreground, middle ground, and background. I chose to crop the first photo the way I did because I liked the tension and release that the drift wood creates against the shore line. Your eyes follow the shore line, which is the visual movement of the photo. Then, you notice the strange looking drift wood. This creates so much tension because the shore line is smooth and flowing and then the drift wood looks rough and ridged. It is placed in such as way where it is practically perpendicular to the shore line. Also, the drift wood disrupts the visual rhythm of the photo. Then release is created when you move past the drift wood to the shore line. I believe that the Sally Mann framed the photo the way she did because of the visual movement, tension, and depth of space that this photo creates. This photo does so many things in such a simple looking picture, that I believe can easily be taken for granted.