Blog Post #9

With the photograph I chose, "Fishing Hole" by Volkmar K. Wentzel, the vectors of attention are directed towards the water. The way the subjects are arranged, farther to the left, and then directing their attention to the right towards the water draws the viewers attention to the water also. I think when first looking at this photograph, one's attention is drawn to the darkest and the object that takes up most of the photograph. So, we first look at the left side and then take notice to the two boys fishing. Then, since they are looking at the water, our attention is then directed to the water also. The way our attention is drawn is related to ethos. After determining the order, I then ask, Why did Wentzel include these parts of the photograph, and not others? This arrangement works well to get and then direct our attention so we can better relate to the situation, and this brings me to logos or, as stated on page 285 of "Compose Design Advocate", shaping someone else's attention. As I've stated before, this photograph directs our attention in a certain manner and order. I think because the boys aren't looking at us, we do not connect as much with the boys, but I don't think that was the purpose that Wentzel took the photograph. I think he took it to capture the American life and leisure in the late 30's, and maybe the viewers can relate to them and connect to them in that way, which in turn, relates to pathos of a photograph. I think if we have experienced this, we feel a certain way and are able to either pur ourselves in the boy's shoes, or recall a memory of ours. Wentzel took into consideration the angle at which to take this, and the decision to not have us focus so much on the boys' faces, but more on their activity.

Next, the framing and cropping of this photograph helps to foster to the where the attention is drawn. Because the boys are offset to the left, and Wentzel includes the water on the right, our mind is able to wander more. Compared to if it was cropped to just include the boys into the picture. Also, because Wentzel included more than just the boys, we focus on more aspects on the photograph, such as, the tree and greenery, the water, and the fishing pole. The colors of the photograph also affect how we view it. Even though it is in black and white, the brightness of the greys creates a more dramatic scene. If you blurr your eyes, there isn't much distiction between light and dark, but this is mostly because it is probably just natural lighting. The things that stand out the most are the boy's hat, and the reflecion on the water where the trees are and aren't. Doing this makes us look at the background more.