Immersion Assignment6 Images I Find Interesting.

Rufaro Maumbe

When the World Burns Around Us – Rob Woodcox

The symbol of the image are that the world around the couple is falling apart and burning to ashes and there’s nothing they can do about it than sit and watch it burn around them. There are a lot of metaphors that could describe this photo e.g. “a burning tower of destruction” which it is in this photo because the fire is causing destruction and igniting everything in its path. Also; “The red sun burns to ashes, and under its flame we are left with dust.” I think this not only describes the fire but also the two people in the photo because after the fire has destroyed the world around them all that’s going to be left are ashes/dust. I think that it has connotations love because even when your world is falling apart and there’s nothing you can do to save it, love (from friends/partners and family) can pull you through. This creates juxtaposition because around them the world is burning but they don’t look scared or in danger, they’re accepting it and holding on to each other for strength and support. I think that this photograph represents relationships in every form because we all need love and support to make things seem okay even when they aren’t.

Helena Bonham Carter for Vogue – Tim Walker

Tim Walker has been a fashion photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair for many years. Before university he spent a year working for Cecil Beaton

I like this photo that Tim shot for Vogue because of the bright floral colours in the background influenced the colour of the smoke/fog and it all blends well. The model and the machine are the foreground interest and it looks like she was travelling somewhere and crashed into a meadow. The broken shards of glass and the smoke coming from the machine can be associated destruction but the model doesn’t seem distressed because of where she landed. The clouds give good texture to this photo and they bring out all of the colours in the foreground. To me, this photo represents that you can find the good in all bad situations.

the rabbit hole – brooke shaden

Brooke Shaden is a surrealism photographer. The composition in this photograph is aesthetically pleasing because the girl and the rabbit hole are both in the center foreground of the image. The little bunny in the bottom corner of the image adds more to the element of the Alice in wonderland theme.

The image is a bit dark which contrasts the children fairytale. The girl jumping into the rabbit hole may be a way of her escaping reality into a different world.

Jesus is my homeboy – David LaChapelle

David LaChapelle is a fine art photographer who uses a unique hyper-realism aesthetic with profound social messages.

Looking at this image my eyes are drawn instantly to “Jesus” in the center of the image with the glow around his head. The way “Jesus” is surrounded by these people who look far from innocent is a juxtaposition. It has a religious connotation. I like this picture because it’s unusual and it reminds me of ‘The Last Supper’ painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

Stories worth telling – Rob Woodcox

Rob Woodcox is a surreal portrait and fine art photographer. He created a series of images called ‘Stories worth telling’ where he spent time with foster children in need, learnt their stories and captured their emotions through the pictures. The series was used to help fundraise money for these children.

I like this image in particular because it feels like the girls are trying to dig themselves out of a deep dark place and into the light. This image really evokes a feeling within me, it makes me question what’s happened in these girls lives; especially the little girl at the bottom curled up. The lighting gives this image a very dark uneasy atmosphere. The dirt on their clothes may represent that their lives haven’t been pristine and perfect.

Jessica Chastain posed on a black horse shot by Annie Leibovitz for the Disney Dreams series.

This photo captures the character of Merida from Disney’s Brave really well because of her posture and the bow and arrows. The big red messy hair is also similar to Merida’s. Jessica’s posture could be associated with being brave because she’s staring right at her “target” and ready to shoot her arrow which symbolise bravery. It doesn’t have connotations of a real princess because she’s got long bushy red hair and she’s on a horse with a bow and arrow instead of riding a horse carriage. I like this about the photo because it tells the story of the movie and shows that Merida is not your average Disney princess. The background is a beautiful landscape with stormy clouds above because Merida is a Scottish princess and this represents Scotland. The foreground interest are the horse and Jessica Chastain. The horse looks very majestic and royal which could also represent bravery. The texture of the green velvet dress against the velvet looking black horse hair looks amazing and it’s emphasized by the textures in the background of the image.