Dajoeng Choi / reaction essay 2 / thur 34

Review of Two Owe-inspiring Photographs                I like photograph because it tells a story with one shot of picture – simple and implicative. So it is very fun to watch how people response to one same photo. In some photographs, the meaning is so clear that can exactly deliver what the photographer purposed, while others can be interpreted into lots of different versions. We have two photos here.              The first photo is seen as a romantic photograph of a couple standing hillside. They are admiring the suspension bridge seemed endless. Because of the dense fog, the bottom of bridge cannot be seen, but this fog creates very dreamy atmosphere in the picture. The couple in the foreground of the photograph keeps attracting my eyes. The man is hugging his lover behind her back and the woman is also grapping his hand. Maybe that bridge is a famous construction that they traveled to here to capture this stunning scenery. If not, a story spontaneously came into my head, which is they were first met here while climbing the mountain, and they visited here again to celebrate their anniversary on the same spot. Isn't it such a romantic and sweet story? Whatever the reason is, at this moment, they may feel as they are the only couple in the whole world.              The other photo shows a beautiful waterfall. You can see a cruise ship is sailing into the waterfall. I've been heard about this tourism product that a cruise sailing across between the waterfall and cliff so that tourists can feel as the huge amount of water straightly coming down above their head. Maybe this is that one. The cruise is carrying as people as possible at once and slowly heading to the grand waterfall. The spray from the waterfall indicates how massive the waterfall is and how fast the falling speed. If I'm one of the people in the cruise, my heart would throb with fright and fear while my head continuously thinking about what' going to happen after a while. But still I think that's something I've got to try.              Both photograph has famous landscape in it and also has people who are admiring it. So I assume that these two photos are attached from a travel brochure. The target of each attraction is different. The first one target couples who want to have their private time away from the crowding city, while young people who crave adventures are the key marketing target of the other one. Also, the grand bridge in the first photo shows the greatness of human, while the other photo let us see the amazing view of what the nature has made.              In conclusion, we have seen the two owe-inspiring photographs. I thought of very different stories while looking these two photos. Overall, the one with the bridge gave me romantic and impressive and the one with the waterfall attracted me with the nature-made stunning view. If those places are actually famous tourist attractions, I really want to visit. The first one with my future lover, and the other one with my fearless friends.

Siho Yang/ reaction essay2/ Thu 11~1

Have you ever been to places where we can feel a magnitude of nature? There are many amazing places showing grand nature such as the Grand canyon and Niagara Falls. When we stand there, fronting the nature, we feel that human beings are so weak and small compared to nature. Here these two photographs show this well. Although they are different in many factors, they both present the clear comparison between nature and human and also they both have a mysterious atmosphere.

 

 The first photograph with a big bridge doesn't seem like a picture. It is more like a painting in imagination. Almost half of the photograph is filled with the sky. Since there is a small amount of cloud, the sky looks simple. At the middle is a big bridge with two high towers connected with a kind of ropes. We can guess how far the distance between two towers is and how huge the bridge is by looking at the size difference between two towers. Under the bridge is full of fogs that almost make it impossible to see the floor of the bridge. Besides the bridge, there are silhouettes of two people – a man and a woman. They are standing there with their backs to fogs behind. This helps us see their shape clearly because of light comparison.

 

 Now let's look at the second photograph. It is divided into two – upper part and down part. The upper part is all about a big fall. We can see that water is falling down with tremendous speed and this makes some fogs around there. At the down part, there is a cruise full of people in it. They seem like being amazed by a huge waterfall. The cruise looks so small compared to the waterfall. This comparison makes us think about what human beings can do in front of the nature. The power of nature is so big that it seems there is nothing we can do. This kind of thought provides an opportunity to learn about being modest.

 

 Two photographs are focusing on different subjects – a bridge and a waterfall – but they are similar in that they tell us about the relationship between human and nature. The first one shows what human can do by posing the big bridge at the very middle of the photograph. The bridge here is sort of a symbol of human civilization. However, in the second photograph, humans look so helpless facing a massive waterfall which symbolizes the nature. The fogs in both photographs are playing a role that make these comparisons stand out as much as possible.

 

 There are various opinions about human and nature. Some think humans can do almost everything and even control the nature. Meanwhile, others think humans are just small creatures that are easily destroyed by even a tiny movement of nature. Each is depicted in two photographs using many effects such as light, size, and position. In spite of the differences, both pictures bring us to think about what human beings are in the enormous nature.

Nam Alexander/the last assignment/Two Pictures/thursday

Photo Instead of Imagination

Many decades ago human beings had to have a good imagination and beautiful words in their notes in order to feel surrounding people and environment. But today just having a look at the photo can make you feel that things. There are two good photos can play a role of the perfect examples of that fact.

The first picture which I would like to call "calmness" shows two people who are in love. I think this picture expresses their sincere feelings toward each other through the calm and quiet atmosphere which shows that they are confident in each other's truly love where there is no place for the doubts and restless emotions in comparison with a lumpy sea. The foggy bridge creates an atmosphere of the lovely relaxation. The two persons are not clearly shown to make feeling that anyone who watch it could imagine that he or she may stand there and feel the gooseflesh and warm of love.

Another picture, which I would like to call "restless" is a totally different situation. The guide ship which is full of the people who are like the fish in the tin looks very tiny in front of the powerful and fearless waterfall. The people like an ancient Greek slaves who came to get forgiveness from the god of the water. But the boiling up and fuming water which drops like the mass of the stones shows god's dissatisfaction.

The both pictures show the wonderful scenes. The "calmness" shows the quiet and warm atmosphere which makes feel relaxed and calm about the surroundings. It also shows the harmony and true love between the couple where the nature is also harmonized with them. But the opposite feelings are experienced by having a look at the "restless" picture. This picture creates a boiling up and the feelings of indignation. It shows not the harmony but the recognition by the human beings, that despite the fact of the high technological achievements we are still the slaves of the nature.

So many decades ago we had to have a perfect imagination of the places which are difficult to get, but today the photos give us a chance to experience the atmosphere of any place even if we cannot get there. By looking at the photo we are able not just imagine but we can to feel what it expresses.   

Dasom Yoo/reaction essay2/Thur34

Atmospheres Created in Two Photographs   Every photograph has its own atmosphere. They are very various, some photographs contain mood of peace, while others have vigorous mood. Here are two photographs with different atmosphere. One is about a couple looking at the bridge. The other one is photograph of a foggy waterfall and a boat approaching it.   In the first photograph, you see a Golden Gate bridge at the background. And there is a couple looking at the bridge in the foreground. The gap between these two is filled up with fog between. It looks like they are blocked by the fog. But they are not trying to cross the bridge but just standing still by the river. Also there is no light, so it is difficult to see the faces of couple clearly. It makes us hard to read their feelings. And it creates atmosphere of stillness and silence.   You can see a boat carrying hundreds of people heading toward the waterfall. People on the boat are so small that it looks like they are ants. They look like that since the photograph was taken above the boat. The current of water under the boat seems active and dynamic because the waves are breaking and forming white foam. Also the waterfall plays an important role of creating magnificent atmosphere. And the boat toward the waterfall creates scene like as if it is confronting the nature.   When you look at both photographs you can find something in common. It is the fog and people. But this fog creates different mood in two photographs. The fog in the first photographs adds sense of darkness to the scene. It is so dense that it covers most of the road of bridge.  You cannot tell how many cars are there or what is happening there. But the fog in other photograph creates mysteriousness and lighter mood. You can see through the fog in some degree. And you know what is behind the fog. But it is still covering some part of waterfall and makes people have expectation.   Two photographs have similar background because they both have fog. But the moods you can sense in these photographs are totally distinct to each other. In one we feel stillness and silence. Also you sense solitude by watching how the couple is standing. The other one is more active, dynamic and also looks risky. They show different moods, but they both have atmospheres that draw people's attention.

Lee, Shin Hye/ Reaction Essay 2/ Thurs 3-4

Most people love to take photographs, and they do not think that taking photographs is not that difficult. Then, what about appreciating photograph? Because a lot of people consider photograph as a kind of art, they think of it as a hard and difficult to understand in detail. However, it is not true. Although we are not experts on photographs, we are able to understand and appreciate photos in our own ways. There are three things to consider when we would like to analyze a photograph: foreground, background and an overall atmosphere.

 Here are two pictures. One photograph is about Golden Bridge, and the other one is about a huge waterfall. First of all, if we have a look at foreground of those two pictures, we can easily find similar and different elements that two photographs contain. On the first picture, there are two people and they look like a couple. There are no other people or elements. And the foreground of the first picture is illustrated as black, so we cannot find more details. On the other hand, we can find a huge cruse with a lot of tourists inside in the foreground of the second picture. Even both of two pictures were taken at riverside or seaside, because of different foreground element, the different atmosphere comes out.

 Next, we need to look up the background of two pictures. One picture has a huge Golden Bridge on its background part, and the other one has a huge waterfall on the background. Even the topics of two pictures are different, they contain a similarity. For example, the background elements-Golden Bridge and waterfall-are fading away. On the right side of both photos, we cannot see the object clearly, which techniques create more dreamlike and mysterious atmosphere. Of course, both pictures have difference in their background; briefly speaking, the trait of Golden Bridge picture can be illustrated as "emptiness", rather that of the picture of waterfall can be said as "solidity." There is no special thing except for sky in the Golden Bridge picture, but in the waterfall picture, we can find no empty room inside of the photograph.

 Lastly, when we want to appreciate or compare two photographs, we need to focus on their overall atmospheres. Because there are few elements including the main object, the Golden Bridge, that photograph creates really calm and silent atmosphere. And a rain-fog around the bridge enhances that peaceful atmosphere. However, in the waterfall photograph, the atmosphere is not calm or peaceful; rather it is really active, powerful and strong. Although the second photograph also contains a water-fog which comes from a huge waterfall, the feeling it gives is totally different from that of the picture of the Golden Bridge. The reason seems to be both two pictures have different foreground and background elements, which finally create the overall atmosphere of each photograph.

 

 To sum up, three parts that we need to consider when we appreciate or compare pictures are mentioned: foreground, background and overall atmosphere. Because we are not experts who professionally criticize or compare photographs, we do not have to afraid from worries from misunderstanding. There is no exact answer in photograph. The photograph, like the photographs we have taken so far, is just a halted moment which captured certain scenery or someone's memory.     

Lee Jae Ryoung / Reaction Essay 2 / Thursday 3,4

Wonderful Scenery in Two Photographs

 

There is a saying that a photograph is an art that makes one moment lasts forever. As a member of the photography club of our school, I'm definitely sure that there is something attractive about photographs. Not only they remain forever so we can recall our memories, but also they contain messages from photographers. The fact that they are taken for some reason is intriguing enough to draw our attention. There are two interesting photographs here; one picture of a bridge and the other one showing a ship and waterfall. In both pictures, the subjects and the landscapes display particular moods and convey certain emotions.

 

In the first picture, there are two people in the front. One is tall and the other one is relatively short. The tall person seems to be a man wearing suit. On the other hand, shorter person seems to be a woman with curly hair and wearing long dress. They look like lovers or married couple since they are so close to each other. In fact, it seems like the man is embracing his lover from the back. Also, it looks like they are looking at the scenery of bridge and sky. In the background, we can see the cloudy sky and the mountain. The mountain is so much in the distance that we can barely recognize it. In the center, there is a bridge which seems to get smaller as it goes on. Below it, there is a river full of fogs which look like white clouds. The fogs rolling in the river is covering some parts of the bridge. The cloudy sky and the fogs make the mood of this photograph mysterious and somewhat romantic.

 

The second picture depicts a wild river with a strong current. In the background, there is a magnificent waterfall which extend to a wide river. It's scary to see a tremendous amount of water falling from the top of a cliff. It is truly overwhelming and let us feel the greatness of nature. Also, the fog is formed in front of the waterfall and it definitely makes us feel cool as if we are actually sensing it. On the left of this picture there are some huge rocks which look very dangerous. In the upper left corner, there are roads, hills, and some trees. Beneath the waterfall, a cruise ship is floating on the river. It is full of people looking like tourists who came to see the waterfall. There seem to be so many people that it's hard to count all of them. We cannot see their faces but we can guess that they are excited and amazed.

 

Both photographs depict people and landscapes. The first one shows exactly two people while there are countless number of people in the other one. Also, the moods that each landscape gives is different. In the first photograph, thick fog, deep sky, and clouds create soft, mysterious, and calm atmosphere. The foggy river and cloudy sky are in a good harmony together and the couple standing close together makes the mood more romantic. On the other hand, the second picture shows more active and dramatic mood. The water falling from the cliff and the river waving harshly are full of activeness and thrill. Also, this picture gives exciting but dangerous atmosphere because the people in a ship may be excited to see the great waterfall but there's danger that they may be swept away in the rapids.

 

In conclusion, the first picture of a bridge and the second picture of a waterfall display different moods by capturing particular landscapes and individuals. In the first photograph, the mood is calm and mysterious with misty background. The grandeur of nature gives cool and dynamic atmosphere in the second photograph. The nature and human in these pictures are represented in a certain way to create special moods and give the viewer great impressions.

Seung Ah Lee/ Reaction Essay 2/ Thur 34

Lives Seen through the Lenses of Camera

      Photography is a wonderful form of art. I am often amazed by what camera lenses can do thinking about the pictures they produce. Especially in pictures of nature, I cannot help but wonder how difficult it must have been to capture the very moment. It is not an easy job for a photographer to express feelings with the subjects that are not human. The two pictures here draw the viewers' attention, both delivering different moods in a vivid manner. One is "An Old Couple Looking toward the Bridge" and the other one is "A Ship toward the Waterfall."

      First aspect of I would like to discuss is the fog. When you give a quick look at the pictures, you can probably see foggy background fairly easily. It takes up a great part of the whole picture. In both photographs, a wet fog seems to be distracting because it is covering the main subjects. It creates an atmosphere of obscure and blurry scene. If you take a close to into the photographs, you can tell the difference in fog. In "An Old Couple Looking toward the Bridge," the fog over the wise river is thick and spread widely all over the surface of the river. On the other hand, in "A Ship toward the Waterfall," spray rose up from the water fall. While the fog on the left photograph is calm and still, that on the right photograph seem tough and scattered sporadically. The water spray created by the fierce waterfall in the right picture creates overwhelming and threatening mood. Unlike the furious one there, a wet fog in the left photograph creates tranquil and settled setting for a couple to enjoy the beautiful view. Although the two photographs both have a fog, its effects in them are contrasting.

      Another feature I compare between the two is the main subject. In "An Old Couple Looking toward the Bridge," the huge bridge over the river and a couple seem to the main focus. Considering the pose, body shape, and clothing, the couple looks like they are over 40 or 50. The man is giving a back hug to the woman. It looks like the woman is gently covering the man's hands around her waist. Their bodies that are facing to the same direction lead our eyes toward the big bridge that are crossing horizontally through the photograph. Cloudy sky and a long path through the bridge imply the difficulties in life. Yet, when together like the couple in the photograph, everything will be alright and difficulties can be overcome. In "A Ship toward the Waterfall," in contrast, a huge ship filled with thousands of people is heading toward the waterfall. By the size, the ship is incomparable to the waterfall. Here, we can feel the overwhelming natural scenery. Even if there are a huge number of people boarded together, there is no way they can fight against the nature. In a ferocious water wave, however, the ship is still sailing rigorously as opposed to the possible threat. The picture represents a tough life in that people have to go through a lot of unexpected obstacles in life as if the journey of sailing here.

      Two photographs- "An Old Couple Looking toward the Bridge" and "A Ship toward the Waterfall" where a wet fog is commonly captured display different moods in their own styles. The former one gives an impression of calm and settled life of a couple with no worries whereas the latter depicts how people, in front of the nature is weak creatures. The nature and human beings are harmonized in distinctive ways to create certain moods and impress the viewers through the lenses of camera.