LARRY FINK : PRIMAL EMPATHY
Concepts/ Themes in Work: Coming of Age, Duality, Sideways Glances, Demonstration, Illumination, Empathy
"Many photographers photograph so they can make a picture. They’re attracted to the structural nature of the image and the kind of hunt involved in picture-making. But for me, photography has always been a tool rather than an end in itself, a way of attempting to understand what it means to feel kinship with another- what, I think, could be called empathy". - Larry Fink
Written Reflection:
What theme did you explore in your series?
Coming of Age, Duality, Sideways Glances, Demonstration, Illumination, Empathy….
Other: emotions, empathy with nature
How do your photographs show this theme? (Explain by describing at least 2 photos)
Select one of your photos and describe the composition (distance, point of view) and visual movement of the work.
Select one of the following quotes by Larry Fink and explain how it relates to your series or one of your photos.
What does it look like to feel?
I think that my most successful pictures encapsulate a story within one frame that works on many different levels. p12
When I’m photographing, I’m watching and reacting to patterns and rhythms coming together. I am also intensely aware of the principles of music when photographing. P16
The difference between a good photograph and a great photograph is the difference between here and there. One inch this way or that way determines whether you’re going to put a pole through somebody’s head or whether their head is going to contribute to a circular synergy with other things in the frame. P 44
Many photographers photograph so they can make a picture. They’re attracted to the structural nature of the image and the kind of hunt involved in picture-making. But for me, photography has always been a tool rather than an end in itself, a way of attempting to understand what it means to feel kinship with another- what, I think, could be called empathy. P58
We are all ugly, we are all beautiful. To recognize the ugliness and the beauty in others, you must first accept those qualities in yourself. As an exercise in empathy and photography, go out into the world and try to photograph a whole palette of different human emotions and breadth of experience. P65
What does it look like to feel?
I think that my most successful pictures encapsulate a story within one frame that works on many different levels. p12
When I’m photographing, I’m watching and reacting to patterns and rhythms coming together. I am also intensely aware of the principles of music when photographing. P16
The difference between a good photograph and a great photograph is the difference between here and there. One inch this way or that way determines whether you’re going to put a pole through somebody’s head or whether their head is going to contribute to a circular synergy with other things in the frame. P 44
Many photographers photograph so they can make a picture. They’re attracted to the structural nature of the image and the kind of hunt involved in picture-making. But for me, photography has always been a tool rather than an end in itself, a way of attempting to understand what it means to feel kinship with another- what, I think, could be called empathy. P58
We are all ugly, we are all beautiful. To recognize the ugliness and the beauty in others, you must first accept those qualities in yourself. As an exercise in empathy and photography, go out into the world and try to photograph a whole palette of different human emotions and breadth of experience. P65
Larry Fink Photo Analysis
Technical Aspects of Photograph
Describe the lighting in the photo:
Where is the light coming from, and how does it fall on the subject of the photo?
Contrast – Does the photo have both highlights (white whites) and shadows (black blacks)?
Exposure- Is the photo over or under-exposed? (too dark or light)
Is the photograph in focus
Has the photographer employed the shutter speed or depth of field to create special effects in the photo? Describe.
Composition
What camera angle was used? (point of view)
Is the photograph (symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial) balanced?
Does this photo meet the guidelines of the Rule of Thirds?
Is there a clear focal point or center of interest? (no distracting backgrounds, the subject of the photo is evident)
Is the photograph horizontal or vertical? Is it effective in this direction, or would it be better the opposite way?
Has the photographer visually framed the photo or created a sense of depth with foreground, middleground and background?
Describe any pattern, texture, repetition, positive or negative space.
Is the photograph composed to effectively lead your eye through the work? (Are there any leading lines in the piece?)
Map the movement of the photograph..
Artistic Qualities/ Meaning
Describe the subject of the photo: what is happening in the image? or, what story does the image tell?
What mood or impact does this photograph have?
What do you think Larry Fink is conveying in the photo? Or, what statement is he making through the photograph?
Technical Aspects of Photograph
Describe the lighting in the photo:
Where is the light coming from, and how does it fall on the subject of the photo?
Contrast – Does the photo have both highlights (white whites) and shadows (black blacks)?
Exposure- Is the photo over or under-exposed? (too dark or light)
Is the photograph in focus
Has the photographer employed the shutter speed or depth of field to create special effects in the photo? Describe.
Composition
What camera angle was used? (point of view)
Is the photograph (symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial) balanced?
Does this photo meet the guidelines of the Rule of Thirds?
Is there a clear focal point or center of interest? (no distracting backgrounds, the subject of the photo is evident)
Is the photograph horizontal or vertical? Is it effective in this direction, or would it be better the opposite way?
Has the photographer visually framed the photo or created a sense of depth with foreground, middleground and background?
Describe any pattern, texture, repetition, positive or negative space.
Is the photograph composed to effectively lead your eye through the work? (Are there any leading lines in the piece?)
Map the movement of the photograph..
Artistic Qualities/ Meaning
Describe the subject of the photo: what is happening in the image? or, what story does the image tell?
What mood or impact does this photograph have?
What do you think Larry Fink is conveying in the photo? Or, what statement is he making through the photograph?