This picture was featured in National Geographic in the early 90s. The picture shows the remains of a satellite after there was an invasion on Iraq. When one first looks at the picture they see these vibrant colors with a gorgeous sunset in the background but after reading the description the viewer has to take a second look at the picture to reanalyze it. The photo conveys an array of different techniques that was mentioned in Krause’s Photo Idea Index. The photographer draws you in with an assortment of colors, the rule of thirds, and exposure.
The first thing that draws one into the photo is the glowing hot pink satellite in the foreground of the picture. This unique and fascinating color is this first thing the viewer picks up. This is how the photographer draws ones attention to the picture, then from there he takes color to a new level. By looking to the right and in the background one can observe upon the stunning sun-set that is rarely scene. By noticing this color in the background, one then recognizes the open land in the background to reinforce the idea that this is what is left of the beautiful land.
The next concept that is demonstrated in this picture is the rule of thirds. The main idea with the rule of thirds is that the main subject shouldn’t be in the center and also shouldn’t take up just one of the three parts that this shot is divided into. With this the main focus of the piece is the satellite basically filing up one panel but also overflowing into the second panel, which leads the viewer to explore the second panel and find what’s filling out the background. In the second panel you notice all the stars that are in the frame, which also overflows into the third panel where the viewer notices the sunset. The rule of three’s works perfectly here because there is a main subject in each panel, but each perfectly leads the viewer to the next to make up a perfect picture.
The last concept is the exposure that the photographer uses to blur the stars and whatever else is in the sky to make a unique design. The exposure in this photograph takes up most of the picture to make the photo more intricate and keep the viewer wondering. When I first looked at the picture I couldn’t figure out if the effect was photo shop or just a long exposure. But the exposure in this photo makes the viewer look at stars in a different way. Instead of having regular stars, they are blurred which also draws the viewer’s attention to all the stars in the sky. This also adds a beautiful and artistic sense to the photograph because not that many people have seen that many stars before.
The most important thing to remember about this photograph is that a war literally had just occurred and devastated the land. Since the satellite is ruined and there really is nothing in the background, a black and white photo of this picture would have demonstrated the desolate and depressed land. But with the color, the rule of thirds and the long exposure there is a sense that although this land has just seen war and destruction, you can’t kill the beauty from it.
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