Friday, 13 December 2013

Connecting Essay One - Robert Mapplethorpe


 Robert Mapplethorpe 'Self portrait 1975'

Robert Mapplethorpe generally created photos where the model was not very obviously posed and the models personality could be seen through the photograph. This photo shows part of a person and is in black and white which is different to his normal photos. This photo is taken up by mostly background and the subject of the picture is not central and therefore is not the main focus of the picture. The photo would make the audience wonder why only part of the body is in the photograph and would make them question the main focus point of the photo. Because the photo is all quite a dull colour this emphasises the shadows and dark points in the photograph. The skin is darker than the background creating contrast and emphasising the shape of the body.


This photo is showing the contrast between the background and the model. The pale hand and face contrasts against the dark colours of the brick wall making it stand out. Only part of the model is shown so the photo also shows contrasts with the thought of someone being there and not. This photo uses a dark background in order for the shape of the hand and shape of the body and face to be prominent. Because the background is busy rather than plain, the model is not central and the photo is mostly background this would make the audience wonder whether the model or the background is the main focus.

These two photographs connect firstly due to the unknown focus points within the photo due to the excess of background and the model that is not central. They both also only show part of a body as appose to a full body making a questioning point for the audience. They both show contrast between the background and the shape of the hand and the arm and both show the detail of them through this contrast.

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