Shot Research - Magnum Photography

I have decided to research some shots by Magnum photographers, as this will assist me in composing shots when planning and filming my music video.

Stuart Franklin - Malaysia, Kepong Forest Reserve. Crown sheness in the 'kapur' tree (Dryobalanops aromatica), one of the dipterocarps that, as they mature in the forest, develop mutual avoidance. 1997.

I chose this image because it is very eye catching and beautiful. Franklin has clearly considered the angle and composition of this shot; the tree trunk in the foreground puts the whole picture into perspective. It is very interesting that something so natural can form their own shape based on their surroundings, in this way the forest could be seen as a piece of artwork in itself. The use of black and white allows the viewer to interpret the image in many different ways before they may realise that it is trees. 

Elliott Erwitt - USA. California. 1955

As soon as I saw at this picture I couldn't help but smile, it beautifully captures the love which the two people clearly share. The perspective creates the sense that we are seeing something private and special which encourages the audience to be inquisitive, as her facial expression makes us question what is going on between the couple. The background is out of focus but is actually a large proportion of the photo, this is eye catching because the image subverts the conventions of traditional photography in which the main feature is usually central. The textures in the background are interesting because even though it is black and white and out of focus, there is a clear difference between the land, sea and sky. This is probably my favourite image because it is so inspiring and beautiful.

Martine Franck - France. Hauts de Seine. Meudon. 1991.

The use of perspective means that the eye is guided across this picture as the stream of natural light through the middle of the photo leads us from the trees in the foreground, all the way back to the person and then even further to the distant grey patch. This patch at the very back of the image encourages the reader to question what it is, therefore creating opposing opinions and discussion. Although a lot of the image is quite dark because the trees in some ways overpower the rest of the image, the small person stands out because they contrast against the snow covered path, this draws the eye to the centre of the photo. One of the main things I love about this image is the beautiful, yet creepy branches of the trees which are defined in the foreground and fade to a blur in the background; this makes the audience feel as though they are there.

Bruce Davidson  - USA. Raleigh, North Carolina. 1965. Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus at J.S. Dorton Coliseums.

The use of light and shadows in this image is very eye catching. The background is black and quite empty so our gaze is immediately drawn to the woman and her shadow. I find the use of shadowing interesting because the shadow is never the exact same shape as the thing causing it, as this image shows the shadow is distorted, this is in some ways very beautiful because the mind can make many images out of the shadow. The spotlight highlights the sassy frivolity of the woman; we focus on her and only her, this is exactly what Davidson intended.