Photo Connotatons Exercise

Loneliness

We used a high angled wide shot in this photo for multiple purposes. The first reason we used this is to show the vulnerability and weakness of a person by themselves. The second was to show the area surrounding the subject. We decided that the subject should be sat in the middle of the shot this way so that there would be space around him. While the photo has the denotation that he is alone, the space has connotations that he is either waiting for someone to arrive or has been sitting with people who then left.  This is also why he is looking out of the shot. However, this shot would have been better had it been a wider shot to create a larger area surrounding the subject.

Purity

The extreme close up in this photo was to put emphasis on the contrast between the white skin and the blue of the iris. We overexposed the photo to essentially burn away any colour in the skin so it became almost pure white allowing the blue to stand out. Both blue and white are often used in costumes on stage or within a shot in film to give connotations of innocence and purity. The slight canted angle in this photo allowed us to show more of the eye whilst also keeping as much shadow off the eye as possible. 

Poverty 

A high angle in this photo creates a sense of the viewer looking down at the subject. This makes the subject seem less important, which is often how homeless or people living in poverty are viewed in society. It is also under exposed to make the image darker to connote how society often turns a blind eye to those who are worse off than everyone else. The under exposure also shows how those living in poverty see the world as a darker place than those who don't, because of the fear and uncertainty that life gives them. This slightly canted angle is to disorientate the viewer, while also showing the subjects weakness. This is also showed by the way he is avoiding looking at the camera as if he doesn't want to be noticed because he is so used to being ignored. 

Love

We used a straight on camera angle to create a sense of normality. By having the blurring in the background of this photo, the two hands were better in focus and clearly the subject of the photo. The close up of these hands has several connotations. Holding hands traditionally shows intimacy and comfort, both things one should expect in a loving relationship. However, at a closer look it seems that the hands are loosely gripping each other, and the one to the left appears to be either leading the right or pulling away from it. This was to make the viewer wonder if the hands really represent romantic love, or if it is unrequited or fading. 

Danger

For this photo, we decided to use the background to create connotations of danger. We decided the subject should be standing in front of a red background, traditionally used to show danger, but we also decided he should be standing at the edge of the red. The contrast between the red and the regular background show that he has turned away from a normal society and become dangerous. The use of medium shot shows the subject hunched over and leaning towards the red, in a threatening stance. In hindsight, this photo would have been better were the subject looking towards the camera defiantly to make the viewer uneasy of his presence.