Photographic Visual Analysis Task
Sienna Thurlow-Cole
Anne Zahalka
The sunbather #1, 1989 (printed 1990)
Type of Print
Type c photograph (chromogenic colour print)
Description
The photograph pictures a sunbather lying presumably asleep on a rainbow towel, a novel laid across her face to help shield the sun from her eyes. Sun hat discarded to her left side and bag to her right. She is placed diagonally to the format of the photo and the photo has been cropped inwards to only see the sunbather and her possessions.
Impact / Mood
The photo gives off a relaxing vibe as it presents a woman lying peacefully on a beach towel. The impact isn't to hard more so soft and quiet as if to tell the viewer to be quite so to not disturb the sunbather.
Elements
The contrast in this image is quite great as the artist has used a large colour palette which include bright vibrant colours and more subtle lighter ones for the sand. The is quite obviously streaming in from above as the sun beats down on the sunbather, forcing her to cover her face with her arm, away from the rays of sun. The shape is also unique as the image has been taken with the subject diagonally out of frame and cropped so only herself and her possessions are seen.
Principles
Cropping has been used as a major tool in this particular image, it has been cropped so the image only contains the sunbather and her possessions, including a hat and bag along with a book placed across her face and the towel she lies on. The vantage point of the image is of a Birdseye view as the photographer has obvious had to be above the sunbather in order to capture the image, however the sun must have been directly above so the shadows of the photographer didn't cast onto the subject.
Relevant Information
The social significance of the image is that for many years people have been coming down to Bondi beach to relax for a few hours. Sunbathing has also been a huge part of Australian culture for many years as it was always envied of people with darker tanned skin then pale skiing. This photograph holds a fair amount of historical significance as it is key to how Australians have been acting at the beach in summer.
What's Interesting
Personally I find the image interesting as it somewhat tells you a story, the sunbather lies alone on the sand with no thoughts in the world other than to relax and have an enjoyable time. It is visually appealing as it uses a wide range of colours for the towel whilst still leaving the main subject to rest.
Cole classics, 1998 (printed 2002)
Type c photograph (chromogenic colour print)
Description
The photograph pictures a large group of swimmers all sporting different coloured suits and caps as they wait for the Cole Classic to begin. Each racer is united in participation at the event as seen in the image. Them weather seems to be perfect with the sun out and not a single cloud in the sky.
Impact / Mood
The mood is somewhat tense as everyone awaits the events beginning, however it also relaxed as some of the participants are seen mingling with others. The serious competitors are likely to be tense as they seek only for victory rather than a good cause.
Elements
This image also uses a large colour palette as the subjects are all sporting varying coloured swimsuits. This brings contrast in to the image as the colours are all jam packed together in such a small space. The shadows in the image peak out towards the right of the picture as the sun is quite obviously coming from the left of the photo symbolising mid morning. The tone of the image is both quiet and loud as the colours seen on the swimsuits help to set the image in a serious scenario.
Principles
Depth of field has been used quite efficiently as the image holds hundreds of people all clumped together in a large group awaiting the beginning of the Cole classic hosted at Bondi beach (now at Manly). The depth of field is seen through all the bodies of the participants as their different coloured swimsuits allow you to see through numerous lines of people. The photograph format is horizontal in hopes to include as many members of the event as possible as well as their viewpoint of the ocean in front of them.
Relevant Information
The social significance of the photograph is that it has been captured prior to the start of the Cole classic, an event held at Bondi beach (now at Manly) which is an open water swimming event. The photo can be seen to have been used for marketing purposes to help boost the number of participants in the race. The image itself has historical significance as the the event is held annually and is considered to be one of the longest running ocean swims.
What's Interesting
Personally the image is interesting as it shows the eagerness there is to participate in such a large renowned event. It is also visually pleasing as the day is perfect so to speak, sun out with no clouds and clear blue water awaiting the swimmers entry. The colours of the swimsuits contrast the relaxed beach and assist to make image 'loud' and abuzz with people.
Similarities
Differences
The image shows a single subject lying alone on a towel enjoying the sun as they rest peacefully whilst they sunbath, the image is cropped to only contain that one individual and her belongings.
Cole classics
The image shows hundreds of people all together awaiting the beginning of the annual swim race, each person is has been grouped in the people participating in the race together in unison alongside each other.