Connecting Essay 3

In this image, the photographer used a technique to show the movement formal element. The technique the photographer used is called motion blur, in which the streaking of fast moving objects is shown in the image. This is done through putting the camera on a tripod so it is completely still, then, when an object moves, you can capture the streaks of light. In this image, the photographer used two iconic landmarks to exhibit the location of the photograph. By using a telephone box and a London bus, it is clear that the photograph was taken in London. This is key as it allows the audience to relate to the picture as they can see where it is set. The strongest formal element used is movement, as we can see the bus moving quickly along the road through the blurred image and opacity. The composition and angle of this image is strong in this image, as the telephone box is situated in front of the bus therefore it can be seen in its entirety. This is helpful as if it was taken on the other side of the road then you wouldn't have got the telephone box in the side of the photograph. I also think that the lighting and the time in which this photograph was taken plays a big part in the impact it has. It would not have been the same effect if it was light outside, as it wouldn't have had the bright coloured lights. 

Internet Image

In contrast, the following image is one that I took when I went to London. In this image, it is clear that I also used the technique of motion blurring, in order to capture the formal element movement. The use of the London Bus was a lot clearer in this image than in other ones which I took. I thought it would be better if I used a larger object, as appose to light streaks from cars. The reason I like this image so much is because I left it on a much longer timer than in others, therefore you still get the streaks of light from other cars that went past. I took this image at night, however, there was a lot of light pollution around where I took this image therefore it doesn't appear as dark. This is because I took the image outside Piccadilly Circus, in which the lights are so powerful that the sky doesn't appear black. The composition of this image was done so that we could see the background was still, this ensured that there was a clear contrast as to what the movement was.

Own Image

There is a connection between my image and the internet image through the use of the technique 'motion blur'. This technique occurs when the photographers places the camera on a tripod or any other steady fixture, and placing the camera into a longer shutter speed. This means that the moving objects are able to blur, cause light streaks if they're cars, and pursue the impression of it moving. The best way to do this, is to show the background which will remain still and in focus. I feel like both our images differ in a number of ways too, for example. The first image in which I found online shows off the London Telephone Box which is an iconic association that people would make with the city. This then sets off the location of the photograph and will allow people to relate it to the city. In my image, there is a strong presence of the colour red as it takes up most of the frame. However, other than the red bus, there is nothing which instigates that this is set in London. This is an approach which I would hope to make more clear if I was to go back and reenact this photograph.