Black & White

Project Photos cont.

Photo Re-Touch

   

                  Original Photo                                         Re-Touched Photo

Brian Ulrich Analysis

Toys R Us (2009).

This photo is part of Brian Ulrich's series called Dark Stores created in 2009. In this photo, there is obviously an abandoned building totally devoid of any type of identification. As the title tells us, it is in fact an abandoned Toys R Us. It is a photo taken during the day with snow on the ground. Skies are overcast which emphasizes the colors in the building. The Toys R Us itself is a brown brick building with color accents near the now boarded up windows. There is also a small bare tree in front of the store and a few tread marks in the snow. On the right side of the photo is a power line. Its fine lines lead the viewers eye to the building. The feeling of loneliness is clearly stated here and there might even be traces of terror or potential danger.

I feel that this photo's purpose is to serve as a reminder to the viewer. It reminds us of a number of ideas starting with nostalgia. Especially as a building that served a purpose so closely tied to childhood, this Toys R Us can bring viewers back to a time when they might frequent a toy store. It also reminds the viewers of economical decline in our country today. Ulrich has stated that this project of Dark Stores is a constant reminder of the now empty giants that were once supported by a stable economy. The fact that it is taken during the winter also symbolizes the end of life. In this case, it is the failure of a store. Even the tree that has grown from what must have once been a parking lot is dead. This signifies that there is no hope or life that can be supported in this photo.

Compared to the rest of Brian Ulrich's work, I feel that this is a great complementary photo. He tends to work with the idea of "contemporary consumer culture" and his work in the Dark Stores series is a nice twist on the topic. Instead of the spirit of shopping in its most honest form, he turns into the total opposite an explores what can only be described as the death contemporary consumer culture. I admire the fact that Ulrich has found a subject that stays constant in a good portion of his work. I enjoy seeing his new explorations of the subject that he keeps close to him.

Project Work

Writing Assignment 1

Brooklyn Bridge, showing painters on suspenders, October 7, 1914 © Eugene de Salignac


In this picture, there are painters suspended on what was then a fairly new Brooklyn Bridge. They are separated also equally on the grid of the suspenders. The image is black and white and I can see parts of the skyline in the background. It gives me the feeling of accomplishment, since the task at hand is clearly gigantic and they seem to be proud of their beautiful work. It makes me feel inspired, since these few painters could complete such a massive job only with technology that was available in 1914.



Hideaway, 2003 © Roger Ballen


This photograph contains objects such as wooden crates (one containing a child), shapes made from wire, a shoe and a white mouse. It seems to be mysterious and maybe even a bit eerie. The quality of the photo makes it feel as if it were taken one hundred years ago, but it has only been seven years. I feel sort of intrigued by the image and it makes me curious to know the story behind it.


Watering Hole © Amy Stein

This photo shows a girl in her backyard standing on a diving board looking over her fence to come face to face with a black bear. They are both standing upright and still. This photograph has feelings of humor and terror at the same time. It's funny to see the two figures in almost identical poses, but at the same time the viewers know the potential danger of a bear.

Semester Project Work