“Trailer Camp Children, Richmond, California.” Ansel Easton Adams
The main part of what makes this composition so successful is the lighting shining on each of the children’s faces (curiosity/ intrigued emotions are shown by each child). One could argue the lighting draws the eye of the viewer to the gaze of the people within the image. Due to the fact that this piece is in black and white, the brighter whites (light) is what stands out in this picture.
The brightest of colors are shown across the children’s faces as well as their eyes. The child staring straight into the eyes of the viewer aids as a starting point to look across all bright areas in the photograph. One can assume these children are in a dark area as there is only natural light present coming from the left of the image.
The light also aids to highlight the expressions on the children’s faces. As a composition as a whole the facial expressions, space between the children, and light shown on each child makes it successful into tying everything in together.
Adams, Ansel Easton. “Trailer Camp Children, Richmond, California.” Metmuseum.org, Metmuseum, 1940, printed 1974, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/262589.
Good description of light highlighting faces. What expressions do you see?