Mateah Brown- Kendall Art Gallery

Kendall Art Gallery

In this photograph, the subject is sitting in the corner of room and consequentially, in the far right side of the image (observing the rule of thirds). In effect, the subject- a young adult woman- is hidden in the shadows, because the photograph has been underexposed, with emphasis on the light streaming through a widow above the subject. There is specific selective focus on the light breaking through the haziness of the shadows.  The lines of the door and the dark outline of the window pane's light which is streaming through, draws the eye to the subjects face. Her one hand is blocking the light from her eyes as she stares into the “looking room” of the image as her elbow rests on her raised knee. Her other arm is supporting her. The room itself is void of objects, emphasizing the negative space with only the neutral colors of the tan wall and the white door.

Strengths: The emotion is portrayed through the lighting- in particular the light her hand is blocking from her face. The graphic weight of this image is expressed through the rule of thirds and a frame within a frame (she is also in the frame of the doorway- or rather interrupting the edge of the frame of the door) and directs the viewer to focus on the subject in the corner. The contrast- or tension- between the light and the dark is arguably the strength of this image.

Weaknesses: The image would be increasingly powerful if the light source (the window) was also captured. It is difficult to see the subject’s facial expressions. Also there is one darker spot on the tan wall which draws your eye away from the subject and disrupts the negative space.

            This image captures the gravity and reality of the “darkness” in life: sitting in the shadows, overcome with the demands of life. I believe each person can relate to this image which seems to capture the individual aspects of times in our lives when we cannot see the light. However, there is a small stream of light calling out to give us hope. But all too often we put our hand up, covering the light as we close our eyes- being enveloped into our struggles. The negative space and neutral tones relates to the loneliness and “blandness” we feel when we have collapsed on the ground of our lives. This image matters because I believe it represents the struggles of the human condition.