Sophie Meadowcroft - Kendall Art Gallery Critique

This photograph immediately caught my eye. The subject, who appears to be a young adult woman, takes a sparkler and waves it around as the shutter speed was set to be delayed in order to capture the entire image. The light from the sparkler is captured and streamed into one fluid movement; the same effect would be much more difficult to portray had the shutter speed setting been faster. By using it in this setting, the light is captured and portrayed in a unique way. The strengths of the photo include how the light was captured in order to show light in a more fluid movement and how it is shown in one streak. The photo also captures the movement even in the how the sparkler burns; the photo captures the showery light that the sparklers create - like the firework effect of it. However, a weakness of the photo could be how the subject is right in the center and how there is a concentration of light in just the center. There could have been more interest in the photo had the placement of the subject been shifted off onto one side – this would then follow the rule of thirds. The light could have also been portrayed in a different shape to create even more movement within the photo. The meaning of the photo is to show carefree and enjoyable times in life. Overall, the photo evokes a sense of fun, summer memories of amusement and late night adventures in a distinctive way.