Motion & Sequence Project Critique

Felicia Critiquing Nathalie

1. The photo uses blur motion to show the movement of the cue stick that leads to the ball and can eventually be followed to the ball in the pocket. The first photo shows sort of the "before" shot. Nothing was happening in the first photo, it is just a still life of the balls before there is any action. Then the second photo shows what happens next, and includes the introduction of the cue stick. By using a slower shutter speed, we can not only see the cue stick hitting the ball, but we can follow the motion of the ball all the way to the pocket. The background wall adds some other elements of visual interest so we're not just starting at a large, flat blue field. However, to bring some of the attention back to the action, she might have used a slightly larger aperture (smaller aperture number) to blur out some of that detail so we are more focused on what's happening on the table. The photos both use an interesting perspective and you can tell she got down to the level of the table so you can really place yourself in the environment. By using the same angle in both photos you can clearly see the sequence of events and view the pair of photos asa before and after shots.

2. These photos are a great use of stop motion. The high shutter speed allowed her to freeze the child in mid air right before he belly flops. The lines in the top left corner converge at the awnings and help lead your eye in the direction of the movement. The rule of thirds is followed by the boy, who is the main subject matter, being placed on the left dividing line. The photo is still balanced though by the visual weight added by the overhangs. The first photo almost as a distorted point of view to it, because it looks like the boy is a giant that's going to squish the small figures on the side of the pool. The second photo shows a great moment, just after he has impacted the water and you can almost hear the splash. I think without the context of what just happened, this photo would lose it's meaning and not be as strong. I would have maybe cut off the right edge of the second photo to eliminate the extra people that aren't seen in the first one.The only other thing I would have liked to see in this sequence is maybe a third photo, after he resurfaces, that shows his reaction and the pain on his face.

3.  This photo shows a great moment frozen in time. Again, using stop motion with a high shutter speed, she was able to capture the boys jumping into the pool. You can even see the muscle tension in the boy's back and arms. I love the expression of the boy's face in both photos. Strong horizontal lines cut the frame. The reflection on the cement adds an extra element that I wish we could see more of. I think taking the photo a little bit lower would have allowed us to see more of that reflection, while also cutting down on some of the empty blue sky at the top. The first photo fills more of the frame with action, because they are standing on higher ground. I think maybe having some more of the information on the bottom visible on the second photo would balance the fact that you can't see as much of the figures.

Overall, these photos were very interesting and captured some great moments, while still utilizing compositional elements! :)