FOCAL POINT

FOCAL POINT DEFINITION: The focal point is what you as the viewer sees first, it is the main point of interest. In this photograph by John Hedgecoe your eye goes straight to the Henry Moore's hands and his face. Even though this photograph is black and white Henry stands out against the dull background. By having a focal point engages the viewer.

FACTUAL: This picture is by John Hedgecoe, an award-winning British photographer who is the author of over 30 books. He is a photographer who has taken many black and white photographs and established the photography department in 1965 at The Royal College of Art. Hedgecoe has taken pictures of other people such as the Queen, a photograph which would have been an honour to take.

The CONTEXT: This photograph is of the famous sculptor Henry Moore with his hands stretched out in front of him. This is representing what he does for a living. His hands which he used for making sculptures create a natural frame for his head, therefore making it more noticeable. This photographs fits in well with John Hedgecoe's theme because most of them are black and white and this may be because he was born in 1932 and a black and white film camera would be the only thing that he had. This also fits in well with his other pictures because he has taken many pictures of famous people.

TECHNICAL: I think this photograph was taken in a studio because of the plain background with a black and white film Camera. There is a dark shadow that outlines Henry and makes him stand out from the rest of the photograph which makes him the focal point. I think to get this effect specific lighting was used to create the shadow. This photograph does not follow the rule of thirds but by putting Moore in the centre creates an interesting picture.

AESTHETICS: The eye goes straight to Henry and I like this picture a lot because his hands create a frame and I think it is really interesting and different to any other frames. And I love the fact that his hands are the main attraction because that is the element in the picture that represents his job. I like the depth of field in this picture because it is different to any other photographs with that aspect I have seen. Henry is using his hands to create the depth of field, I think it creates a very effective image.

EXAMPLE:

This picture has no focal point because your eye does not go to a certain point. Your eyes go to the blue and white stripes, but they do not go to a certain one. If there was a bird flying above the sea or a boat on the sea then that would give this picture a focal point.


 


But in this photograph there is a focal point. The half of the sun which is reflected in the water appears as a full sun. This photograph follows the rule of thirds, but if the sun was anywhere in this picture I think it would still be the main attraction as it is brighter than the other objects. And the reflections creates an amazing photograph which I like very much.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/43169266@N03/6398651445/

http://funlava.com/sunset-pictures/

http://www1.topfoto.co.uk/gallery/JohnHedgecoePortraits/ppages/ppage20.htm