Category Archives: 1. The language of photography

Exercise: Elliott Erwitt

Leave a reply
The course notes ask us to look at Erwitt’s image New York City, USA (1974)  and make some notes about how the subject matter is placed within the frame.

Question: how has Erwitt structured this image?

  • the image is structured in thirds, both horizontally and vertically
  • there are also three subjects (two pairs of legs and the small dog)
  • the photographer has shot from a very low perspective, making the viewer think that they are on eye level with the small dog i.e. about 6” high
  • with the inclusion of the larger dog’s legs and careful cropping, Erwitt has deliberately created humour in the image.

Question: what do you think the image is ‘saying’?

The main focus of the image is on the small dog.   The direct stare of the dog asks the viewer to ‘look at me’ so maybe Erwitt is telling us to us not to overlook the smaller things in life; they are just as important as the larger things that are more obvious at first glance.   Erwitt could also be commenting on the relationship between dogs and humans (emphasised by the small dog wearing a hat) and the roles that dogs play in our lives, with the two dogs in this image having the roles of protector and companion/accessory respectively.

Of course there is the possibility that Erwitt could have just seen the image whilst out and about and taken it as a humorous shot without a purpose in mind.  However, from what I have seen of Erwitt’s work I think this is unlikely as his images, with or without dogs, appear to be designed to provoke commentary and discussion.

Question: how does the structure contribute to this meaning?

The eye moves across the page from left to right in a rhythm and comes to rest on the small dog.  In my view this image would not have been as successful had the small dog been placed to the left of the two pairs of legs as it would then not have been the focal point of the image.  The lighter background initially draws the viewer into the frame whilst the two pairs of legs and the lead of the small dog act as a visual barrier, forcing the viewer to stop and think, to consider what they see.

References:

Erwitt, E. (1974)  New York City, USA [online image] Beetles + Huxley.  Available from http://www.beetlesandhuxley.com/gallery/photojournalism/new-york-city-usa-1974.html  [accessed 05 March 2015]