thomasmccartney art in general, design, value, form, lighting

What are they trying to say?

As a photographer, I am always looking for inspiration. I love to travel to art museums and check out the paintings and sculptures. I analyze the lighting, the form, and have curiosity why the artist chose to compose the artwork the way they did.

Dark and light, high key and low key.

Why does the artist highlight certain things and put other details I the shadows?

What are they trying to tell us?

Recently I was in Chicago visiting the great photographer Sandro at his studio for several days. I flew in on Monday morning and had the afternoon to explore. So with my $10 rail pass in hand, I headed downtown to the Art Institute Chicago. Below are a couple of pieces and my notes….

What are your thoughts about these?

Peace and War: The lighting along with the circle formed by their arms and faces bring focus to the image. Note how delicate her hands are. Against the sword. And the olive branch.
Peace and War: The lighting along with the circle formed by their arms and faces bring focus to the image. Note how delicate her hands are. Against the sword. And the olive branch.
Cupid and Psycke. Note how again how the lighting, the arms, and heads form a circle of focus. The sky and details of the room support a warmth, a resignation of the feeling the two have toward one another .
Cupid and Psycke. Note how again how the lighting, the arms, and heads form a circle of focus. The sky and details of the room support a warmth, a resignation of the feeling the two have toward one another .
The captive slave: A very powerful image. Very sad expression. With almost a welling if tears in the eyes, the focus of the light informed us of his emotion. The detail in the hands is amazing—resigned. Showing the body and dark surroundings gives us relevance.
The captive slave: A very powerful image. Very sad expression. With almost a welling if tears in the eyes, the focus of the light informed us of his emotion. The detail in the hands is amazing—resigned. Showing the body and dark surroundings gives us relevance.