Writing Assignment #1

1. The photographer’s name is Lou Stoumen.  The book is called “Ordinary Miracles: The Photography of Lou Stoumen” and was published in 1981.

2. “Fantasy Car,” Sausalito 1977, pg 64

• all the things just look like junk, but someone put them altogether on a car to create something interesting and unique
• I love the shoe soles on the side of the car, it looks so cool.  The buttons right above them add different textures
• The fact that there is a “person” in the car makes this photo even better.  It looks like there is someone driving, like they are just going right past you, but it’s just a cardboard cutout.

3. “Times Square in the Rain,” pg 23

• I love the bird’s eye view of this photo, it gives a different perspective of the city
• the rain gives the photo an interesting effect, it makes it look like the cars and buildings are floating
• The buildings are the biggest part of the photograph, but it’s what’s on the ground in the spaces between the buildings that makes this photo interesting and brings your eye all around

4. I chose this book because I enjoyed the photos while just skimming through the book.  My sister took this class and had a similar assignment, and she recommended the book to me.  I’m glad she did, I liked several of the photos in this book.  It was difficult to pick just two to talk about.

5. Three strengths of Lou Stoumen:

• Lou Stoumen is very good at capturing candid moments.  Many of the photos in this book are not people posing for his camera, they are random shots in places he has been.
• Even though all the photos are black and white, they are still as interesting and as expressive as a photo in color
• I like the variety of the subjects of his photos.  There are many of people, but also several of places he’s been or objects he sees.

6. What makes a good photograph?

• different lighting
• different views of objects, not just straight on
• color vs black and white, the color (or lack thereof) of the photo can define the mood of it
• candid vs posed, sometimes candid photos tell more of a story than a posed photo