Digital Photo- Ben Hurst

Ben Hurst

The photo that I picked to critique is by TJ Anzulewies. The title of this work is Southern Resource Triptych; it is a silver gelatin print. The print size appears to be a set of three 4”x6” images. Images are presented pretty far off of the traditional white matt as the border. They have a white matt outer border with a black matt center surrounding the images. There is also a border of white surrounding each print and a black border on the inside of the white, framing the image. The image itself is of a dumpsite showing what happens when we as Americans are finished with something. We throw it away. The images seem to be infrared but I am not certain.

However it also shows that there are resources that are valuable and can be found at these dumpsites. The cliché, on man’s trash is another ones treasure, as with most clichés holds quite a bit of truth. I have gone to dump sites a few times and each time I have gone I find at least one object that I say “how could someone throw this away?” Again if the image is infrared I am not sure if there is a reason behind it or if was just an aesthetic choice. The bright white shine in the trees seems to hold come sort of significance and kind of takes away from the subject if they do not.

The images have clean-cut frames formed twice inside the image plane, once on the back matt and then one more time for the over matt. Normally I believe that the use of so many borders is tacky and unappealing, however this image seems to use them effectively. The first image has and iconic subject when viewed by itself which then turns into a solid use of the thirds line when viewed as the whole triptych. The balance is held by the trash pile on the right side of the third image. Some improvements I would consider are to reprint and be more careful about the scratches on the images. I feel that the overall grays are a little too dark the contrast is good just a little less exposure for the image itself. There are some dust marks/ distracting small white pieces on the middle and last images. Other than that I give kudos.

This image was picked from among quite a large number so overall it has to be pretty good right? If the light factory coordinator gives it a thumbs up then I am not really going to be the one to shut it down. Good job to TJ.