10/31/08
Edward Weston Original Photography
White Dune, 45SO

The texture in the sand dunes at the bottom of the picture is interesting. It shows where things have been and traveled - humans or animals. It adds to the shape and composition of the photograph and allows for more contrast in the photo. The lighting used was probably natural and he used it to his advantage. There is a good amount of contrast that draws the viewer in and keeps their interest in the center of the photograph where the darkest area is, essentially making the viewer look at the picture as a whole.
At first glance the image is calming, but if the viewer looks closer, the texture of the photograph has a sense of distress and the clouds in the sky warn that a storm is coming. The picture is a good representation of "the clam before the storm."
I like this photograph. The contrast holds my eye and I like the message it conveys and how the viewer doesn't really notice it unless they look closely. I want to shoot dunes too, so this image has helped me to know what I should look for for if/when I do that shoot.