Blog Exercise 3 - Analyzing a Picture

This is a photograph by Sharad Haksar who is one of India’s leading photographers. He has won several international awards for his work and was even named one of the top 200 photographers by Luezar Archive.

Let’s go through the formal elements of this photograph to understand the photographer’s point of view then.

In terms of the light source, it looks to be from a natural source i.e. sun~ since it’s an outdoor shot, but it is either diffused by the clouds or might still be early or later in the day as the light is not harsh and coming from the left to the right of the wall. Thus the shot is neither overly bright nor dark and shadows are not hard hitting. Just natural.

The texture is shown through the ground and dirt and is not noticed immediately. It does reflect a sort untidiness and might suggest that is taken from a rural area or a kampong area, making the image more real.

The main focus of the picture is both the Nike logo as it is red in colour as compared to the dull brown or white colours around it, with the catchphrase “Just Do It”, and of the boy who is top naked and seemingly peeing on the wall whilst the puppy watch on. The image is rather simple with no complications in the background, so that the audience can focus on what exactly the photographer is trying to convey which are the subjects in question. The colour of the logo also reflects a certain dynamic feel to the brand, and with the boy peeing on the wall it just gives the audience an even stronger feel or reaction towards the brand.

Angle of view is roughly at eye level from the right side to the left of the image which shows the full picture of what is happening.

Overall, what the photographer is trying to convey and how the audience will see it exactly is the irony of the brand’s catchphrase “Just do it” with the boy doing exactly what he feels like doing at that moment. And the greatest irony of all is that he is doing it with no apparels or shoes (literally) that has anything to do with Nike. It is pretty direct to the point with the use of the simple background which portrays a rather run down area where probably the people there are not able to afford such a brand as well.

Another example which is also from his work where a simple background works well in conveying a message that is direct to the point:

It’s like another irony where it is saying yes, even Superman needs a wardrobe of clothes to change his outfits for his daily outings/work and for disguise despite his well-recognized spandex costume. =)

Cheers!