Image 8

What time period, decade or year do you think this photograph was created in? What visual cues support your choice?

The image looks fairly modern due to the styling of the room so I would say between 2005-2015 as the sofas especially look extremely modern. Although no electrical devices are shown which are typical for a modern living room, I don’t feel this styling would fit any other time period.

Where in the world was this photograph taken? Again, please detail your reasons for asserting your choice.

I’m unsure about where this image could’ve been taken as this styling could appear in many middle class homes across the world. I believe perhaps the modern styling could suggest the USA such as Los Angles or New York but there are no visual cues that suggest this.

In a short paragraph, how would you describe the key visual elements of the photograph? What is contained within the frame?

This image appears to capture everyday life as shown with the living room yet the two males boxing don’t fit into the image and look very staged. Unlike most photography where the image is supported to be constructed to look as real as possible, the contrast within the frame suggests the artificiality is perhaps deliberate. On the other hand, it could suggest a contrast between the nature of the living room which looks very clean and polished in contrast to the violence of boxing with completely different associations. The flowers stand out to me which also contrast against the associations of boxing as the flower correlates with the idea of life whereas the violence portrayed within boxing is more associated with death and loss.

How is/are the human subject(s) of the photograph engaging with the camera/photographer?

The subjects of the image take no notice of the photographer almost as if they’ve been captured in their natural environment which is unusual due to the setting which again suggests the question if this has been staged deliberately to look out of place. It doesn’t seem the subjects are the main central focus of the frame as they are positioned to the side slightly far back suggesting that it is both the subjects and the environment the viewer must acknowledge equally.

What, if any directions do you think the photographer may have given to the subject(s) of the photograph?

If the image has been deliberately staged which I feel may be the case, I believe the photographer may have asked the subjects to act as if they’re boxing in a dramatic fashion. It does not seem as if they are boxing properly from the positioning of the subjects within the image however this may have not been the case.

What do you believe the photographer wants, you, the viewer to take from the image?

I believe the photographer wants the viewer to acknowledge the contrast between the setting and the subjects and how they look out of place. I also believe the photographer wants the awareness of the staged elements of the photograph as well as the contrast between violence and the clean and polished living room.