DETAILS and GLIMPSES

Photographs Copyright © 2002 The American Photography Museum, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The works that are displayed in the following unit are from an exhibition of photographs titled details and glimpses, that were taken by Shotaro Shimomura who was a chairman of the Daimaru corporation during the 1930 _ 1935 period. These works were taken as "holiday snaps" In 1935 as Shotaro toured the world. The works of Shotaro Shimomura  "combine the elements of Pictorialist and modernist styles". Introductory notes on Shotaro Shimomura can be found at An Eye for the World.

In this exercise you are to look at the relationships between natural and man made forms that Shotaro has explored in his works. The medium of photography is a non descriminating tool that truthfuly records what it views. The final work can be influenced by the photographer who is able to manipulate the elements either at the point of taking the shot or developing the shot.

In the case of natural and man made forms the photographer may use either in order to influence the other and create different outcomes in the final print. Each form carries its own qualities,characteristics, and contexts. When placed in juxtoposition to each other, each form exerts an influence that may change the qualities and context of either form.

Question one  Look through the site An Eye for the World. Which photograph best explores the relationship between natural and man made forms. How has the work been divided between Natural and Manmade forms? At what point do the two meet? How does each form affect the other?

 Question two    Look through the site An Eye for the World and find a work that best displays an interaction between man and architecture.  Describe the composition, what is the underlying composition shape? Where is the focal point? How has the distribution of shadows created a three dimensional quality in the work? How does the architecture and lighting create mood?

Additional research  
 As additional research you are to enter a museum from the CAP site in order to order to answer the following question.

Take a tour through any other exhibitions of photographic works that you will find in the directory. Find an exhibition that contains images  of natural and manmade forms together in single shots. Give the name of the institution. Record the address of the institution. Give the title of the display that you are looking at within the institution. You are to locate a print that you feel carries a strong empathy between natural and manmade forms. Save and print a copy of the print you have chosen. Record the title of the print that you have chosen.

(Points to look at in additional research). Do the forms have a similar mood? Similar shapes? Similar colour? Do they complement each other? Length of research one hundred and fifty words.