Color Picture Assignment

Image by Billy Rood

This image by Billy Rood grabbed my attention for many different reasons. Initially because I have been to this place; a really large beautiful old church that has apparently been the backdrop for countless movies and like Billy's photo countless photo-shoots. The quality of light in this image is another reason I was drawn to it; the colors coming through the window are a gradation of yellows, oranges and purples adding a sense of nostalgia to this image. The nostalgia comes from the almost amber tones that seem to encompass a majority of this image, reminding me personally of sepia toned prints of families and events from long ago. The fact that the women in this image is almost silhouetted gives a sense of mystery, or of a ghostly figure which contradicts as well as amplifies the nostalgic quality to Billy's image.  The contradiction lies in the colors that are depicted in this image compared to the figure and her loss of detail, and lowering head stare. Because while yellow and amber tones convey age to a photo, those colors coupled with purple can also explain the moods of happiness or a playful nature.Happiness and playfulness are two moods that I don't quite get from this image however, because the women seems to be standing in a quiet, somewhat scarey stance; my mind wonders to the other option of a ghost like aspect being depicted. The overall quality and tone of the light rushing in through the window's in Rood's photo I believe is subject to the viewers take on why exactly the women in the photo is there, in this dirty room with a lonely looking couch. Had the light coming through the two large sets of windows had a cooler cast I believe the question of whats going on in this photo wouldn't be so hard to comprehend. Not only do the contradictions between a women and the dirt that is surrounding her add depth to this image, but the subject matter verses the light plays a huge role in the message the image conveys; which is why the light is very important to not only this image but every photograph. The coloring can explain to the viewers what he or she should be getting out of the image, or like this photo can prove to be even more of a mystery; which in-turn could be the point all along.