MODERNISM

PAUL STRAND

-BOWLS 1917

I feel this image instantly conveys a sense of modernism with the subject, a simple compilation of kitchen bowls stripped down visually to expose the shape and form of what would usually be a bland uninteresting set of objects. Composition-wise it crops out edges and large portions of the subject, I feel this further emphasizes how the photographer wishes them to be viewed, as forms of shape and tone. The fact these objects are viewed as abstract shapes and shadow further are key signs of modernist work, and if the title of the image wasn't a signifier of what the photograph actually shows I feel the viewer would be left without any strong indication of what the picture actually features.
 Personally I enjoy how the line and curves of the image trail the eye up and down like a form of ladder, guiding the viewer around each section of the image and leading us into different areas of tone and shadow. The only space which I feel doesn't fit in with the rest of the photograph is the bottom right corner, which shows streaks of light and darkness in a more closer fashion than in the rest of the composition, although I do feel this works to the pictures advantage, displaying something slightly different to break the repetitive pattern of shape and form.