Photographic Research and Inquiry

       I chose the photo "Lunch Break" from photographer Charles C. Ebbets for its clever use of compositional strategies. First of all, the piece can be said to have a horizontal frame due to its placement on the men on a horizontal ledge. The direction of the beam they are sitting is also horizontal but its slight tilt makes it appear as if it is going downward. There is also use of converging lines by the way that the buildings below are placed. The rope that can be seen in front of the men to the right also creates a converging line when placed on top of the beam. There is also a sense of asymmetrical balance that can be felt with the rope of the right side. Most of the objects in the frame are equally balanced with exception to the rope.
    The silhouettes of the men create shape by the boldness of their bodies in contrast to the cityscape below them. In a way, the photo shows an alternate point of view by making the men appear bigger than the buildings behind them. In reality, these men are miniature compared to the city but since the photo offers an extreme close up of them it appears that they are bigger. I enjoy this image because it takes a simple action such a taking an lunch break and expands it into something bigger while giving an intimate view of the men who lived during this time. The photo offers a look at the lifestyles of these men and shows their courage for completing construction at their height. Their nonchalant expressions also add character to the piece since they appear to be unaffected by their position in the sky.