Section 1: Photography
1) Give each photograph a caption different from the original
2) Describe the compositions of each photograph paying attention to the kinds of shots and camera angles, visual patterns, rhythms and symbolisms with which Water is expressed.
3) In short paragraphs analyze what the images on each sheet say about Water as element, social issues and its eco-critical values.
a. Twigs
2. The shot is a point of view shot. The camera angle is an eye level angel.
3. In this image, water is showcased in the form of purity. The photograph highlights nature or in other words the wilderness. From the first glance, the photo seemed a bit blurred to me. As if the twigs, or the small branches that first pop up were the whole point of the image. It felt like everything that came after the small branches is blurry and insignificant. But after looking instead of glancing, I realized that there’s so much more to the photo than it seemed. There’s a whole forest filled with trees surrounding the water, a forest that most probably grew from the water it surrounds. A life that came out of life. There’s also pure water that reflects its surroundings from how pure it is. Pure water, or water in general tend to symbolize fertility, refreshment and the power of nature. Everything in the photograph works well together, especially with the pop of color the image contains (the twigs). As if it’s an indication of the seasons. And here, the relationship between the passage of time and water is emphasized.
b. Waterfall
2. The shot is an extreme long shot, and somewhat a wide shot. The camera angle is an eye level angel.
3. In this image, water is represented in two different contexts; water in a calm state, and water in an agitated state. I believe that the message the image is trying to convey is that there’s always a point where two opposite, in this case states, meet. This point can be described as the transition point, where both states meet, where one is on its way towards liberation and freedom. The way I read this image is that after a long road of challenges and uncertainty, the guy was filled with hope while working his way towards peace and serenity which is symbolized by the two rainbows placed near the ‘transition point’ (note that one of the rainbows that is further from the ‘transition point’ is faint but when it moves closer to the clam water state the colors are more obvious) and when the guy actually managed to reach the clam state, he expresses the emotions he’s experiencing ranging from freedom and liberation to hope and peace by expanding his free hands in the air. I believe that the flowing water in this photograph represents change and the passage of time. It also represents states of mind combined with emotions and feelings, emphasizing the uncertainty of water or life.
c. Nature
2. The shot is a weather shot and an extreme long shot. The camera angle is an eye level angel.
3. In this image, water is overshadowed by mother nature and its natural occurrences. I believe that the image does not completely revolve around water but rather the life that water creates in this world ranging from plants to animals. In this image, the natural world is portrayed in a way that its beauty is glorified. But how did earth even gain its beauty? The way I read this photograph is that no matter how simple and insignificant water may seems, one should not forget the miracles that were created solely because of water, miracles such as mother nature. I believe that water in this photograph is emphasizes as miracles, and life.
d. Earth
2. The shot is a medium shot, and somewhat a wide shot. The camera angle is an eye level angel.
3. In this image, the fundamental elements of earth are showcased. Elements ranging from earth and water to air and space. In some way, this image emphasizes that mother earth is an embodiment of elements such as earth itself. And in another, it highlights the simplest elements that makes earth itself, an habitable planet. There are many ways that I choose to follow in order to interpret this image. Yet the most interesting way of interpterion I reached to is that every single human on planet earth has two limits; the lowest point which is water in this case and the highest peak which is the sky in this case. That all of us, god’s children were born into this world with nothing. We are born as the weakest and most vulnerable creature, and yet with time passing in our favor, we create ourselves, we set our goals and ambitions and work our way towards achieving them. With nothing but the sky as our limit. So, in other words, I believe that water in this image is represented as rock bottom and the sky as the epitome of success one can reach. So water in this photograph is a limit, a simple limit that one can’t cross, but can rise from it. At the end, life come out of life.
e. Dolphin
2. The shot is a medium close up shot. The angle is a low angle.
3. In this image, water is represented as home. As a comfort zone, a place where one flourishes and feels safe. The photographer captured a dolphin underwater, in other words, a dolphin in its home. The way I interpreted this image is that logically, one feels most safe and confident in their home. Where they’re in control of what goes on and where their voices are heard. When I look at the dolphin, this is exactly what I see; pure and sweet confidence. Where if the dolphin could speak, it would say “do you want me to show you around, human?”. I believe that water in this photograph is emphasized as safety, confidence and familiarity. Where one can be 100% honest with themselves.
f. Moss
2. The shot is a wide shot. The angle is an eye level angle.
3. In this image, water is in a constant flowing/changing state. Although flowing water symbolizes change and the passage of time, I can’t but emphasize that ‘change’ in the context of water can vary. It can be a change to the better, but it can also mean a change to the worse. In this image, as stated before, water is in a ‘constant flowing state’ so it should always be a source where one’s thoughts are confused and worried. A source of uncertainty and surprises. But I can’t help myself but feel at peace while looking at this image. Feelings filled with calmness, mindfulness and peace arouse within me. It feels like the image is speaking to my mind and emotions. Therefore, I believe that water in this photograph is in from of reassurance. It’s constantly moving and with each move it reassures the person that there’s peace, serenity and tranquility at the end of the road. And here the relationship between water and time interfere, that finding peace will eventually happen and that it’s just a matter of time.
Section 1: Film
- Find 12 important shots that frame significant ‘moments’ in the film’s narrative.
- Freeze each of the shots, take and print screen shots.
- As a spectator, give each image a caption that reflects your interpretation of each moment you choose from the film.
- Write a one sentence summary of how the film uses ‘Water’ as its subject.
In this moment, water is used as factor that leads a person to reach a state of tranquility.
In this moment, water is used as a tool to enhance the difficulty of the journey taken to discover the location of the shark. It adds depth and mystery to the scene and the story.
In this moment, water is used in a way that made it gain many lethal and deadly characteristic by the help of the shark jaw skeleton that adds even more danger to the scene.
In this moment, water is used as an the most sufficient approach of escape. A tool to facilitate the escape and lead to the grounds of safety.
In this moment, water is used as the deadly grounds or in other words ‘the floor is lava’. Come near it and you’ll meet death. Water in this moment represents danger, death and terror. It’s the only thing that separates life and death in this scene.
In this moment, water is used as the only and ultimate reason that’s keeping the guy from being eaten by the shark. The water is keeping the boat still and functionally floating and thus, keeping the guy’s life safe.
In this moment, water is used as the ground of safety. There’s peace and trust filling the water. There’s an ocean free of murderous sharks. There’s hope and there’s a tomorrow.
In this moment, the shark was killed by the people. Leaving a safe sea that’ll be enjoyable by the whole town. So, water was portrayed as a safe ground where people could swim again. Yet, what the people assumes that this dead shark is the only shar was completely wrong where another shark showed up and therefore, a dangerous sea again. So water was used as a tool of mysterious and unpredictability where there’s a constant change happening.
In this moment, water is used as a messenger. Delivering the devastating news that there is one less human leaving the beach today. That the ruined floatie is what remained out of that human.
In this moment, water is blocking the helpless sounds and screams coming out of the woman that are crying for help. Therefore, water is used as a silencing tool in this moment.
In this moment, water is used as the common ground that unites two enemies together. The stillness of the water and its calmness emphasizes the internal battels the boy experienced knowing his fate but acting against what his natural instincts wanted him to act upon.
In this moment, water is used as a juxtaposition tool to show the contrast between purity and impurity (water and blood). It shows how something so pure and innocent can be polluted and overruled by something such as blood.
Water Final Project 