Monday, December 14, 2009

First image that impacted you?

I saw an exercise posed in various places around the interwebs.  It is a simple thing to do.  Think of the first piece of visual art that caught your attention in a meaningful way.

For me it is Steve McCurry's Afghan Girl.  I first saw the photo when I was about 10.  I still am not sure why it grabbed my attention so much.  It is striking -- for sure, and over the last 20 years or so has grown into iconic photo.  I know that I am not alone in admiring it.  I bet many of you can picture it before even clicking on the link I provided to it.

It is interesting to watch the girl grow younger and younger every year.  When I first saw it, I didn't even recognize her as a child, but it is clear to me now.

As far as the photo itself, I like the simplicity of it.  The frame is filled with the girl.  The light is from the camera's right, and is very soft.  The background is a wash of soft color.  Her eyes are the focus of the picture.  They won't. let. go.

Anyway, no photo of mine here, go look at the picture. Look slowly, and then maybe tell me the first image that grabbed your attention.

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