Photo Assignment #1

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/essay-philip-seymour-hoffman-an-actor-of-moments-big-and-small/2014/02/02/f43b2aba-8c51-11e3-95dd-36ff657a4dae_story.html?hpid=z2

The story has several accompanying photos; in fact it has an entire photo gallery consisting of notable appearances Hoffman made during his lifetime.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/actor-philip-seymour-hoffman-found-dead/2014/02/02/c0766620-8c3a-11e3-98ab-fe5228217bd1_gallery.html#photo=7

This first photo is special for several reasons. Not only does it feature Hoffman mid-bowling stance, the woman in the background is wearing a Knicks shirt, proving that the event was sponsored by the Knicks. The shot also uses selective focus, focusing on Hoffman — the subject of the photo. The people in the background are slightly blurred out.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/actor-philip-seymour-hoffman-found-dead/2014/02/02/c0766620-8c3a-11e3-98ab-fe5228217bd1_gallery.html#photo=10

This photo is interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly, it features leading lines, as one's vision at first goes to Seymour, and then to the people in the background. It also uses the rule of thirds, showing what Hoffman and his date are wearing (to indicate scene). In the second graph Hoffman and his date are laughing, indicating their mood, and the final graph features the crowd in the background, further illustrating the scene.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/actor-philip-seymour-hoffman-found-dead/2014/02/02/c0766620-8c3a-11e3-98ab-fe5228217bd1_gallery.html#photo=12

I think this is the coolest picture in the set. Hoffman is framed in front of the erection, giving the picture a special reference point and a sense of place. The grass is also extremely green, proving the image with vibrance(color). And, of course, there is the rule of thirds.

The pictures work well within the context of the news story because they show Hoffman at various different events, almost serving as a microcosm of things Hoffman invested his time in. He's shown at a charity bowling game, on the red carpet and on the set of a movie. The article is written in response to his recent death, and attempts to shed light on Hoffman's life. The pictures serve as outstanding complements, painting a picture of the things Hoffman did.