This is an image of Mt. Fuji which has become a symbol or icon of Japan. The volcano itself is centered in the top third of the photograph with its reflection in the bottom third. There is grass growing in both sides of the body of water at the bottom of the image with two figures (one presumably male, one presumably female due to styles of dress) in small wooden boats at either side. There is fog along the back edge of the water below Mt. Fuji. The hand-coloring is done in soft, natural colors. The composition, subject matter, and colors connote a sense of peace and tranquility. The image also feels balanced due to symmetry (aside from one smaller land mass at the top right which is asymmetrical).
This image, from the 'peddlers' section, depicts a wooden shop in a street with tons of shiny trinkets. There are several figures in the photo: a man to the left presumably selling the items, and a woman on the right holding one child with two other children standing beside her. The man is watching the woman and children who are busy looking at the items in the shop. The photo is hand-colored with a variety of bright colors which really draw the viewer's attention (and one would guess the potential buyers as well). But it makes one question: were these items really those colors or is that just how the photographer wished to portray them after the fact? The color also does not line up with or fully cover the object. Unlike a lot of other photographs we've seen in previous units (Beato, primarily) this photo looks as if it was taken on-location, that is, not set up in a studio.
Mt. Fuji is just stunning. It displays how extravagant Japan's land is, but shows it in a simplistic way. The men in the photo look like they are admiring the scenery, something I feel myself and fellow Americans often forget to do. In your second image, the peddlers shop reminds me of many of my travels around the world. Although I have never been to Japan, throughout Europe and South America there are many peddlers out on the streets. I feel in the United States, this is not as popular, even in big cities. There is a definite culture difference here.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the fog and reflection in the Mt. Fuji picture. The reflected image of the mountain is so clear that it almost looks fake. The coloring adds some great details for the time, but I can imagine that the true beauty of seeing Mt. Fuji in person dwarfs any justice a picture can do. The toy vendor is also unique because of the motion in the image. The woman with her children is a slight bit blurry, which makes the setting feel a bit more realistic even though the vendor has a stiff pose.
ReplyDeleteI really love mount Fuji for its aesthetics as well for the meaning it has to the people of Japan. It really is a beautiful landscape. It's really beautiful in the picture how the mountain reflects perfectly in the water. The people in the water dont seem to be disturbing the image what so ever. They seem to become a part of the scene. I think that is my favorite part of the entire image. The people in the second image have a different purpose than in the first. They are much more noticeable and apparent to the viewer.
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