This is a
picture that I took during combat training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. The
objective of this mission was to navigate a series of obstacles in order to
take out a fox hole that had a M2 and a MK 19 grenade launcher in it.
For this assignment I have been asked to explain the concepts of Contrast, balance and harmony as they pertain to this picture.
To begin, I would have to say that out of the three relational characteristics contrast, balance and harmony, I feel that Contrast is the most prominent concept that we see represented in this picture.
To begin, I would have to say that out of the three relational characteristics contrast, balance and harmony, I feel that Contrast is the most prominent concept that we see represented in this picture.
Contrast can be seen in the fore different shades of green represented in this picture. You have the most
obvious green color of the smoke, the green color in the uniform the green
needles of the pine trees and the green gloves warn by the soldier you see in the upper right and upper left corners.
Another great contrast that is present is a contrast between the clear and
focused pine needles and the bellowing smoke created from the smoke bomb. When
you begin comparing these elements you notice that you can see through the pine
needles on the right side of the picture but you cannot see through the
bellowing smoke on the left. We get an idea of what is behind the smoke by
seeing the pine trees in the upper left corner, but you cannot see them through
the smoke.
Balance was
achieved in this photo in the dissipating smoke. It gives away to a slightly
visible background. This allows the picture to have a realistic feeling. It
also allows the picture to be broken up into thirds. Another element of
balance, in my opinion, is the other soldier’s leg that is seen through the
dissipating smoke. This distributes the weight of the picture that is caused by
the offset of the soldier in the forefront. Another way balance is achieved in
my opinion is seen in the natural progression of the smoke going from thick and
billowing to a slight haze lingering in the air. One more way Balance is achieved can be seen in the pine
trees that are not only represented in the foreground of the picture but also
in the back ground of the picture.
Harmony
is created by the mixing of the greens. Because the soldier is wearing
camouflage, body armor and has his weapon drawn you automatically get the
feeling of combat. The thick dark green smoke is an exact contrast to the
uniform and thus causing it to pop out at you more than the soldier. Looking at
this picture you get a since of what combat might really be like. The soldier
who has a mask on that covers their nose and mouth, is running through the
smoke or he is avoiding the smoke makes sense to our brain. It’s a natural
expectation of combat. There for we do not question what is taking place. If we
were to switch out the soldier for a fire fighter you could easily achieve the
same element of relativity that exists given the content of the picture.