Gregory Crewdson - Madison Galloway

Gregory Crewdson - Madison Galloway

Gregory crewdson is a very famous photographer. He is known for his elaborately planned productions and his meticulous attention to detail. He gives us an insight in his documentary on how he comes about his scenes.  He likes to swim for long distances especially in lakes so he can concentrate on his ideas as well as driving around the town he lives in looking around thinking. He says once he has an idea he needs to get it out and put it into practice. Some of his sets cost as much as a movie set would, it's almost as if he is creating his own little world where everything is perfectly positioned how it wants it. He projects his own desires and fears and constructs an image where everything is in its own spot for a reason. Many would call him obsessively attentive as he attempts to preserve a moment in time in one perfect photograph.

The above image is quite intriguing. It depicts a mother in what appears to be a motel room sitting on a bed with her infant sleeping naked on the other side of the bed. Her expression is totally blank as she gazes and her child, which makes it hard to explain her emotions just from her facial expression. She could be sad, lonely, anxious or just tired and exhausted.

One thing that really stands out to me is the distance between the mother and child. With the door of he motel open the cool outside atmosphere must be creeping into the bedroom which makes me question why hasn’t the mother wrapped up her infant nice and warm. Why isn’t she rocking her baby to sleep or why hasn’t she put it in a cot for it to sleep. These aspects make me feel like there is a whole of distance between these two.

The next feature that stands out and gives meaning to the photograph is the angle and position that the image is shot from. From taking the photograph outside, as a viewer, it feels like you are peering in on their life almost stalker like. The window frames the subjects well and draws you to the main part of the image by having it lighter than the rest of the photo.

What seems to be the back end of a car in the far left hand side of the photograph also adds mystery to the image. That could possible represent a father figure, as one is not present in the image.

In my opinion the snow outside and the dim lights increase a sense on abandonment. Also is a lot of space in the photograph and the main subjects are only filling a fraction of it. I love the composition of this image as the subjects are just off the top left rule of thirds and how the dimness of the foreground leads you to the middle ground where the main focus has been placed.

Although there is a variety of colours in this photograph most are very dim which contributes towards the emotions of sadness. The outside colours are very blue which suggests it is evening time and appears very cold. Inside the house appear very earthy tones apart from the green bed through which I think is there to highlight and bring attention to the baby.

All in all the emotion I get from viewing this image is one of somber and sadness. In my opinion it is technically seamless and addresses all the aspects of a successful image including the aspects and principle of deign down the composition and placement.