
Leonard Freed, American, 1929 – 2006. Tuna Fish Factory. 1975. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/28143053
This photograph depicts a man pushing a cart with a fish or shark inside of it. The scenery consists of a cobblestone road & a brick wall.
I think this photo is so excellent due to its simplicity. It perfectly freezes the motion of the cart being pushed, & the background completely isolates the subject, which in turn highlights the subject. It also satisfies the rule of thirds, as the man pushing the cart is on the right third & the cart is on the left third. On top of that, the downhill slope keeps the 2 subjects of different heights & value on an even plane. Therefore, the frame is very balanced. Another subtle detail about the composition is the underexposure of the man’s face, & I personally think that choice aids in making the photo interesting, as it keeps the photo more abstract at a glance & takes your attention away from his face & more towards the greater context of the frame. All in all, this photograph is a perfect example of less is more, where a simple subject & scenery can make a big statement with a minimal amount of assets.