Exam Unit - Indepth analysis - bruce davidson

Bruce Davidson is an american photographer. He first started photographing when he was 10 years old. The majority of his photographs were taken in Harlem, New York City. At 16, he won his first reward in a snapshot contest. He been involved in many different documentaries. He also went through a stage where he focused mainly photographing where he produced the ''brooklyn gang'' and ''the dwarf''.

For the first image I really like the framing, I like that the models face is really close up. Relating to the theme inside,outside, in-between, it looks like the model is inside a box or a stage from the white cloth above. This could show the size of the model. Also having the black background really empathises the models face paint. The face paint acts as creating a new character but could also reflects the models emotions. This could be symbolic of the model painting on a face for other people to see to show his happy and his expression of the no emotion, shown in his eyes he's not a happy.

For the second image, the image has been taken from a top down angle. This could be to show the background. The model is sitting on the bed bed with shoes lying beside him. Is there a reason for the objects being placed in the photograph? These could symbolise comfortability. The models again has face paint on although we cannot see much of the models face as he's playing the trombone.


For the first image I think that high filters have been used in the darkroom to really enhance the contrast of the black and white, cropping could have been done. For the second image less filter has been used as it seems to be quite grey. Cropping could be done to get good framing.

I think for because of the use of colour its captures quite a calm mood, and reflect that the shoot was quite calm and everyone seemed comfortable therefore got quite natural shots. These shots reflect the models time in the circus which I know these images were taken from. Trying to show the background life outside of the circus. I like these images as they do not seem put on and they look really natural, simple but beautiful shots.