1.  The first item that grabs my attention is the white hat with the pink stripes.  Then the belts bring my attention around to the colorful beenie at the bottom.  With the bold contrasts of dark and light and blacks and colors, it seems as though the they are battling for a prominent position in the picture.  And with the red peeking through the bottom left corner, the feeling is reinforced.  To me the green seems like it's trying to be neutral in shade but with it overlapping more black and less color shows it may be more for one side than the other.

2.  At first glance, the viewer's attention is drawn to the stark contrast of deep black and brilliant white found in the top left portion of the picture.  Then, it travels down and around an olive green belt, which overlaps an other bright white item, this time a belt.  Also found below the two belts is a black with white pinstriped hat.  The contrast of the white belt and the hat not only creates interest but also emphasizes the stripes in the head cover.  An eccentrically colored, knitted stocking hat then blares into the photo, half hidden below the bottom of the composition.  This is the biggest eye-full in the composition.  The loose threads make the beenie seem slightly out of focus but also gives a warm-and-fuzzy appearance to the hat as well.  Projecting at an angle from the beenie is a zipper attached to vinyl, drawing the attention of the eye back up the composition, to the black mass from which it originated.

3.  The different direction of lines creates a very moving and interesting piece.  The lines also vary in boldness, sharpness, and quality which brings a unique feel to the photo.  The color on the bill on the baseball cap and also the colors found in the weave of the snow hat help bring the picture to life.  I don't think the placement of some objects is perfect, but it does not hurt the composition to have them where they are.  I am not for sure what I would change, but something tells me it could be better with a little bit of experimentation.

4.  The photo tells a story of "diversity."  It shows how many objects of different color, size, shape, and use can still come together to create a harmonious balance in a photograph.  No mention is ever made of the contrasts between each piece, no wars are ever fought; just peace resides in this basket of colors.  A cordial meeting among the league of opposition.

5.  Richard Serra's works are for one thing, massive at times, and for another, is more than meets the eye.  At first glance, I thought, "incredibly smooth," but then as I inspected the image closer, I realized the material, though glass-like at first, shows its age in time.  Small ridges and imperfections can be observed with a detailed inspection.  My piece on the other hand, shows the variety of textures right from the start.  No mystery lies in the picture, yet curiosity is still aroused with the contrasts of color, while Mr. Serra relies more on the reflective aspect as well as the circular motion of the object to entertain the eye.

1.  My attention was first drawn to the eeriness the picture.  The effects of the seemingly green light and slight blurriness suggest a presence other than my own.  The bright lights at the top middle and the reflection of those same light on the cement below beckon the viewer to walk towards the nothingness existing at the end of the bridge.  Along with the stripes on the ceiling and the combination of the horizontal and vertical poles/beams, pulls a person towards the mysterious end.

2.  The picture represents one-point perspective with a bridge.  The bridge is constructed of cement for the floor, metal bars for the railings and supports, and wood for a ceiling.  A sign announcing the bridge as "jellison bridge" anoints the top triangle at the beginning of the bridge.  An almost iredescent green glow illuminates the upper triangle and the floor below balancing the picture.  As the bridge leads forward, it comes to a stop creating a hexagonal shape.  Bordering the outside of the construction is black... nothingness.

3.  The picture seems to be not quite level vertically and is not in complete focus, but I think this creates a unique effect that supports the idea of supernaturalism.  Although the picture was taken at night, the use of the lights to create the green at the front and then darker blues leading to black at the back makes the composition seem visually longer.  With the focal point in the middle vertically is not as interesting as it could have been on a side but I think it still completes the task of drawing the viewer down the long walkway. 

4.  The picture tells a story of mystery and curiosity; two characteristics we as humans are extremely guilty of, no matter what our instincts may be telling us.  A foreboding feeling embraces those who dares to enter the suspended path.  The word "mystery" always seems to jump to my mind first when I interpret this picture.

5.  When compared to Edward Ruscha, the placement of our focal points are very different.  He tends to lead the mind off the page, into the unknown world around it while mine has a distinct place for the eyes to stop and the mind to wander.  In a way we both evoke emotion though in different ways.  His compositions show good contrast like mine though, keeping the viewers interest and eyes moving at all times.

1.  The bareness of the branches gives an empty filling but then with the presence of water, a more new renewing filling replaces the emptiness left by the trees.  My eyes are first drawn to the dark evergreen trees on the right and then it moves around before resting on the seemingly calm center of the water.

2.  The eye is first drawn to the far right of the picture where the densest part of the trees are.  Then they slowly move counter-clockwise where the trees become less and less dense, slowly allowing the light of the sky to pass through.  The reflection seems almost life-like, but with a glimpse of the shoreline, it shows the idea of the reflection.

3.  The composition seems to be a little heavy on the right side where the darker colors are more prominent.  Although the piece is not in black and while it seems as though it is because of the season.  Winter takes the leaves and color from the trees but reddish browns are expressed lightly throughout the left side of the picture.  The line quality varies greatly in the composition.  With a combination of thick and thin lines, an almost fuzzy appearance is achieved.

4.  Reflection.

5.  In the pieces of Edgar Degas, the artist creates a calming and softening effect.  Even in the normally harsh lines of buildings, he is able to create a hazy effect that blends well with the ballerinas.  In my piece, the tons of tiny branches also seems to give the trees a softening effect as well.  But my contrast is much starker than his.  He has a softer palette the blends well together.  

1.  What first captures my attention in this picture is the very bold/thick horizontal lines on the right side.  Mix that with the stark contrast of blazing white on top and I get the overwhelming sense of strength and power.  But then the other half of the picture seems to say, "I'm just going to chill here in gray while I slowly fade into the background..."  A completely different feel than the opposite side.  But with the heavenly light gleaming on top of both objects give the hint as a barrier.  Trapping them in their present state.

2.  The photo consists of two books and a large box of Lipton tea.  The Lipton sits on the left side of the picture and is at an angle so that it recedes into the middle of the picture.  The box is a light gray color with darker shades where picture and text lay.   The small part of the front of the box that is visible is a dark gray, acting as a shadow.  The very top of the box shows no description at all.  It consists solely of a bright white.  Then, on the right side, the books lay stacked on one another.  The shadow is too dark to determine titles or authors.  The top of these books also consist of the stark white.  The top book has a bookmark with a ribbon tied to it.  The ribbon looks almost ribbed and seems transparent like.

3.  With the use of clear and unfocused lines a focal point is created nicely.  The color is black and white to enhance the effects of chiaroscuro.  With the props so dark on one side and the amount of space used by the other lighter shape, the picture balances nicely.  Overall, the composition uses a variety of shades of black and white as well as strong lines that create good eye movement.

4.  It tells the story of thought.

5.  Albrecht Durer's pieces are much busier than my picture.  I have a simplified version of chiaroscuro and it also is not quite as dramatic.  The right side of my piece has the stark contrast but it does not continue throughout the composition as he portrays in his pieces.