Comparing Images

The image quality isn't amazing as the photograph was taken in 1906. It is not immediately obvious what this is a photograph of, other than that it is of an earthquake. The image is quite over-exposed in the background because of the bright light of the sky and the image provokes a sense of disaster, as there is a huge crack in the ground and a cart has fallen down it. We can tell from the photo that this may have been a natural disaster and that it is a very old photograph but what is not obvious is exactly where and when it was. The expression of the image is quite dark and gloomy and there is a sense of fear and sadness about it. The central part of the image is the big crack in the ground which is in the middle and in focus whereas the less important features of the picture are more blurred out. There is a horse and cart and a single figure in the background, there is also some debris around the edges this shows that the street is deserted and alot of damage has been caused. There isn't really very much movement implied in the picture apart from that the crack has recently made it's way along the ground and caused devastation. Because this image is old, it is in black and white but we can tell that the colours in the actual scene must have been quite dull to begin with. The photographer has only included the essential components in their photograph, they have taken the photo along the floor at a low angle to show the extent of the damage and to show as much of the surroundings as is needed to create an understanding in the viewer of the extent of the situation.