Composition Case Study: Analyzing Arnold Newman's Photo of Igor Stravinsky

[@SeanAdair59]

You spoke about leading the eye to the subject with a previous frame, but here there is such a clear leading the eye to Stravinsky's face. The brace holding the top of the piano is like a pointer from the mass of the opened top.

[@carlosossorio3309]

This is a fantastic video step by step, frame by frame leading up to the final striking shot where it all comes together. Your detailed guidance analyzing this shoot, it what makes you the amazing teacher you are. Thank you Marc.

[@marcsilber]

Thank you so much Carlos!

[@meighanbelanger6717]

This was fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed this case study.

[@marcsilber]

So glad to hear! I’ll be doing more

[@marcsilber]

Arnold Newman was a fantastic photographer, we can learn a great deal from his process. I'd love to hear what stands out for you?

[@BethBuelow]

Great analysis, thanks so much, Marc. I love seeing the trajectory of Newman's vision. And I agree, that final image is brilliant. My noticing and curiosity is around how much Newman considered Stravinsky's music in deciding what direction to take the portrait. I tend to believe he took it into account in some way based on that final image. Stravinsky had an unsentimental view towards music ("“All music is nothing more than a succession of impulses that converge towards a definite point of repose.”) and referred to himself as an "inventor" of music. Somewhere in my music education I remember hearing that he spoke of composing "The Rite of Spring" in a trance-like state, being more conduit than creator. This final image reflects that ethos: with Stravinsky almost dwarfed by the piano, it's like it's depicting the hierarchy of creation, making us notice the piano and consider the music that comes from it rather than focusing on the composer himself. I also see this image as the visual parallel to his music: sometimes angular and sharp, modern, and breaking with convention. Stravinsky definitely challenged and broke the rules, so a conventional portrait wouldn't have captured his essence as much as this does. Thanks for this video and provoking deeper reflection on what makes this portrait so spot-on. I look forward to future videos in the series!

[@marcsilber]

Thanks Beth and thanks for adding your deep insight!

[@b991228]

I like the fact that Arnold Newman was not afraid to crop an image to accent the sub-framing of a composition. A full frame camera allows you to easily get away with that.

[@nlanni]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@marcsilber]

You're welcome!

[@petervanderstock7636]

What I love about this amazing portrait is the shape of the piano. It looks like a musical flat symbol. Intentional of coincidence?

[@marcsilber]

yes, interesting!

[@judgerivers7631]

Great video..✌🏼🤓

[@marcsilber]

Thanks 👍