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In a 2000 photograph of Dominos/Havana, John Goodman depicts a game of dominoes by capturing two pairs of moving hands over dominoes on gelatin silver. The effect of hand movement conveys to the viewer the message that the players are shuffling dominoes at the moment captured in the frame. A 55.5×35.4 black and white photo is vertical. The photographic print of John Goodman is incomparably magnificent. The idea of aesthetic texture, such as Goodmans exquisite grains, is like brushwork. Goodmans magnificent grainy image is contrasted with density. The blurred textures of the hands and nearby dominoes contrast with the sculpturally solid volumes of intact figures in the center of the photo. The table on which the game takes place is also an important detail. The paint worn off closer to the players hands is a metaphor for Goodmans human touch.
A monochrome picture allows one to place accents, emphasize details or see what the photographer wants to say. Hall (2021) affirms that sometimes black and white enforces see the subject. The bright accent of this image is the dominoes; they are the first thing that catches the eye. Then the attention is drawn to the hands, which are also a contrasting accent in the photo, but they are of secondary importance due to the blur effect. The third accent is a shabby table, the center of which is a bright spot in the photo, on which the main event unfolds.
The film has undeniable magic and still influences the viewers perception. Hall (2021) notes that one of its notable features is graininess. Although, like noise at high ISOs in the digital world, this results from increased light sensitivity and an undesirable degradation in image quality. However, it is the grain that brings a certain charm to the photo and makes the viewers hearts beat unevenly. Black and white images are instantly transformed with the appearance of grain on them. In Goodmans shot, the graininess adds to the photographs tangibility, haze, and unique atmosphere. Due to the barely perceptible ripples, the picture seems to come to life before the eyes.
The special atmosphere of the photo is given by the blur effect, which creates a feeling of high speed. Any sporting event or game carries a lot of emotions, including the desire to win, the struggle with oneself, the pain and bitterness of defeat, fatigue, joy, and happiness from victory. The most important thing is that there are a lot of dynamics in any sporting event. Shooting moving objects is an interesting task, but at the same time, quite embarrassing. The main hardship is to convey the effect of action in the photo, its dynamics, and emotions. Thus, the blur effect on the hands enlivens Goodmans photo and makes it dynamic.
Special attention should be paid to the photos mood, which is achieved through the use of black and white shades. Goodmans Dominos/Havana is simple, yet this minimalism is more impressive than a color photograph. Dark hands, shimmering light dominoes, and a contrasting black and white table catch and evoke feelings and emotions that colors would not awaken. A black-and-white frame leaves room for the imagination, and it is better than a thousand shades to make the picture come alive. Perhaps that is why I chose this picture. It reminded me of when I was a little girl and watched my grandfather and his friends play dominoes from Friday to Sunday. It is not colorful, but it made me remember.
Thus, Goodmans characteristic syntax and atmosphere draw the viewer into usually overlooked events. Blurring, graininess, and smooth edges are the main characteristics of Goodmans Dominos/Havana. The constant work of the artist in everything is the connection with people and the surrounding world, the ability to photograph these things when they are most revealed. It is more than just seeing and capturing a picturesque moment with a camera. This print reminds one that photography is an art when the person behind the lens is also the master printer.
Reference
Hall, A. (2021). Decisive moments: A guide to the art of photography. Luath Press Limited.
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