Comparative Study

Photography
Ashley Trawiski

The photographers I will be comparing in this comparative study are Steve McCurry and Tina
Erdmann. In addition to these two photographers, I will also be comparing my own work to their photos
by analysing their techniques in relation to my work.
Steve McCurry is an international photographer while Tina Erdmann is a local photographer based in
Milwaukee, WI. I will be exploring their techniques, style, use of light, background, camera's, tone, the
emotional impact of their piece and their initial meanings while comparing their portraits/
photojournalism work.
Steve McCurry
Steve was born on February 24, 1950 in Philadelphia, USA. He attended Penn
State University, originally his desire was to study cinematography and
filmmaking but instead he decided to get a degree in theater arts. His interest
in photography started when he first worked for the Penn State newspaper
The Daily Collegian. After two years of working as a photographer for the
newspaper, he decided to continue with photography and embarked on a trip
to India. Steve is well known for his photograph called the Afghan Girl, a
portrait of a young woman whose identity was unknown for 17 years. He also
has published several books of his photographs such as Looking East
(2006) and Portraits (1999).

McCurrys images are best known for their striking use of colour. He visually
demonstrates the human consequences of war, not only showing how war
ravages the landscape, but also focuses on the tragedies of war etched in the
human face. As Steve describes himself now:
I am a visual storyteller
Most of my images are grounded in people. I
look for the unguarded moment, the essential
soul peeking out, experience etched on a
persons face. I try to convey what it is like to
be that person, a person caught in a broader
landscape, that you could call the human
condition.
Tina Erdmann Time goes fast. Years are over in the blink of an
eye. Take photos. Tell your story. Go analog.
Tina was born in Hartford, WI, but grew up in Oshkosh,
WI. As an adult she lived in Colorado for two years but
the majority of her life was been spent in Wisconsin, She
currently resides in Germantown, WI. Photography is her
second career, but it has been always been her passion.
With her Canon camera she runs two photography
businesses, one being her local business which is portrait
photography of families and young children. Her second
business is called Suitcase Shots. In this business she
organizes and runs international travel excursions, for
small groups, up to 10 people. Taking these people on a
photographic journey that they will never forget. Tina has
so far travelled to 21 countries and more await her
explorations.

Tinas motto:

Explore, Learn, Create, Give back, Go analog

Evaluation of Cultural Significance
Afghan Girl by: Steve McCurry

This portrait of a young woman was taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984
during the time of the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan. Soviet troops began the
invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, resulting in civilians being killed and many had
to flee the country and sought refuge in Pakistan. Due to her situation as a refuge
this young woman had a great impact on the photographer; her facial expression,
her eyes, her ripped, worn clothing. Her striking intense/haunting eyes, her scared
expression seemed to capture and symbolize the terror and anguish felt by
refugees. With this photograph Steve portrays the emotional intensity of a refugee
and all the fear, anguish and confusion expressed through her eyes and on her
face. Her identity to the world was unknown for 17 years, until Steve and
National geographic team decided to look for her. They succeeded in 2002, her
name is Sharbat Gula. This photo appeared on the front cover of National
geographic in June 1985.
Interpretation of function and purpose
The most intriguing part about this photo is the girl's
eyes. The way they appear in many shades of green as
well as a touch of blue. Her gaze is very intense,
looking right at the camera. When I look at her I see a
young girl that is scared, distrusts everyone, always
watching her back, always is tense and cautious, due to
the impact the war has had on her.. She is trying to
appear brave and in control by having closed lips and
her firm face, but her frightened, doubtful eyes give her
away. The light is focused on her face, drawing the
viewers attention to her big, intense gaze, making us
feel slightly uncomfortable. The effect of the backdrop
since it is green, almost matches her eyes and her dark
red burka is a more subtle color thereby drawing her
eyes out, making them the focus of the photograph
causing the viewer to be drawn immediately to them.
Her burka is torn in several areas illustrating her
difficult situation and the traumas of her life.
Evaluation of Cultural Significance
Daydreaming by: Tina Erdmann

This photo was taken in Kenya by Tina in 2015 during her travels.
It is a black and white photo taken of a young girl about 1 years
old. She is gazing outside of the lens shot towards the right, facing
a door, where the light source was coming from. The photo was
taken in a one room mud house. Its a monochrome photo that
contracts the tones of the photo. On the right side there is intimate
light highlighting her features. Due to the little girls unfortunate
living situation, living in extreme poverty, no electricity, water,
mud hut dirt floor, Tina used only the natural light that was
peeking in through the door. Tina was able to capture the girls
pensive state. There is a sense of sadness, concern reflected in her
expression. Caught in a natural unguarded state the young girl
epxresses her inner feelings.
Interpretation of function and purpose

This photo is taken in black and white, monochrome. This has

an significant effect on the entire mood of the photo. The little
girl is looking away from the lense as if something caught her
attention, as the title suggest daydreaming about something.
Reflective, pensive mood. The expression of the girl seems
concerned, serious. The background of the photo is black,
contrasting significantly the tones of the photo creating a
greater focus on the highlighted areas of the girls face. She's
holding her hand up to her face, it could be because she is
comforting herself with her touch. Overall the image has a
melancholic vibe. Tina used a Canon 5D Mark III with a EF
70-200mm f2.8L II USM lens.
 Making comparisons and connections Reflective, pensive,
Soft light Taken in calm
Pakistan Monochrome
colourful About 1 year
Green
old
backdrop
Africa
- Girls
Scared, tense, - Not from the US
doubtful - Scared pensive
mood Hand
- Tone focused on sign of
Expressive their faces comfort
green eyes - Portraits
- Highlighted facial
features Taken in
- Come from poor 2015
Taken in backgrounds
Harsh light
1984 - Low lit areas
- Caught in a
unguarded
Black
Intense gaze moment
backdrop
Blurred
12 years old background Split tone
Clothes are ripped Neat clothes
 Comparing and Contrasting
The style of both photographers while looking at the Afghan Girl and DayDreaming

Tina Steve
Portraits Blurry backgrounds with a
Black backdrop to focus and enhance
the monochrome tones green backdrop that focuses
Use of light to focus on the girl's eyes
on the facial features
Canon camera with a EF 70-200mm Nikon FM2 camera and with a Nikkor
f2.8L II USM lens Both young girls 105mm F2.5 lens.
affected by their
Theme of women living in a situation Theme of war and its impact on
third war country the image
Unguarded moment Medium: Cibachrome
Used split toning to add yellow in Used high saturation to Photography
the shadows in order to get rid of increase the red and green
the blue colours
Evaluation of Cultural Significance
Dancing Wodaabe by: Steve McCurry

This portrait was taken in Africa, Niger in the city of

Tahour. This man is wearing traditional clothing belonging
to his tribe the Wodaabe. At the end of the rainy season in
September the Wodaabe tribe men put on a spectacular
show, with the use makeup, feathers and other ornaments
while they dance to impress their judges which are the
tribes women who can take them as their husband. Steve
also through his lens captures the diverse cultures that exist
in the world. With this photo he examines the Wodaabe
tribe and as the viewer we are drawn to this curious
scene.We want to know more, the backstory behind this
young man and his dress.
Interpretation of function and purpose

This man proudly represents his tribe and culture that is

more obscure and unknown by the outside world. This
photo offers a glimpse into their unusual customs, and
traditions. McCurry focuses the camera on the man,
creating a blurry background so the viewer is
immediately drawn to the real beauty which are the
vivid aesthetic colours of the Wodaabe man, his face
and dress. He stands alone in this photo, he is the main
feature, not the background.The expression on the his
face shows pride, his eyes show us a mystery. High
saturation is used to define the colours.
 Evaluation of Cultural Significance
Independence by: Tina Erdmann

This photo was taken in Uganda by Tina. It is a

coloured photo with two young boys that are
about 12 or 13 years old, riding/pushing their bike
across a red clay road. The title, Independence
implies the situation of the two boys, Tina
examines how the boys at such a young age have
to be independent, they are free to wander
because of their poor living conditions and the
poverty that is all around them. At a very early
age these boys have to take care of themselves.
 Interpretation of function and purpose

In the photo we see two boys that could be friends or

perhaps related. They are at the center of attention in
the photo due to the light focused on them thereby
creating different shadows. The background of the
image has a vivid green scenery. We can see that the
borders of the photo are darker creating a circle that
is meant for the viewer to focus their eyes on the
main idea of this photo that in this case are the two
boys on a bike. The lack of shoes on both of the boys
as well as holes in their clothes gives the viewer a
sense of their life and hardships. Natural lighting was
for this photo, it was a sunny day and Tina captured
this while the sun was behind a cloud. Tina is using
the rule of thirds by aligning the subject with the
guidelines and their intersection points.
 Making comparisons and connections

Wodaabe tribe Uganda

Burred
background Sharp focus on Darker
the face borders Contrasting
shadows
Pride mysterious - Taken in Africa
- Both photographers
are catching a glimpse
of the boys lives
- African cultures
- Men/ Boys
Vivid colours - Symblizing
indeendence

Traditional Perplexed, shy

clothing

Light focused on the

boys No shoes, ripped
Two boys
Soft light clothes
Harsh light
High saturation
 Comparing and Contrasting
The style of both photographers for Dancing Wodaabe and Independence

Tina Steve

Dark edges of the photo to emphasize the

light on the focus of the photo which are Blurry background to effectively define the
the boys Photojournalism Wodaabe men

Canon 5D Mark III EF with Theme of culture

Nikon camera
24-70mm f2.8L II USM lens

Vintage mode High saturation

Rule of thirds Classical balance

 Both my photo and Tinas were taken in Africa, Tinas was
Comparing my work to Tinas taken in Kenya while mine was taken in Uganda. Tinas photo
Differences:
is more as a profile while my photo is a classical balance.
Tinas background is totally black, while mine has other people
in the background.. The girl in my photo is looking forward but
Similarities: slightly to the right, while in Tinas photo the girl is looking
-Taken in Africa towards the light.
Main focus in both
photos is a little girl
-Monochrome medium
-I contrasted the tones
after exploring Tinas
technique making them
stand out resulting in a
highlighted areas,
especially on the face
-Both used natural
lighting, that affected the
photo by appearing in
certain areas more
dramatic than others,
creating a harsher light
-Photos taken without a
tripod
- Canon cameras
 Comparing my work to Tinas
Differences:
In my photo I used a higher saturation then Tina did in hers, I
increased the warmer temperatures as we can see in the
clothing of the boys. The facial expression of the boys differ
in both photos. On the right, they are happy and not looking
at the camera, while on the left the boys are looking at the
camera with a perplexed stare, because of looking in front of
a camera and also culturally not use to seeing white people in
their village.

Similarities:
After evaluating Tinas style of photography I kept the
photos natural, slightly enhancing the beauty that already
exists, but not too dramatically.
-Both photos have two boys with one bicycle
- Similar to Tina I made the corners darker using the
burn darken setting in lightroom, resulting in
highlighting the aspect of photo which are the boys.
-No artificial light was used, just natural
-I also used the rule of thirds
-Medium coloured photography, taken by Canon cameras
Comparing my work to McCurrys
Similarities: Differences:
-Steve used saturation
to enhance the green
-Medium coloured and red areas, while I
photography used saturation to
- Portraits of women bring out the blue
- I increased the saturation colours
resulting in blue, cold - Subjects of the
colours being enhanced photos from different
- Highlighted facial background, Genesis
features in my photo is from
-Eyes are intense, and Puerto Rico, while the
focus of the photo Sharbat is from
- Natural light Afghanistan
- Natural features -Steve used his Nikon
camera while I used
my Canon 650D
-Different expressions,
Sharbat expressions
show her inner
strength while Genesis
shows a softness
Comparing my work to McCurrys

Similarities: Differences:
-Medium colourful -On the left we see the
photography Wodaabe tribe while
- Portrait photos on the right Polish
- Theme of culture culture
is presented in - Steve used saturation
both photos to increase his vivid
- I increased the colours, while I used to
saturation in order enhance red and white
to express the - Expression of the
colours Wodaabe man is stoic
-Natural light and Sebs expression is
happy. expressive.

The cultural understanding we learn from

McCurrys photo is about the Wodaabe men
and their customs, while in my photo I
express greater cultural understanding by
showing what's important to the Polish
culture which is soccer and its flag, National
identity, sense of cultural pride , tradition is
reflected in both photos.
Conclusion/ Composition

After analysing, demonstrating and comparing/ contrasting Tina Erdamnn

and Steve McCurry to my own photos, the important theme that linked
throughout our photos is culture. Culture defines us, our personality and all
aspects of who we are and how we live our lives. As photographers we
visually bring peoples stories to life through our work. More than just
faces, these are photos of people, who have a history, experiences that are
seen through their facial expressions. As viewers we come to know them
and are moved by what we see. We want to know more, who are these
people and what is their story. Through photographic techniques such as
highlight, saturation, tone, colour intensity and monochrome we are able to
tell their stories.