I chose the last image (number 14) in “The Peculiar Beauty of Flotsam.” This image stood out to me because it was the only one that had a person in it. All of the photos leading up to this were of things that were found in one day along a river. This closing picture packs a punch because it is an image of the person who is actually collecting all of the trash that we are looking at. Instead of just telling a story through all of the images of trash I thought it was clever to add the man that made these pictures possible, creating an ending to the story.

This picture used the “Rule of Thirds” discussed in “Top 10 Photography Composition Rules.” The main object in the picture, Willis Elkins, would be at the two intersections of the right vertical line. Then there are small buildings on the top left of the picture to ensure that there is no dead space and everything is balanced. This picture also uses the lining of the shore as a border. The shoreline creates two cuts at the top and bottom of the photograph to bring the attention to the main image. Also, the use of pattern is being used to draw attention to the main point of focus. Elkins’ shirt is plaid which draws the focus immediately because it is the only patterns that are in the picture.

This picture gives me a better understanding of all the preceding images. When I was looking at all of the trash it made me think of all the forgotten things in this world that no one thought twice about forgetting. Then I see this man who decided to remember the things that were left behind. The pictures created by the objects he found were beautiful but I was really inspired when I saw the man who decided to go out and find the things that no one bothered to remember. It seemed like the most fitting way to end the story.

Photograph by Jens Mortensen