Response to Andreas Gursky's "Rimini"

This is one of my favorite photographs in the group. Between the landscape in the background and the actual subject of the umbrella pattern, this creative image has a lot to offer to the audience. Gursky frequently uses this pattern technique in his photographs. He often captures images of landscapes from an elevated view- a technique he employed in “Rimini.” The colors in this photo are magnificent. The way he saw the pattern and was able to see the image from above shows a great deal of artistry. He did start using digital manipulation in the late 1990s, so this photo could have been generated with the help of Photoshop.

This image definitely has the “wow” factor when audience members realize what they are looking at. I felt the same reaction while looking at his other photograph in the collection, “99 cent.” I prefer “Rimini” of the two, though, because it is less busy and it allows my eyes to travel around the picture and not get lost in the monotony of the pattern. I like the crooked nature of the beach because it is natural. The same effect would not be found in a straight lined strip of the shoreline.

The focus of the picture is perfect for the setting as well. He tends to employ the depth of field technique because of the high point of view he uses. Gursky’s lighting allows for the rich colors of the water and beach to be seen. This photo looks like it should appear in a travel brochure for a tropical island.