Steve McCurry: Cambodia

This photograph was taken by Steve McCurry in Cambodia. I think that it is very visually pleasing because of all of the imitations between the background and foreground. The three figures in the center of the foreground mimic the three towers in the center of the background. They create a vertical line that connects each figure to its corresponding tower. Even the figure off to the left has a smaller tower that it corresponds with as well. The road is a strong vertical line that urges the eye from the figures in the foreground to the towers in the background, enhancing this feeling of unity that is already present. The picture is very balanced because each object or figure is tied to something else in the picture. Also, the main focus is in the center, and the objects on the sides enhance this balance because they are very simple and act almost as a mirror from one side to the other. For example, the structures on either side of the road in the background look very similar, and the road is line with grass and a few trees on both sides. The shadows of the figure create another twin image, making the strong triangular shape occur three times in the photograph. This is interesting because the eye is drawn to "threes", so the viewer gets a feeling of satisfaction, balance, and harmony when looking at the picture. McCurry must have used a wide-angle lense to create this much depth in the photograph.

Kelsey