By Francis Coletti

There is a plethora of artistic and documentary photography that has graced the walls of the SMCC Learning Commons and this art’s reporter doesn’t want it to see it go. Located on the second floor there is a charge of emotional and thought provoking photography that will energize your creative spirit into a realm of conceptual thinking bounding your energy to that of the library.

As we know people go to the library for literary inspiration and research, but once you check out the artwork you will stay for the visual inspiration. Adding the element of creative dynamism to one’s thought processes will transcend the apathetic mind into the conscious and engaged one.

Christian Farnsworth photography Arts 220 class has been is studying and applying the technique of “Rule of Thirds,” to their photographs. For the individuals unfamiliar with this rule, the “Rule of Thirds” is a basic compositional technique used in all fields of visual arts. Leaving out abstract, radial patterns and symmetrical balance, every piece of two-dimensional art ever created follows or tangible morphs the “Rule of Thirds”.

Though, it may not be called “Rule of Thirds” in film or painting, the idea is to take your frame and split it into thirds horizontally and vertically. At the intersection of these points is where you want your subject to stand as it catches the eye. The fundamental rule is meant to enhance the viewing experience. Throwing the subject a little off the line, or intersection can create an imbalance that draws the eye to both the subject and negative space of the image.
Farnsworth’s students are conscious of this principle and have mastered the esoteric qualities it takes to hold human attention. Every photograph in this study has surpassed compositional skills to opus quality work incorporated with challenging lighting techniques, eye-catching focal length, and brain teasing creativity.

It would say it is a duty for students in search broadening their educational experience to spend some quality time at the exhibit. Not only would it be a fun experience, but also it would be an experience of enlightenment. The beauty of an exhibit like this is that while you are studying the photographs act as a vehicle that is key to a calming and meditative atmosphere. To deny this institutionalized dojo with levity is an insult to your mind depriving the viewer of a journey that transcend the fundamental work found in these photographs into something that steps into the realm of the whole being greater than the sum of it’s parts..
The show will be on display until Thursday, December 11.