Running Out of Space

The text in Communication Arts that accompanied this image is as follows: The Albertine Rift is rich in rainfall, deep lakes, volcanic soil, and biodiversity; it is also one of the most densely populated places on earth. This series documents the tension of Uganda's growing population's fight for livable space. The competition for land and resources -- between people and wildlife -- has erupted with unthinkable violence, and the natural world and its wildlife are often the losers. With global population predicted to reach 9 million by 2045, this corner of Africa is a perfect example of what is at risk.

I thought, what a great illustration for this passage, a lion living in a tree! And the way the lighting highlights it is just perfect. There were other illustrations in the series in the magazine, but this one struck me as just right. It almost looks like a photograph, cropped just right with the focus just a little off center.

Holding a Heart

This illustration by Ewa Mos piqued my interest. We usually represent the heart with a simple shape, but she made it look like a real heart. The stripes in the background are pointing toward the focus. The hand and the heart are both well drawn. I have to admit, it is much more interesting to look at than a valentine in a hand. The skull detail is a bit odd, as is the syringe going into the hand. What do they have to do with "Love" ?

The Birds

This image was displayed in Computer Arts Magazine June 2011. The artist is Sara Blake. She says one of her favorite subjects is roosters. This image intrigued me with all the layers of feathers. Blake puts scans of multiple images together in her art. The colors are from all over the color wheel but they do not seem out of place. They touch up the picture just right.

Potential Beauty

This photo came from the magazine Communication Arts with the following headline: "You see an abandoned chair on the street and you think "It has the potential to be something beautiful." You see a homeless youth on the street and you think "Don't make eye contact."

This photo combined with the headline spoke to me. It is true for many of us. The photo itself is well done. The chair is clearly the focal point, having the warmest and most saturated colors in the whole picture. This helps it communicate the message that we would see something of potential value in it. The reason I chose this is that it made me think.