These images were taken in two different areas with two different feelings attached to them, however they evoke similar emotions when viewed together. The first image is of a collage of windows that looks out to a street view of other houses. I took this photo when my partner and I were visiting an apartment. Not only is this the first place that I’ll live off-campus, but it is the first time I’ll have lived with my partner outside of a college setting. When looking at this image, I found that the darkness surrounding the window could represent a feeling of bleakness and complacency in everyday life. While the forefront of the photo is dark, there are some visible areas near the bottom of the frame. The couch and blanket at the bottom right of the photo could give off a feeling of home, maybe even comfort. The light from the -window and the almost pastel-colored houses give off the impression of hope and of happiness. Beyond the happiness and lightness of the houses from the window, there is a cloudy sky and bare trees. These could represent that even though there may be happiness in the future, there will still be hard days ahead.
The next photo was taken in my dorm room after I had used a stamp and wax to seal a letter for my sister. The letter sits above a row of books, yet the eye is drawn to the center of the frame, where the red seal is. Obviously, since sending letters and sealing them in wax is somewhat outdated (though it is coming back in fashion for a few), this picture can bring a sense of nostalgia. The background of books, for me at least, brings a sense of familiarity and comfort, as I grew up surrounded by books and book-lovers. The wax seal, specifically the faint image of a rose, could evoke two thoughts. A rose can be delicate, meaning that someone looking at this photo may think that the contents of the letter are loving and emotional. However, a rose also has thorns, and the crimson, blood-like coloration of the seal could indicate a hint of malice or ill-intent. The latter is unlikely, as the rest of the photo is taken with a somewhat-consistent light distribution.
Both of the photos together can show a sense of change and acceptance, in a way. The photo of an apartment that has a ‘window to the future’ indicates change, or maybe even leaving a certain situation behind. The envelope goes along with that, as it seals away the past or could even be indicative of letting others know about how the writer is moving on.
