If you were to ask the question, “What makes a great photograph?”, you would get varied responses.

“Interesting composition.”

“Great light.” ”

The subject has strong emotional appeal.”

Or simply, “I love it!” There is no set formula. Perhaps the  best way to understanding what makes great photographs is to, well, look at great photographs.

#1. David Heath

The single white line in the background and the two boys’ gaze extend and meet at a focal point outside of the photograph. By leaving the gazed object/person blank, Heath imbues a sense of urgency. The emotional draw is heightened because of viewers’ involvement in the act of looking (“What’s there? What are they looking at?”).

Image Credit: Courtesy of the artist / Howard Greenberg Gallery

#2. Kenneth Van Sickle: Details: Mary Glasses 1955

Image Credit: Courtesy of the artist / RL Fine Arts

Upon first glance, the photograph appear uninspired — glasses, women drinking. But in fact it is a brilliant play on the properties of light and glass. The blurred face of the woman dressed in a polka-dotted shirt is similar to what one experience when one is intoxicated.

#3. Simpson Kalisher

A taxi driver, two pedestrians, all are potential subjects yet none of their faces are visible. Instead, their shadows have became the subjects. In a moment of whimsical fancy, what usually resides in darkness steps into the light — seen becomes invisible, unseen visible.

Image Credit: Courtesy of the artist / L’Oeil de la Photographie

David Greenberg Gallery
The Fuller Building / 41 East 57th St. Suite 1406, New York 
Tues-Sun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, current exhibition ends Feb. 22, 2014