Of the New York Times 2014 photos, this post from May 11th impacted me the most. The clarity in the far right section of the photo draws your eye toward the emaciated woman from South Sudan. The first thing you look at is her face and its expression, immediately evoking emotion. Her 5-month-old son is also set apart from the light sheets which highlight his severely malnourished body.

This photo was taken by my mother and is one of my absolute favorites. There are no distractions from the focal point, as the contrasting lighting and softness make the woman stand out. The triangular shapes entrap the viewer while the geometric shapes are interesting to look at, as is the contour in her face and arms.

This photo is just really cool. The controlled lighting directs your eyes immediately toward the woman's face and the crow. Despite the circular illumination, this point of focus isn't in the direct center of the photograph which leaves more detail to explore. Although her skin tone is as light as the background, its shadows set her body apart from the wall. The dark hair and bird also give contrast.  

I pretty much just raided my mom's gallery. What I love most about this photo is the emotion and mystery. The soft lighting and focus on her face creates a story while still maintaining a balance of dark and light. Fortunately, the shadows still contain detail, such as the highlights in her hair. Again, though her skin tone is light, its never directly touching the lightness of the background which would cause it to blend.