South African Hunting

The hunting scene plays a big role in the southern part of Africa where the game is large and exotic.  Rhino and zebras and lions and other game all have valuable aspects, like their skin or tusks, which can be very profitable in the African market and other markets around the world.  The image below portrays a young boy on a South African plain, his face and hair covered in blood, and a young buck lying dead and bloody on the ground before him.  The photographer of this image could simply be capturing a sight common in the South African safari region of a boy going hunting but I think it is portraying to the viewer something deeper about the negative side of the sport of hunting. 

The boy is so young and he is looking at the camera with a face that looks like this is a normal thing to him.  His stare and the blood on his face and hair make him seem almost barbaric, like he is a herder and needs to hunt for his food.  But then you see the clothes he is wearing, modern jeans and nice jacket, and see that he is hunting just for the sport of it.  Hunting is a common occurrence, however not the kind that covers a young boy in blood.  And then you see the animal on the side of the image, lying dead and bloodied.  It makes you feel almost sad for it.  There have had to be many laws and regulations in South Africa about what you can hunt, where you can do it, and with what you can kill the animals with.  If there are so many regulations and endangerment of the wildlife, then it seems to be an issue.  I think this image captures the normality with which the South African hunters see in the game, but to a foreigner of the territory, the bloodied boy and the bloodied buck make is seem a barbaric act that makes you feel for the animals.

Southern Simple

     America in its current state has vast differences in cultures, race, and general ways of life. It still lives up to the old name of "The Melting Pot" due to the mixing of all of these things. This photo, taken from a collection of photos that characterize the people of America, tells a lot about the state of everyday life in a small town of Texas. However small this town may be, this rhetoric also reminds the viewer of common themes in today’s everyday southern life.

     The first thing one would notice about this picture is the way the artist chose to present the colors. The photo is left in black and white to emphasize the non-wavering expressions on the two individuals faces. Also, the colors combined with the seemingly old truck are used to embellish the feelings of nostalgia. Although this is a current picture, the author presents it so that it seems like one from the past which might cause older viewers to feel connected to it. When the emotions in the figures’ faces are analyzed, they have a content look on their face due to the peaceful serenity presented by the picture. If analyzed differently, a face with no emotion at all can be seen. This is because this is a snapshot of a piece of American life and therefore, they are posing like it is one. The photographer also wants to present a happy couple and to do this he uses a very noticeable feature of the picture, posture. The young girl is pressed against the wheel with long flowing hair while the guy looks cool and calm. The slight touch of the girl’s hand against the boys arm presents the image of comfort. The author uses the view in the picture to give the common view one might see in the south. Beautiful girls, calm and cool guys, and the old truck against a barn and tree are used to symbolize the importance of where the photo was taken and give the viewer a short glimpse of southern life.

Is there any hope for the future?

After the devastation that occurred from the Gulf Oil Spill in 2011, many people were left frustrated and upset. One of these victims was Arthur Etienne Jr. To fully show how this disaster affected the world, photographer Bryan Thomas spent time with Etienne to see the lasting impact that the spill has left. It has been two years since the tragedy and communities are still dealing with the consequences. The photograph taken by Thomas of Etienne, an oysterman, conveys the feeling of despair and tragedy that is still affecting communities today.

            In the photograph, the man has his back turned hiding his face and any other attributes that could tell us who he is. Although the picture does not show his face, you can tell that his face and body is tilted downwards showing sadness or a sense of giving up. This body language gives proof that the spill is now affecting people, like the oysterman, today. The man in the photograph also has his arms and hands stretched all the way out to two separate poles to the left and right of him. Its looks as if the man is holding on to the poles for support as his body shows exhaustive qualities. He is doing this as he looks out into the water in Louisiana to the damage and devastation that the oil spill caused. The way that the man is positioned in the photograph suggests that he is giving up and surrendering to this oil spill. He understands that there are some things that can’t ever go back to normal even after a long period of time. The water that used to employ him and help him put food on the table is now failing him as the oysters that he used to catch are becoming fewer and fewer. Instead of looking lovingly and excitingly at the water, which he did when his business was successful, he looks on to it as if there is no hope.

America United

The image above shows a powerful message.  The Civil war was the bloodiest war in American history.  It was a war fought to preserve the union after the southern states seceded from the United States of America, thereby forming the Confederate States of America.  When we are taught about the civil war as children, we all tend to consider ourselves northerners.  The southerners supported slavery and we all know that is wrong and evil so they must be wrong and evil.  This statement could not be further from the truth.  

Many confederate soldiers believed that the cause they were fighting for was just.  They were not fighting to protect slavery.  Ninety percent of the south did not own slaves.  The soldiers who did not own slaves were certainly not fighting for the rights of the wealthy plantation owners who did own slaves.  They were fighting for liberty from what they perceived as an invading army.  The soldiers fought for their families at home, and to protect the ideals they held dear.  

Today American soldiers fight overseas in various dangerous locations such as Iraq or Afghanistan.  These soldiers are not fighting for oil or any other political reason.  They fight because they wan to create a world where their families and the families of other good Americans can be safe from any threat.  Many of them are perceived by the natives of those countries to be invaders coming to take over much like the Union soldiers were perceived in the southern states.  

The image depicts one modern soldier paying respect to the memories of the fallen Confederate soldiers.  He is not paying respect to slavery.  He is respecting his fellow Americans who also fought for what they perceived as a just cause.  He is respecting how many of them died to protect their families and their rights just like many modern soldiers today.  The image shows that even though the confederate soldiers seceded they will always be Americans.

Civil War Re-Enactment

In today's world, technology is increasing at a very rapid pace. Almost everyone owns a smartphone, a Xbox, a laptop and an HDTV. Technology is so important to today's society that most people wouldn't know what to do without it. People can access their email, internet, camera, and much more just by reaching into their pockets. It is very quick and efficient way to do things. Also, kids these days spend a lot of time on Xbox. They sit inside an will sometimes play for hours on end. The technology of Xbox is also designed to get Live, a way of gaming that allows one to be online and play other people who are also on Live. These things are so easily accessible that they have been said to make the youth of today's world less socially active. They are trying to get through things too fast and don't know how to socially interact or to enjoy the little thinks in life with other people.
The visual that I have chosen takes place at Manzita High Mountain Rendezvous. People come from all over the country to come re-enact this wonderful event in California. The photographer, Peter Boyler, captures this man in this picture perfectly. Since the man is re-enacted an event from way back in the day, this means he won't have any technology. Yet he seems happy. By looking at this photograph, one can see how having riches and wealth doesn't always lead to a happy life. Sometimes living in a very simplistic world can make one really appreciate his or her surroundings. The man appears to be slowing things down with a smile on his face. He looks like he is just taking in the sun's UV rays. This is proof that technology is not needed as much as people depend on the. This man looks very peaceful and not worried about whats gonna happen in the future but more of what is happening in the moment. So even though new technology is coming out everyday for a while, it will not make one happier.

Behind the Iron Curtain

            We as citizens of the United States take for granted our freedoms guaranteed by our government. We sometimes fail to realize other people around the world are not so lucky. People who live in countries controlled by communism are unable to live free lives as we in the U.S. do. They are manipulated by their government and cannot even practice their freedom of speech without fear of being punished. Communism today is not nearly as severe as communism used in the 20^th century. However, it is still a government with oppresses its public with its military might and scare tactics to keep the population under control.

            This photograph is a fine example of communism’s power and control. It features three soldiers standing guard in front of a portrait of Mao Zedong at Tianamen Square in Beijing, China. The soldier in the middle of the three is holding up a hand to the photographer who is trying to take a picture of the building and the portrait of Mao Zedong. This shows the control and absolute power of the communist government in China. The soldiers censor and control what tourists and citizens can show to the public. They use fear of their power to take control over the general population. The posture of the men also reflects the government. They stand very stern and official which shows a sort of “take no crap” attitude. Communism does not take kindly to free thinkers and people who “rock the boat.” Whoever does will disappear or be severely punished.

            Communism, though a dying breed is still a very serious problem many countries face today. The absolute power of the government manipulates what the population sees and believes. It exposes the public to propaganda and delivers false messages to make the public believe what the government wants them to. This photograph reminds us just how lucky we are to have the freedoms we take for granted.

 http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/10/behind-the-curtains-of-modern-communism/

Hoping for Gold

In this photo from the Barcelona Olympics, the contestant is clearly anticipating his final scores. The suspense he feels is portrayed well through his stance and facial expression. The anticipation and hope behind this expression are inspired by the will to win. He wants to win for himself, his team, and his country. All of the encouragement received up to this point depends on these results. This one point determines if he is the loser or the winner.  

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2012/images/07/12/leifer.olympics/lg.09.jpg

His hands in a prayer motion are a symbol of his hope and possibly his faith. It is as if he is praying for a win; and praying not to disappoint his country, or more importantly himself. Making it to the Olympics and coming so close to achieving all your dreams is some serious pressure captured in a split second snapshot. The clinched jaw forcing a nervous smile, the tight, anxious stance, the tense facial expression, and the prayer positioned hands all suggest that this contestant has a lot riding on the results. The results could make or break him. Working as hard as he did to get as far as he did in this sport could potentially destroy his confidence or satisfy his thirst to win. Another compelling aspect of this photograph is the number of people in the crowds behind him. This dense crowd suggests that this event is more than just a qualifier, but possibly a final. A final would imply that a lot more is at stake than just simply a qualifying race which would occur rather early and attract less of a crowd. The large crowd also means that he is putting on this show for all of the audience. They are all there to see him either win or fail. As mentioned previously, hope is another key component in this photo. The contestant himself represents his country, and the hope his country has for a medal due to the "USA" printed on his uniform. Overall, this photograph represents, hope, hard work, anticipation, and inspiration through his body language, the crowds, and his representation of his country. 

How "Sweet" Hardwork Is

http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/26/re-enacting-a-simpler-way-of-life/


This is a picture of a family from a simpler time.  However, this photo is obviously recent.  Each person is wearing clothing that resembles someone that was beginning to settle the West.  The boots are most likely deer hide in that deer were the most popular animal hunted.  The suspenders show that the settlers are doing hard manual labor.  Suspenders are meant to hold pants up while someone is working hard.  The flanal shirts symbolize the simplicity of the times where flanal was the shirt of typical farmers.  The only girl in the photo is wearing a dress that comes past her shins.  In this time period modesty was the only fashion.  The hats are are there to keep the sun off their faces while working in the fields.  Each person is wearing some type of beads that would resemble those of the Native Americans.  Trading was encouraged with Native Americans to show peace.  These beads show that this family was at peace with the Native Americans in the area.  Settling the West would prove to be one of the toughest challenges that this country has faced.  In the background of the photo is an oak tree and a tent.  The tent is under the shade of the tree.  The prairie can get very hot and these trees, some rare, provided great breaks from the heat.  The tent is that made of some sort of canvas.  The tent is very basic and supported by sticks.  The tent and settlers are sitting on prairie grass.  Prairie grass grows everywhere in the West.  It provides a soft area to relax and set up camp.  The sticks that the settlers are holding are potentially used to fend of rattlesnakes or any other unwanted creature.  The stick can also double as a walking stick.  The facial expressions of the settlers are serious.  They are focused on the task ahead and must be serious to be able to do everyday tasks.  These settlers are hard workers and have to overcame challenges everyday to be able to survive.

Oyster Crisis

"Arthur Etienne Jr. hangs his head over the side of the Lady Pamela. He worries that if oyster populations don't improve, he'll be forced to move. (Bryan Thomas)"

            The BP oil spill has a lasting impact upon the people who used the Gulf of Mexico for livelihood. The oil spill has still caused a decrease in the oyster production. This decrease directly affects the profit of the oyster fisheries in the area. Many of the fishers in the area have therefore seen hard times that have yet to get better. These hard times have caused many of the fishers to move to other areas or to change jobs. The oyster decrease has caused hopelessness and worry to spread among the people of the Gulf of Mexico. Many have had to leave the area due to the decreased sea-life available for capturing. They have moved elsewhere and taken some of the profits to the area with them. This has caused a decreased economy in the area and has so decreased the money allotted to tourism advertisement.

            The image shows a man with his head bent looking over the water. It can easily be assumed that he is on his boat. The bend of the man’s head speaks of someone who is weary. Also, it conveys that he is having troubling times. The lighting of the image also helps to convey the hopelessness of the man through the dark corners and the greys used in the image. This man appears to be representative of the people who depended upon the Gulf of Mexico as a way to sustain their life. The boat looks in great need of repair and it can be inferred that the money for repair cannot be gained. Looking at the sides of the image, oyster baskets cannot be seen. This indicates the trip has been very unfruitful and will result in an unhappy outcome for the fisherman. The caption to the photo indicates that the man may have to leave like so many others have had to.

Click here to see image in original place

Incarceration

When a crime has been committed people want justice, so the criminal is caught and put to jail for the wrong that was done and that is the end of it. What people do not realize is what happens to the convicted person after jail time. What about the family that is left behind when a mother is incarcerated? How do inmates who have seen the error of their ways transition out of the system? Dana Ullman, a freelance photographer from New York, opened the eyes of her viewers in her photos of women after they were released from prison. Her photographs tell a story of the women that were institutionalized and their difficulty in transitioning out of prison.

In picture two can see a woman returning home after what seemed like a difficult day by the amount of worry and utter defeat in the woman’s face.  One can see the melancholy facial expression and the tired body language from a possible long day of rejection after rejection from employers. Without a job it is impossible for this woman to provide for herself which could possibly cause her to return to crime ultimately getting her arrested again. In picture four a woman is standing in front of a store looking as if overwhelmed or confused as of what she should do. This could have been from being institutionalized at a young age when she had not yet developed shopping skills.

Being institutionalized hinders many women from functioning like everyone else outside of prison like finding a job or being able to shop for the necessities for their children. People may think that if the consequences are too great then the criminal shouldn't have done the crime in the first place. What people may also be unaware of is that people can get arrested for something as small as property and drug crimes. So is this really justice if the innocent is also punished.

http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/22/convicted-women-start-over/

Baseball, More Than a Sport a Way of Life

In the Dominican Republic baseball is more than just a game it is a way of life.  In the Dominican Republic poverty is an issue so baseball for the people to relax at the same time show off their skill to others.  In the photo of the child holding two worn out baseballs represents the meaning of baseball in the Dominican Republic to the audience.  This photo communicates to the audience the differences between American baseball and more poverty struck nations. 

                The gray blurred out background shifts the focus immediately highlights the arm holding the baseball.  Also the image is in black of white.  These colors display the poverty in the Dominican Republic by appealing to the viewer’s emotions in creating a feeling of sympathy for the child.

The baseball it’s self serves much meaning.  Being in center of the photo the baseball is depicted as a symbol of hope to the people.  The reader can deduce from the photo that baseball is what the people turn to when times are bad.  It helps the Dominican Republicans forget about all the bad times as they just focus and play.  In America baseball is played in some cases for the money.  In the Dominican Republic it is played for the love of the game, and in return this creates better players.

The baseball is not only a symbol of hope but it shows the Dominican Republic’s poverty as well as their love for the game.  The baseball is worn out shows to the audience has been used very well.  It shows the poverty because it is an old ball, possibly because of the lack of funds to buy another one.  The love of the game is apparent due to the absence of equipment.  The lack of equipment shows the audience, that the people of the Dominican Republic just need a ball and a bat to play.

The photo shows the audience that baseball in an outlet for the people of the Dominican Republic.  It does this by simply showing a child hoping a baseball.  The baseball is the star of the photo and is a symbol for hope for the people.

http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/20/dominican-republic-the-baseball-factory/

Image #10

Blood Soaked Sorrow

This particular photo was taken in Zimbabwe, Africa illustrating the hunting practices that take place, both legal and illegal. This image captures the brutality and violence of hunting elephants. The photo is taken at an angle that hardly shows the elephant but only the tusk. The feet that are shown are significant because they appear to be a child's feet covered in blood. This represent how in Zimbabwe it  is not an uncommon act and even children are exposed to this. There is something very raw about this photo, the dusty ground contrast with the bright red blood in a way that is somewhat alarming. This image screams of violence from first glance. Not only does the blood soaked ground project a sense of gore and brutality but the tusk creates a feeling of sadness. The whole elephant is not shown because it does not need to be shown, the tusk speaks for itself. There is more of an impact made by not uncovering the whole picture, there is more left to the imagination.

 Blood soaked feet are something generally seen from a horror because they project danger and death in our minds. The fact that boy is standing uncaring in a pool of blood has a carnal, barbaric aspect to it that would make someone think this is from prehistoric times. This image was meant to incite a feeling of shock and disgust which uncovers the photographers purpose of sending the message that this is wrong. The very nature of this photo is gritty, dirty and gruesome. The blood dripping down the tusk of the elephant and the way the blood is pooled around on the ground creates a feeling of finality that comes after a violent struggle. This photograph is sad in a way that there is nothing that can be done now to help this animal. But the point of the photograph after all was to strike sadness into the viewers and create action.

More than Meets the Eye

Pictures are becoming a more efficient type of media to get the reality of the world out to the common man. Tomas van Houtryve’s photo depicts the communist oppression and secrecy in China. The first thing one would notice about the picture is the guard in the middle holding his hand up to the picture attempting to stop pictures from being taken of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. This presents the fact that the inner workings and source of Communism in China is very secretive and “forbidden” to the public. The large, wooden, heavily guarded, closed gates in front of every entrance present the fact that the government wants to keep their ideals private. The fact that one is not allowed to even take pictures of the city is absurd and shows the secrecy of such a government. The Communist uniforms and palace are laced in red and gold which in China stands for happiness, purity, prosperity, and good luck. This is ironic because Communism has most commonly been known to be more of a negative and oppressive type of government. This suggests that one of Communism’s strategies is deceitfulness and they try to make it appear as though the people of China are happy under the oppression of the Communist government. The next thing that stands out in the picture is the portrait of Mao (the founder of the People’s Republic of China) in the center of the palace. This shows the loyalty of the government of Communism and how much they idolize their leaders. Although on paper Communism presents itself to give a lot of power to the people, in reality they turn most of their power to their leader. The portrait exemplifies this statement. This picture was taken to show that there might be more than meets the eye when it comes to such topics such as Communism.     

 

Storms in Nebraska

Camille Seaman’s “LP Supercell” photograph is a panoramic view of the beautiful but deadly storms that hit the Midwest each year. Usually, Seaman works with icebergs and the disappearance that the climate has caused, but she wanted to see the effect climate change was having on different parts of the world. Seaman’s photographs illustrate the interconnectivity of all things in the world by showing the frightening power of a single storm cloud. The photographs use of light contrast and rule of thirds composition convey the monstrosity of the storm and capture the brilliance and power of Mother Nature.

The photograph captures the storm’s raw power and intensity by focusing on the strong contrast between the light shades of the sky and the dark ominous cloud looming over Nebraska. By focusing on the sky’s contrast, the dark shades of the cloud in the photograph imply the clouds ruthlessness. Also, it conveys to the audience how quickly the storm is moving to cover up what was once a beautiful sky. The light shades behind the cloud contrast the deep ominous tones and illustrate the brilliance and beauty that the storm is disturbing. The sunlight also reflects against the cloud revealing the depth of the storm causing the photograph to become more 3-dimensional. By adding depth to the photograph the storm becomes more real to the audience and through depth reveals the magnitude of the storm. By focusing on the contrast between light and dark shades in the sky, the photograph captures the power, size, and agility the storm possesses.  

Furthermore, the rule of thirds composition in the photograph displays the cloud as the focal point. The majority of the picture is the sky, which illustrates the dominance of the cloud in the scene. As well as, the large size of the cloud implies supremacy over the land and astonishment that the cloud could be so huge, especially compared to the miniscule farm at the bottom of the photo. The cloud commands respect in the photograph because it is the focal point, and the audience is naturally drawn to it. But, it also illustrates to the audience that the cloud has the power in the situation and that the small farm and little sunlight are insignificant once the storm unleashes its weapons.

The photograph, “LP Supercell” by Camille Seaman, uses light contrast and rule of thirds composition to show the chaos of the storm and also captures the brilliance and power of the Earth. By photographing the big storms, the audience can see the outcome of climate change and the interconnectivity of all aspects in the world. 

The Secrets That Serve to Protect

In recent times, scandals involving the United States Secret Service have been brought into the mainstream news. Information regarding inappropriate behavior and use of government resources has been widely circulated throughout different new outlets. Charles Ommanney, a photographer, who has had a long history with the White House, captured an image of a Secret Service member, which reveals the nature of the jobs they have. The photograph taken by Ommanney suggests that the jobs of Secret Service members is rigorous and involves an immense amount of coordination and structure, while still appearing very mysterious.

 The clean cut image of the service man’s head shows the structure and coordination required for the job. Not only is the man’s suit in perfect condition, but his hair line looks freshly trimmed and not a single strand appears out of place. This suggests that the man appearance is perfect, which relates to the structure involved with the job. The individuals belonging to the Secret Service always appear in a certain manner. Nothing about the man’s appearance seems out of place. In addition the ear piece suggests that a lot of coordination is involved in the job. Instead of having a phone or some other device to communicate with, the Secret Service member has an ear piece in which he can constantly be gaining information.

  The role of the Secret Service is suggested to be mysterious yet challenging according to the photograph. The photographer only took a picture of the back of the head of this service member. His face is a mystery along with what he is currently doing. The role of the Secret Service is partially a mystery where the viewer is not supposed to know all of the secrets. All that can be seen is that the man is looking at a large blurry crowd. Since the crowd is blurry is suggests that it is so large that it would not be easy to watch all of it. If the man’s job is to watch the crowd, then it appears as though he has a very challenging job it since it would not be easy for one man to watch an entire crowd. 

The photograph by Charles Ommanney, serves to show the challenges associated with being a Secret Service member. The photo suggests that their jobs require a tremendous amount of coordination, structure and secrecy. 

       

http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/30/composition-of-the-secret-service/

Continued Hardship

            In April of 2011, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill simultaneously devastated the ecosystem of United States’ Gulf Coast and the hundreds of thousands of men that rely on it as a source of income. This photograph of an unknown oysterman deftly conveys the overall feeling of despair that has continued to afflict so many people since the fateful malfunction. Back tuned, face hidden, this particular man becomes a symbol for the fishing industry as a whole. With his downward gaze, a true signal of defeat and hardship, this universal figure embodies the photograph’s caption, “Oystermen still plagued by gulf oil spill”, communicating to the viewer just how burdensome the effects of the aforementioned plague are on the members of the industry.

The figure’s outstretched grasp on the poles along side him appears to be one of exhausted resignation as it is paired with a solemnly hung head.  His position of utter surrender gives the viewer further insight into just how difficult things have become for the many people that this environmental disaster has affected. At the same time, the unknown seafarer’s bowed head casts a, no doubt, grave look upon the water on which he depends so heavily, and which has failed him in a time when he needs it the most.

            The almost panoramic view of the horizon in the distance seems to be indicative of the unforeseeable future that awaits the innocent individuals dealing with these unlucky circumstances. Here, it is a representation of the promise of tomorrow and the eventual recovery from the oil spill that has tarnished the livelihoods of so many people. The faceless oysterman’s position in relation to the horizon hints at a positive turn of events along the way. While the outer edges appear dark and mysterious, the central point of the horizon emits a faint, promising light that provides a feeling of hope for the future of the horrible situation at hand.

http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/19/oystermen-still-plagued-by-gulf-oil-spill/