Announcement: REMINDER-Final on 12/17 at 10 AM and Grades

Christian Marclay, still from The Clock, 2010

Christian Marclay, still from The Clock, 2010

Reminder! The Final Exam is tomorrow 12/17 at 10 AM. BE ON TIME! Please arrive on time so that you do not miss any part of the test. I am reposting  the terminology for Part IV of the exam. Please review the last post for the format of the exam.

Vocabulary: define 3 terms, 5 points each. Choose only 3 terms to discuss. I will list the following 6 art/photographic movements:

Dada
Group f.64
Surrealism
Social Landscape
New Topographics
Pictures Generation

Write a few complete sentences defining the movement and give an example.

At this point, you can go onto Blackboard to look at your current grade status.  If you look at the column “Average to Date”, you will see your grade average without the final exam.  If  your average is 45 or above, it is likely that you will pass the course, assuming you do okay on the final.  For averages that fall in the 40-45 range, you will need to score a B on the final in order to pass the course. For averages that fall below 40, it is likely that you will fail the course.

Final grades are determined by your final average (as per the syllabus). The range is listed below:

A     93-100
A-    90-92.9
B+   87-89.9
B      83-86.9
B-    80-82.9
C+   77-79.9
C     70-76.9
D     60-69.9
F      59.9 and below

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Robert Capa and the Greatest War Photograph

Robert Whelan pointed out some interesting points about capa’s photograph being staged but still I believe this image is definitely not staged. This image seems real because the way he falls to the ground is similar to how someone would actually fall if that person were shot—shocked and imbalanced. There is a full strength from the bullet that would cause the person to fall forcefully. It looks dramatic and the victim is not holding the gun properly because he was caught off guard. It is almost impossible to pretend like the picture is being captured, that the photographer would capture such a pivotal moment. Then again the location of the picture does look like war, the background appears dark with smoke. Since wars usually occur is secluded areas, the scenery convinces that with the vast meadow. There is no blood around him and that is odd. This would conclude that the photographer took the picture at the exact moment he was shot, before he even started bleeding. He caught everything, the denial stage of his body from the undeniable horror and suffering.

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Is Arne Svenson’s Neighbors series an Invasion of Privacy?

We all want privacy in our lives and it is wrong to take pictures without getting permission from the person. It is creepy that someone is taking your picture without having your consent. Svenson’s photographs are absolutely violating his neighbor’s privacy. He has no right to take their pictures without having their permission. Maybe he does not have bad intentions when he took the pictures, maybe he is interested taking these pictures to see how people would react when people are not aware of anyone taking their pictures. I would feel the same way how the neighbors felt. I would definitely not like if someone capture my pictures without permission from me. I would sue the person just like the neighbors did. We have freedom of right, but that does not mean photographers could take pictures without having permission. These photographs are definitely invasion of privacy. These photographs would bring unwanted attention from the viewers of these pictures and the unknown models would feel infuriated. Imagine having a relative or stranger coming up to them and asking “I saw you in that photograph”. They most likely won’t want such publicity, especially from strangers. What they do in their daily life is their business and no one has the authority to invade that.

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The Art of Food Photography

We all love to take food pictures. We go to different places and every time we try new food, we prefer to capture the moment so that we can see it later. Npr’s slide show makes you want to buy the product. It is more clear, pretty and organized. Npr’s slide show will attract everyone’s attraction because it is colorful, looks real and also interesting to stare at. On the other side, the Robert Mann Gallery’s pictures are mainly taken at home. Most of the pictures are black and white. Most of the images are in the process of cooking. “Food portraits” by Irving Penn’s food pictures are raw. Most of the pictures are not cooked, mostly raw which may not be that interesting as Npr’s slide show.  Most of the pictures are mainly ingredients of the food. “Food portraits” by Irving Penn pictures are mainly taken before cooking the food. Robert Mann Gallery’s pictures are mainly taken at home. We all enjoy taking the food pictures in a different way although it is the same topic.

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The 2013-Year in Photography

I chose the picture in Bangladesh by Taslima Akhter. I am from Bangladesh so I felt an immediate connection and felt proud to see that Time Magazine has selected her photo as one of the top ten pictures from 2013. This picture shows the power of love and they literally want to be there for each no matter what. How they are willing to be with one another even when dying. Plenty of innocent poor labor workers died that day. This picture is too sentimental—infused with startling reality. She was stuck under the concrete and her love done could not protect her although he had tried his best to save her. If his power of love was not true he would probably walk away without saving her, but he had decided to stay with her even he could not save her. He decided to be with her in his last breath in his life. That is the beauty of documentary photography—it captures truth, as is, no matter how painful it is.

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Beauty in Decay-Photos of Detroit

I love the concept of beauty in decay and think these images truly are beautiful.  I think that nature adds a level of imperfection over time that man can’t replicate, this imperfection is natural and amazing to see.  The way these images were done, the artists were able to capture the inherent splendor in the current state of these structures.  It’s as though nature has put its own spin on what the original people who constructed these sites intended.  There is also beauty in the sadness that results from knowing that these places were once filled with people and emaculate.

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The 2013 Year in Photography

The first thing I notice in this list is the prevalence of images of catastophies, as the warning mentioned they create an emotional response.  While I do think these are amazing images and very well done, I would like to see more images of positive events as these are just as impactful.

The image that drew me in the most was Taslima Akhter’s Savah Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 24, 2013.  The timing is incredible to make the image speak volumes, I find myself especially drawn to the blood tear.  I like how the image brings human emotion and individuality to the catastrophe, making it more human.

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Beauty in Decay-Photos of Detroit

It’s difficult seeing the pictures of the once stable city of Detroit. Now Detroit is in bankruptcy and in a state of decay. The photographs captured what Detroit was before it all went down hill. It had what many other cities had such as hotels, doctor’s office, libraries, and many more. I think the photos are amazing since the two photographers were able to catch Detroit’s former glory as a city of prosperity. You can see that the architectures took their time crafting beautiful buildings that would make the city unique and stand out. Hopefully one day we’ll be able to bring Detroit back on its feet and build it as it once was.

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The 2013 Year in Photography

Documentary photography holds a vast amount of power. The power it holds is delegating, riveting and awakening. It has the power to dig into your soul based on what you are seeing. Out of TIME magazines top 10 photographs my favorite is the guy waving the Turkish flag collapsing from the tear gas. The power this image holds shows the pride in citizens. Even though there is tear gas and the guy is collapsing he is still holding his countries flag in his hand tall. The power documentary photography has allows you to feel what is occurring in the photograph. You can sort of feel the pain or heart that is in the photograph. Documentary photography makes you feel this way because it is real. There are vivid events.

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The Art of Food Photography

Food photography is great! I personally love food so why wouldn’t I love to see pictures of food. I enjoyed the pictures of food but I think food photography is all about the artists “eye” and how they want to portray the food. For example, some photographs of food appear appetizing and makes you want to eat it. Whereas, there are some photographs of food that does not highlight or thrive on the food. This is seen in Irving Penn’s Food Portraits. In my opinion, the photographs of food do not look appetizing or pleasing to the eye; it looks raw.

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