Spring 2013 History of Photography

Both photographers send messages about the life of an American during the 1950’s. There’s evidence show the racial look upon black and white people during that time. People did have different views and refused to look at the work but the photographs really shows life. Frank’s idea of taking photos is “point, shoot and move along”, which is a good way of taking photos because sometimes its the random photos that makes the photograph worth 1000 words. Counts photograph of Hazel show the racial discrimination during this time, it shows how the American life isn’t equal to everyone who lives there. So they were efficient in sending out the message with there photos of the American life during the 1950’s.

JR work is amazing to look and also to be apart of because it shows the portraits of the people who live in the community. The good thing is that there is no charge to be apart of his project, all that is needed is you face for the portrait shot. With this being free is a plus but what makes it better is that all the photos taken are high resolution portraits and end up on a wall in the community that it was taken in. This project gives a sense of being supportive towards your community because your creating art by allowing JR to post his photographs of yourself. I thinking creating one in a avenue areas in my community would be nice and doing this same portrait project, this way when people are walking along the avenue they can observe and probably see people they may know who was apart of this creative project by JR.

Looking at the video, gallery and article I believe Hetherington tried to get images to show the true side of being a soliders. In the trailer documentary the responses from the soliders was all about being a unity and to not letting your composer get into the way of things. Everybody know soliders are heros and Hetherington in the documentry probably tried to get the different thoughts that probably go through these soliders minds and how it can play a major role to be expressed in his photos. In the Yossi Milo Gallery, you can see that some of the photos were based on there sleeping postions and what they did when they weren’t out in war. He showed no fear in getting the photos he needed to portray the Modern day War.

Junger said that Hetherington had a very specific vision for his work. I think Hetherington’s unique vision was refer to the way he used when he photographing. Because when I went over to Hetherington’s photographs at the Yossi Milo Gallery website, i found out that he captured his object from the angle we don’t usually see. The angle was different than usual which not directly point at the object. He therefore made the image looks more interesting. As Hetherington used his special angle to captured his object, it kind of suggested us that we should used different angle to seeing those war and people who fighting in the war. For my point of view, I can’t tell that whether Hetherington’s work was heroic or not. Because i had the sense that he was really working hard in his object, and used his special vision to tell the public what’s the war and people like in modern-day war. Perhaps people seeing these pictures might understand the reality of the war.Then the public pushing those war away. The effect of such pushing will be very great.

I think both are effective. He tried to show photographs of things that are uncommon. He showed photographs of people who were not living the American dream that many people dreamed of. Nobody had any interest in it because it was different. But I think because it was different, it was more effective to me. All Frank did was photograph non stop and didn’t care if people was staring or not. He was not discouraged when people did not like his book, instead he got it published elsewhere. I think because Frank took pictures of all the African Americans, his pictures were more general. He did not limit it to just females or just males. Count’s new photograph also is effective because you can clearly see the facial expression of Hazel. You can see through her expression that she is really disgusted having Elizabeth in her school. I think although  many know this is happening, for it to be captured is another feeling.

I think this is a good way to combine street art and photography. Hearing  street art, we all think of graffiti on walls.  He used a smart way to combine both together.  It is interesting and can let people interact with each other. It doesn’t matter what race, age or ethnicity you are, you can participate. It is not limited to people, but anyone and everyone who is interested can participate. I like this idea because it captures many different emotions of people. And because it is black and white, it makes these pictures seem more united as one. If there was color, the effect would be really different. When I first saw someone these pictures, I couldn’t help but giggle at some of the expressions they had. These pictures are pictures that make you smile when you walk pass by it. I think it also connects the people of the community together. People would probably talk to one another asking if they took the picture. They would be able to laugh about the silly poses they made. I think for my community it would be a good idea to have a photographic wall of how the trains use to look. The area where I live has train tracks above the ground and over the streets. It would be interesting to see how the trains use to look and how the area has changed. 

I think it is very cool to make this kind of Inside out project on street, becuase I haven’t see it before. Also, I think JR is very cool that he allowing the public to participate with him on an art project for free, that he wants people to get involve in his art project. By comparing JR with the other artists, I don’t think many of the artists would allow people to participate in their work, and they just like people to look at their work. Moreover, he wants people in all over the world or city to take their portraits photographs and send it to him inorder to makes this project, which is great. Because I don’t see that many artists did that also. And it can be lets people to knows that all people in this world and society are equare. But one thing that I don’t like is, people might walk through these photographs on the street, which is little bit disrespectful.

I think Hetherington wants to show how soldiers feel at war and their life. I think people just thought Hetherington wanted to show the patriotic side of people. Although they are are war, they still have many emotions. They are human and will also feel scared and afraid of war. In most movie about U.S soldiers, they are usually shown as patriotic and a hero. They are shown this way because they are fighting for their country. If you die or survive you still become a hero in the eyes of others. I think the movies want to try and make Americans seem as heros. They want people to believe they are heroid for fighting and protecting the country they love. In the photos of the soldiers sleeping, it made them seem like many other people. They have times where they are regular human who also need sleep. Although they are soliders, they are still human who have everyday necessities. Usually war photography makes me think of it as a documentary. Or maybe they want to show the other side of soldiers being emotional also.