Week 8 Discussion Topic: Photography and Special Effects in Early Film(Leah M)

This music is killing my ears. Who ever chose that soundtrack needs to be fired. I am not a movie fan so I guess I won’t appreciate it like a person who is into movies/ cinema. What am I really looking for? Some one please help me. Ok let me look a second time. After doing some research and looking at the video one more time I found out that this film was based on a few novels and some astronauts travelling to the moon in a capsule. When they finally landed on the moon, the moon had some human features which is creepy, but I guess it is what it is. I’m must say a lot of work went into this film with all those special effects to make them be as real as possible.

Week 9 Discussion Topic: Rock Star Food Behind the Scenes (Leah M)

Looking at the pictures taken by Henry Hargreaves speaks a lot of volume of each of the individuals personality. One picture that stuck in my head was Busta Rhymes requesting  “Twenty-four pieces of fried chicken,( why is that fried chicken so brown?) Rough Rider condoms, Guinness.” Hmm well he sure is a party animal and at least he practices safe sex. (well hopefully). It seems like so many of these performers are kinky with odd request like KY Jelly, too much info.Man next time keep that to yourself. Some of these request I find a bit over board and some of these people request those things just to be mean or bossy. Let’s take Rihanna for example “Hard-boiled eggs, turkey bacon, turkey sausage, at any time throughout the day. Please be prepared!” why would you want that through out the day and she made sure she warned you to be prepared. Well hello there. Then you have the sophisticated Mariah Carey who still has her soft side with her request of  “Cristal Champagne, bendy straws.” so after all not all these performers go over board or just be plain old mean. How ever it is very interesting to see what they eat. I guess after all they’re human. Right? Oh how could I forget the heavy drinker Frank Sinatra. I can’t believe one person can request so much liquor. How was he able to perform? Oh and what was Nine inch nails doing with all that corn starch? Fantastic job done by Hargreaves.

 

(Leah. M) Week 10 Discussion Topic: Robert Capa and the Greatest War Photograph

If my memory serves me right in class that day some were of the opinion that the photograph was staged. I don’t mind being the only cheese to stand alone and say I believe it is as authentic as authentic can get. I picture this as the soldier running and being attacked from behind hence the reasoning for him falling this way. Why would the photographer put himself in harms way to capture that shot? When you have a passion for something, you tend to lose focus of reality at times, some may even risk losing their lives in that process. Does authenticity matter? Yes and no. Most people would rather be reading or looking at stuff that is genuine. There are times when you cannot capture those photographs in the moment it takes place, but you are given a general idea as to what it is like and you now have to use your imagination to figure it out. The problem is some people are to lazy and just love being spoon fed and don’t want to make their brain cells work. There is nothing wrong with doing a little research every now and then and too see exactly what message the person is trying to bring forth to you the receiver. I was convinced by his arguments. Is either you accept it or you don’t. It was also confirmed in the Spanish government’s archives that Borrell had been killed in battle at Cerro Muriano on September 5, 1936. How much more convincing can this get?

 

(Leah. M) Week 11: The New American Dustbowl: Documenting California’s Drought

It seems like these farmers in Central Valley , California, forgot about everything that happened back in 1930 the Dust Bowl and what had happened. When land is farmed for several years and not given a chance to rest, eventually you will end up with the situation currently taking place in Central Valley. I won’t say that Americans are not aware of the drought conditions in California and the impact on our agricultural supply.They are aware of it. When you go to the vegetables stands, the price of everything has gone up. For example about 3 years ago I could have gone to the fruits and vegetables stand in my neighborhood and purchase a bunch of broccoli for $1.00. I no longer pay $1.00 but $2.50. One of the main reasons for this is because of supply and demand. There is a high demand, but a low supply due to the water crisis these farmers are faced with. So if you are a conscience shopper like me you will be aware of the change in price items. So I don’t think that is a fair statement (just my opinion).                                                                    The photograph comparison to FSA photography is quite accurate. It brings you right back to that time of the dust bowl. A very sad situation indeed but that’s what happens when the land is not given time to rest. It will eventually give up the ghost. Everyone loses in that situation. Crops are lost, livestock dies, such a sad sad sad situation. I’m praying for rain for Central Valley California.

Week 12: Hands Up, Don’t Shoot: Photographs from #Ferguson (Leah M)

While reading the two articles, I can understand why a certain group of people can hate. Personally I believe that some of the forced used in Ferguson was a bit to extreme. In the article, Behind the Best Pictures From Ferguson, With Getty Photographer Scott Olson I tried imagining first hand what it felt like being there in person. In my opinion it seemed like a war zone. It brought me back to the memories of operation Iraqi freedom with all those photos popping up on my television. It certainly is not a nice feeling. After reading that article,and seeing all the news coverage, the photos being posted on social media made me believe that down in Ferguson was a war zone. “Ferguson the war against Americans”. Now to compare the incident which took place at Kent State on May 4th 1970 there was so much similarity and that of all the rioting taking place in Ferguson. The body of Michael Brown laying on the ground after being shot by police and the body of Jeffrey Miller which laid in the streets from a single bullet he too meet his fate at the hands of a national guardsman.Reading the two articles brought me right back into history.                      Considering the photos taken by Scott Olson during the early days in Ferguson and that of John Filo famous Kent State photograph and the events of May 4, 1970 brought us back to what our forefathers fought for. Martin Luther must be rolling in his grave.  On the other hand the I can understand why such a stance was taken in Ferguson by the police and national guardsmen after the verdict was given in the Michael Brown case. The police department and all knew that without a guilty verdict there would be a lot of blood shared. I don’t agree with the manner in which they tried restoring peace over there (tear gas, rubber bullets etc.) The looting in Ferguson by the protesters was uncalled for. One can protest without breaking any law and still get their point across. We continue to live in a world of injustice. Black lives sure does matter.

Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man

 

 

Leah M. Why does it look delish?

On the last Sunday in October, the french speaking islands in the Caribbean celebrate international creole day. Being away from home, my family celebrates this day just as we would if we were back in St.Lucia. We prepared food that you would find at the creole festival. Food items such as Pig foot souse, stewed local fowl, lambi (conch) stew pork, black pudding (blood sausage), penny piece, smoke herrings, green fig and salt fish which is the national dish of St.Lucia by the way and lots more. I chose this particular dish prepared by me so my family could enjoy which they did. The dish featured is pig foot souse with a cool cucumber salad. The sourness from the limes squeezed in the cucumber salad and the crushed garlic and salt brought out more flavor in the pig foot. Also in the pig foot souse which is salted overnight, washed the following morning, seasoned and boiled for an extended period of time. Lemon or lime juice is also included in the pig foot. You  will not regret trying it. You may just love it. You can enjoy this dish with local bread, baked in outdoor ovens and local drinks such as passion fruit, golden apple, tamarind and my favorite lime squash just  to name a few.

Pig foot souse prepared by Leah M.

pig foot souse

Around the world, breakfast, photography.

Growing up in the Island of St.Lucia breakfast was very important in our household. My mom made it her duty to wake up very early every morning to prepare her three kids and husband a healthy breakfast. When I entered Secondary school which is known as high school in the US, breakfast went out the door. I had no time to sit and eat anymore or maybe I just felt to grown to indulge in such. A good breakfast would consist of some porridge (oat meal, corn meal, cream of wheat), a fruit, or weetabix cereal, or eggs with bacon, tomatoes , lettuce etc. There were days when my mom would make bake and salt fish, or fried bakes and smoke herrings. We had a choice of fresh fruit or yogurt. Breakfast as many would agree is the main meal of the day. Even our teachers would emphasize on the importance of having a well balance breakfast. After moving to the USA breakfast became extinct in my daily life. For e.g. there are days it’s already 11:30a.m. and then I remembered oh boy I have not even had hot water on my stomach, by then my tummy is speaking in tongues. I have paid a severe price for skipping the most important meal of the day. Now I try my best to have something light even if it is just a fruit or yogurt, or glass of milk or orange juice. Something that would keep me until I am ready to have my lunch.

bake with saltfishBake and Salt fish

 

weetabix weetabix for breakfast

 

 

 

 

Leah Morgan: Food texture

Growing up in the Caribbean I had the privilege of eating fresh fruits daily. We had an abundance of fruit and a variety from mango, tamarinds, banana, carambola, ackee, soursop to name a few. Texture played a big role for me. For me to enjoy my fruits they would have to be firm and sweet. If they were soft a mushy I wouldn’t dare to venture there. Certain foods like wise for instance rice, must be cooked grainy in order for me to enjoy the dish. In my opinion the texture of the food will play a great outcome in the end result of the dish you will end up with. Also certain recipes will call for certain textures for e.g. Banana bread will require crushed bananas. Unless you’re a baby and require your foods to be crushed. I also think that texture sells food. If you’re baking a fruit cake for some one, when you cut a slice of cake then you should be able to see the pecans, cherries, raisins etc. if you don’t see any then you don’t have a fruit cake.  Texture also changes the taste of food. If you have a mango that is all mushy it will not have the same flavor as a mango that is perfectly ripe and a little hard and soft at the same time. Texture determines the type of fruits I would purchase. The following pictures: A firm Julie mango and and tamarind ball.

 

mango julie tamarind balls

Leah Morgan Civil War – Food or Coffee

As a food lover I would have to say that I would give up coffee. For me food is life. I do drink coffee but once a blue, so I won’t be really missing it. Where as food for me is life, coffee for these soldiers was life. It was a bit disturbing reading that when they were desperate for a drink of coffee they would even brew the coffee in the water their horses rejected. We have a lot to be thankful for. Consuming coffee saved lives back then in the civil war. What caught my attention where there was no coffee and they would substitute coffee with roasted corn, rye and chopped beets. They got that brown colored brew but minus the coffee. I would do the same thing if I had to go without food. I would find some means, some way to provide myself with something that would nourish me or hold me until I could do better.The soldiers probably thanked GOD for hardtak and coffee,soldiers only knew ration food, salted beef etc, but thankfully I can enjoy a plate of baked macaroni and cheese, some seasoned rice, steam veggies, potato salad, lentils and baked pork chop. With that said I would have to part ways with coffee and enjoy myself a nourishing home cook meal.

 

plate of food

 

 

Leah Morgan. Taking pictures of food.

Long before I started this class or even read the article taking pictures of food was one of my ways of advertising.I have always loved cooking and entertaining. On a weekend my apartment would be filled with friends and family who all came for the same reason. To savor some delicious Caribbean dishes they have not had in a long time. One day I decided to take it further. I decided rather than giving food away for free I will offer my friends these meals at a fraction of the cost than what they would have paid on the streets. One of my ways of advertising was Facebook. I took pictures of the food that I had prepared and told them this is what they can get if they came to my home. This was my break through. I went a step further by also sharing photos of my cakes that I made in the past, and as a result I got more customers. I have dedicated a few albums on my fb page for just my food and cake. Every now and then I get people sending me questions can you please help me with a recipe or tell me why my food don’t look or taste like yours. I enjoy taking pictures of food because I show people you don’t have to be in St. Lucia to enjoy a good St. Lucian meal. Most of my pictures are taken with my Iphone 4S. I’m due for an upgrade, but as for now I’m quite content with the quality of photos I get.

 

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