Author Archives: TAlphonso

homework #10

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Firstly, I would like to mention that I am absolutely appalled by some of the requests by musicians, but I do think that Hargreaves pictures were well executed. I think he definitely thought outside of the box by designing  his details to create a more over-the-top look. He thought of each detail really carefully and succeeded at the end result. Maybe it is because I love Beyonce, but I thought his idea of tearing pieces of the chicken apart and adding a few cloves of garlic was genius. Even with the Busta Rhymes request, with condom hanging from the glass of guinness was so exaggerated. I also really like the way he put together the request of Rihanna, it was very clean and classy looking. He highlighted the food in the glass by outlining it with shadows in the background, which I thought was very tasteful.

homework #9

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I think Robert Frank’s photos are not really artistic but they were raw and very straight forward. Most of his photos were a lot like the everyday life of pedestrians so his work capturing them were impressive, mainly because they all told a story. I understand that he was trying to expose everything that he was enlightened with, being that he was not an American so therefore to me his work was bleak. I think because he too was trying to understand  America and its diversity is what made his pictures so interesting. Nonetheless, Robert did a very good job shedding light on segregation through images and what seems to be the culture shown in each photo.

homework #5 Walker Evans

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I think Evan Clandestine approach to photography was very clever yet sneaky. He had not only an eye for art in photography, he also had an eye to be a spy. He got up close and personal pictures of people that were fully unaware that they were getting their pictures taken. I will also say that he was brave to take such risk and very skilled to not get caught. He was creative to have thought a picture that was off guard would become a success.He also  teamed with Helen Levitt who is known for taking daily routine pictures and making perfect art. Other than his skill in taking great pictures in the subway, he also has a lot of great pictures of people that did not have such a great life. He shed light on the lifestyles of families that did not have an easy life. I think one of the most common expression of todays’s riders that are similar to the riders’ expression during depression is that everyone sat or stood on the subway phased out and minding their own business. They looked unbothered and some looked tired or seem like they had a lot to carry on for the day. Not much has changed, everyone has the same attitude today on the subway. On their way to  and from their journey or on their way home, everyone is just ready to get off to the next stop. People use either a newspaper, book,gadgets and tablets, or music to keep them occupied as they wait. I am sure if Walker Evan attempts his same approach today there will be no difference in the way the riders’ look.

homework #6

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Breakfast Trini-Style ( fried bakes, sautéd sausages, porridge, fruit)

Breakfast is my favorite meal!! I am always excited to prepare and consume it. Some say it is the most important meal of the day and I could not disagree because it is my most important meal of the day. I was raised in Trinidad and we were taught as children that the word “break” in breakfast meant to break the fast after sleeping at night. Hence the reason we were forced to  drink a hot beverage. Perhaps it was a crime to have a cold drink.I remember hearing ” At this time you are drinking that cold drink, go put something hot on your stomach”.  There is no one that I know, that was raised in the Caribbean and can not relate to my story. However, as I am currently residing  in the U.S I learnt that breakfast is anything you can grab and go to eat on the way. Not only is it convenient for when in a rush, but it also fuels you enough to be energized and not too lazy to work. I personally hate it. I like having a full breakfast with all the nutrients that the body needs, which are proteins, carbohydrates,fat, vitamins and minerals, water and fiber. Unfortunately, I understand on a busy schedule this can be more of a disadvantage. Although I think your breakfast has to complement your lifestyle, on the other hand I do think the American version of breakfast is too sugary. Lucky charms? Cinnamon toast?, I eat those as a snack, I do not believe that can sustain anyone for a period of time. I can go on  and on about this topic but I just have to end with the fact that I dont think there should be a guideline on how one should eat and what should a person eat for breakfast. As long as it provides the essentials needed to complete your daily task and at the same time maintains your health, feel free to be adventurous with your choices.

homework #8

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After reading the biography of Robert Capa it confused me a little on whether to believe if it was staged or not because there was a lot of allegations based on that very famous picture taken during the Spanish Civil War. It confused my judgement because I have watched other pictures taken by Robert Capa and they seem authentic to me. However, after looking at both pictures in the article I questioned the authenticity of the picture. It looked staged because the picture beside Capa’s looked like someone that was in a war because of the grime and dirt on his clothing. The man had no control of his body judging from the the way it is thrown. Even his face looked like he was in pain or surprised by the hit. Then I looked at Caps’s photo and the man’s clothing looked at little too clean as if he had a change of clothes at war, and his body did not seem like it had received an unexpected hit. Because of my inability to decide whether Capa’s picture was fake or not right away, I do think authenticity matters because it helps to avoid all the accusations and alleged rumors. If one uses an original to duplicate or as inspiration to create something new I think it is okay, but if you are claiming something to be your own and especially to the public, I think they deserve to know the truth.

homework #7

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Food Photography today is very common and easy to  some of us that are highly skilled, down to some that what we may call a novice. I think from a professional aspect of driving sales, is the only thing that separates photography  for marketing from photography for art. They both may involve editing to perfect the end result depending on the intent. Apart from that they both need each to be as successful or outstanding. The form of art will naturally drive sales  or awareness, therefore I do not see much of their differences. As far as I see it, it is an art to be able to properly market anything, period. Just like the young girls that invented New Fork city, I doubt that they had a lot of marketing skills or even studied art as a major. It took very little knowledge and experience. All they used was an idea, and  because of their love for food or taking pictures of food, made it easy to express through pictures.To conclude, I do not prefer photography for marketing over photography for art because to me they both represent an expression of how one feels and how we envision food.

texture

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  • I think texture adds versatility to food and photography. It expands the creative level of a simple dish. I chose to present a simple pan fried eggplant that I made in my Culinary Arts 1 class two weeks ago. It advances the level of skill to a simple and inexpensive vegetable, by coating with layers of texture such as the smooth coating of flour, followed by a coating of thick egg wash, and then a layer of bread crumbs for a crispy , cromby and coarse exterior. Texture also aids to the appeal of the eye. By adding a variety of different textures to a plate, it helps to be photographed well.image

Tiffany Alphonso: Food and Coffee in the Civil War

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After reading the article on the soldiers from the civil war, I will have to say I am fascinated by the great importance of drinking coffee long ago. I am not a born American and I always    wondered why was coffee so important to the Americans. Now I have a better understanding that this culture has been adapted from the history of soldiers and it remained that way. If I had to choose between giving up food or coffee I will choose to give up coffee. Only because I am not a frequent coffee drinker. Coffee do not keep me up or do anything of that nature.  Perhaps,I drink coffee very rarely when I get the urge. However, I  am amazed by the extreme measure of how far soldiers went just to have some coffee. I never imagined coffee would be so highly praised and requested, especially during war. It was not only used to satisfy cravings but it earned the title of being used as a tool for war.In my opinion that idea is the unthinkable. Today I get to look at coffee in a different way,  and I am very enlightened  to have  learnt something new. The American culture appreciates good coffee. Like the slogan, ” America runs on Dunkin” it came from way back in the day and will forever be a favorite.

Tiffany Alphonso: Food Photography

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Firstly, I would like to mention that food is life. Food is a language used to unite  different cultures and for recreational purposes. Most people choose  to enjoy the company of friends and family or celebrate special occasions by dining out, so what better way to share your experiences than a photographic memory . I think taking pictures of food creates an illusion that one is having or has a spectacular life. Also it gives the audience of people looking at your photos an intimate feel of who you are. Taking pictures of foods and events are usually done so that one can look back and appreciate good times and also to cherish fulfilling moments. Photographs of food is also a great way to advertise the skill and creativity of the person that prepared and cooked it. Nowadays, people seem to be intrigued by the idea of trying new food trends and exotic foods, so snapping a picture to share will always be helpful to the viewers .

Baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, garlic shrimp and fresh salad ... Made at home 😊

Baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, garlic shrimp and fresh salad … Made at home 😊