Name: Caleb Aryeetey

Course: English 1121 Composition 2 Section D536

Instructor: Professor Sean Scanlan

Topic: Photo Essay

Date: 9/24/2024

Writing Assignment Essay #1

 

                                                          A View of Bedford Park Blvd

Photographs have always been an effective way of communication and also a way which memorable events or activities are remembered. This is a clear broad day view of a busy area in the Bronx neighborhood. Bedford Park Blvd is a very busy area, where people pass each and every day to work, hospitals and school since Lehman College is only three minutes’ walk from the four-train station. This photo is an art also in this photo, the composition makes it one of a kind whereby the shapes and vantage point where by this photo was taking makes it intriguing for the framing of this picture. I also chose this photo because it has space, and also shows people and objects in motion. You can see the train tracks, people crossing the street, cars waiting for the traffic light to switch to green, to proceed movement and also some people filling their cars at the gulf gas station, whiles some people are having conversation beside the tree that is behind the gulf gas station. There is also an internet company named Verizon in the right side of the picture and also the proportions of this photo make it very interesting to analyze in a sense whereby you can see all these colorful objects and scenery which makes it fun to observe. There is also a gas station filled with cars. Not to forget there is a bird also flying in front of an incoming Nissan rouge which is approaching the traffic light.

 “Photographs bear witness to a human choice being exercised in a given situation”. “Also, a photograph is effective when the chosen moment it records contains a quantum of truth generally applicable which is revealing about what is absent from the photography as about what is present in it.” (5)  Berger, John. Understanding A Photograph, 2013

 

 

                A Broad View of the New York Subway 4 Train Line At Mosholu Parkway

This part of the Bronx has been always lively from the noise of cars, motorcycles and more from the train which runs every six to twelve minutes. This is photo is an art, the balance and composition of this photo makes it very interesting to look it. Also, you can see trains going at each direction with one going to the last stop, which is Woodlawn and the other facing the direction of new lots avenue. I like to observe the train tracks and how it moves on them with the pattern that it makes whiles it is moving. The view from which I took this picture makes me very aware of my surroundings and gives me an idea of what is going on, e.g., when the trains are not in service, I can see it even without checking on my phone for the notice same way when there is something happening somewhere in the city, I can also have a view of it like when there is a fire burning. There is also a white van in this photo that is parked and has a wet ground where people hand wash their cars and there is someone standing there. A lot of project buildings are in this neighborhood. In this photo also you can see the space and scale of how the photo is been taken not only that, but there is a train maintenance station and parking space where most of the trains are serviced not only the four train but others as well like the D and other many. The vantage point of the photographer makes the photo attracting. Cars are parked in the parking lot of a housing projects and also the blue building in the picture is a church and the building adjacent to the train tracks on the right is the building of the New York City Sanitations. The true content of a photograph is invisible, for it derives from a play, not with form, but with time. “One might argue that photography is as close to music as to painting. I have said that a photograph bears witness to a human choice being exercised” (P 9-11).

 

Views Of Jerome Park Reservoir And The George Washington Bridge

This picture taken in the sunny daytime is an art photo. This is the George Washington bridge, including the neighboring houses around Washington heights and Highbridge. The light which is been reflected by the sun unto the water and the wind blowing over it makes it look like a silver ripple. When you look closer to the bridge you can see cars moving on the bridge heading to New Jersey and also entering New York with a little bit of traffic. You can also see trees and plants around this place which makes it a very comfortable view to stare at, or go rest under the trees and get some shade and fresh air. Also, there is a baseball field in this photo, which is close by Lehman College which makes it more of an attraction site to visit for students and others. The empty space that is seen by the reservoir is a parking lot for cars. I chose this photo because of the calming feeling it gives when you stare at it because of how it is surrounded by nature. While I like all the three pictures, I prefer the second photo because it gives me more view of the neighborhood and how you get to see the trains and all these nicely built apartment and offices. The focus of this picture is also based on the water and the bridge. When you also look towards the bridge you can see a straight road and also a tall white building which is the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

References Berger, J. (2013). Understanding a Photograph. In J. Dyer (Ed.), Understanding a Photograph: John Berger. (pp. 5) (pp. 9-11) Penguin. https://archive.org/details/understanding-aphotograph-john-berger/page/n3/mode/2up

Sontag, S. (2013) On Photography. In D. Rieff (Ed.), Susan Sontag:

Essays of the 1960s & 70s. The Library of America. https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/scanlan-english-1101-d333-spring2018/files/2018/03/Sontag-On-Photography.pdf