This week we went over photographs, what they are what they mean and their significance. Photography was something I always took interest in and always viewed as art/fun. After this week's class I was exposed to a different perspective and learned about the more serious and important aspects of photography/photos. Photo's capture "unfiltered" moments we might not have otherwise seen in time periods we were nonexistent in. This week we went over photos from the Birmingham campaign 1963. These pictures were powerful and filled with lots of emotion and meaning. Like professor mentioned, "The longer we look at a good photo, the more we see". They were all incredible but the most powerful of them to me was the one below.
Having the privilege to "truly examine the moment in detail" is amazing. It shows the reality and the severity of the mistreatment black people endured during this time in history. This picture vividly shows the vulnerability of the blacks as well as the aggression and abuse of status by the whites. It makes you feel helpless and overall heartbroken to know this was a reality for many. Instead of just hearing stories and imagining this is clear proof that we can all refer to thanks to photographers.
Photography is also an interest of mine. I have always looked at black and white photos. It seems the picture can be more clear in seeing what is happening in the photo. it shows more detail in black and white photos. That week of the lesson, was very interesting as we can see it through a perspective.
Hello, Fatima.
I like reading your blog and seeing how you characterized a photograph's perspective. When people look at a picture, they don't always know that it may express much more than what the eyes see and pictures disperse various meanings behind it. Your interpretation of the image was highly comprehensive and succinct, demonstrating the severity of oppression of black people. The image is motionless, yet it may evoke a wide range of feelings, including rage, grief, and empathy. You did an excellent job!
-Tofura Ferdous
Hi Fatima,
I really enjoyed reading your blog and how you defined a photographs perspective from being something looked at as more than just fun. A picture can tell a thousand words and sometimes people don‘t realize that when they’re looking at it, and the message they’re trying to convey. Your interpretation of the image was very detailed and concise, to show how the severity of mistreatment was and still is towards black people. Great job!
Hey Fatima, I enjoyed your response to this image and your blog as a whole. I agree with the quote that you put as well. The longer I observe an image the more I can decipher. The image is still but can make you feel many emotions like anger, sadness, and empathy.
Hi, I too have never seen photography like that. I always looked at is as something fun and careless. But when you look at pictures that are as deep and descriptive as that, you see the real purpose of photos... We see moments in history that we otherwise wouldn't know about, since we weren't alive in that time period.
- Berta