American Photography: A Century of Images

After watching this series, I look at images in a new light. The impact that photographs have on how we look at the past, judge the future, see the world and other cultures is amazing. Photographs have contributed to how we see each other and ourselves. Photography has helped us capture the beauty of our surroundings, as well as see the ugliness. Images are how we remember moments and objects; I loved when they talked about humans thinking with imagery because it is so true. Also, photography and images have made our media what it is today. The media arose through images of instances in time and people, this is also how many stereotypes have been created. People looking at pictures of other people leads themselves to compare and contrast, either choosing to assimilate to the portrayed "norm" or building unique images of themselves.
My question is, do you think that video footage is more insightful than a photograph because you can actually see the event occurring?

American Photography

These past few weeks in class we watched American Photography: A Century of Images. The three films were very enlightening to the fact that photos are about life and death. Also, I learned that photos showed the flux in life that happens over time. Most people used the camera to record their lives as the years went on and they changed. This was a kind of visual history of how their lives are with family and friends. Then one day the photos found there way in to the main stream media. The first magazine to put photos in there issue was Life. They wanted to put them in the magazine to education the public on what life really looks like with real people. Honestly, that to me was a genius idea on there part.
I think having images in papers, books, magazine, and other printed works really helps to get the point across to those of us who may find reading just a bunch of text hard. It gives me the sense that I can really relate to what is happening in the text. Also, it gives everyone a better understanding of the issue at hand. I really liked the films we watched in class. I learned a lot I did not know about the history of photography. It actually makes me want to start doing more stuff with photography.
By Sarah Richards