American Photography

This was one of the few in-class videos I have seen that I actually enjoyed, and even learned something from. I was really impressed with how many different aspects of the history of photography were not only addressed in this video, but discussed in elaborate detail. What I enjoyed most about this video was realizing the potential that photography has to unite people. That was made very clear when the video addressed photography in the different wars, and the depression. This video did an excellent job of portraying photography not only as an art, but a language that speaks to all who are willing to listen.

-Caitlin Hansen

American Photography

The series, American Photography, captures the way photography and art have come to where they are now. I really enjoyed seeing how the first cameras were used and how the whole world of photography started. A lot of interesting facts that I wasn't aware of and photography is one of my passions I really enjoy so that educated me further on how it all happened. The photos shown throughout the whole series were inspirational.

Sam Santorufo 

American Photography

The video American Photography: A Century of Images presented tons of images that were very touching and heartfelt. It made me come to realize how important photography has been through out our lives. The third video presented in the series included the process on how forensics is used by computer imaging to find missing children. If it wasn’t for this process hundreds of children would probably still be missing… Sometimes when we are looking through the covers of magazines displayed at a newspaper stand at the airport, one doesn’t think about the true meaning behind the image. Can you think of a time when perhaps you did that? Photographs are altered in these front covers most of the time to give the audience a perception that is believable. A great example includes the many photographs taken during the O.J. Simpson trial. Some of the photos make Simpson look like a nice guy; others make him look like a scary monster. I must say it’s going to be easier to determine whether or not an image has been altered or not

A century of Images

Throughout the process of watching these three videos the thing that kept crossing my mind was the enormity of photography that has occured since the inception or invention rather of the camera. We're looking at a device that has been around just over 1oo years and has completely changed the way developed nations interact with the world.
Other emerging technologies have also helped to perpetuate the rise of photography. The ability to take a photo and send that image to the other side of the world in a matter of minutes is almost surreal.
Aside from the technological discussion the videos prompted in my head I was also taken aback by the shear genius of so many artists who have utilized this device as their medium for art. It's funny how many painters and sculptors were dismissive of the camera as an artistic tool at the turn of the 19th century and yet it quickly became an accepted way to produce art. No doubt many talented photographers have utilized an innate capacity for art creation to make astounding images.
I chose this image because I think it does an amazing job of demonstrating the camera's enormous and almost unrivaled ability to capture emotion of the eyes and face.

American Photography

The three part series of "American Photography: A Century of Images" was a great series depicting the history of photography and how it has effected our culture. One part that I really enjoyed was how photography changed the thought of racism. The photos were so strong and Full of emotions that made somebody realize why racism is bad without even reading anything about it. Without photography, would racism will exist or would it take longer to make the public realize how it affects people?

Sophia Stalliviere

American Photography

One of the most important things I took from this movie was the way photography changed how war was being reported to the general public.  When war is so far from home and news reports were nothing like they are now with up to the minute reporting, you could almost report any part of war you wanted and no one would really know they weren't getting the whole truth.  With photography being such growing part of reporting people were for the first time getting the full idea of war and what was going on around the world, they were able to stand up and fight for what they wanted which was to bring the soldiers home and end the war.

Ortolf

American Photography

I missed that last video and that is the one I wanted to see the most =(
I thought it was interesting when they talked about the man who took pictures of the Native Americans and made them dress up so they would look more like the "Indians" most people were expecting to see. That kind of relates to the Post Photography article that we read. In that article it talked about being able to alter pictures and I thought the video was a good example to say that people have also done that.
I also really lived the part in the video when they talk about fashion photography. I thought it was funny when the man was talking about watching his wife read a magazine and stop on a picture that he thought was very poorly done, and when he asked why she would stop on that particular page she said because she liked the dress.

The picture I chose is of what used to be the city hall in Bellingham right after it was built in 1893. Today it is the Whatcom museum. The photographer was unknown.

American Photography

I thought the PBS special was very well done. It did a great job of talking about how photography has helped change and influence America over the years. I was rather surprised about the use of propaganda over the years and it made me think about a lot of stuff that I had previously heard in history classes. The way the camera is used has a huge impact on people and history; from the staged photos taken in World War One to impromptu photos taken to help create child labor laws.

It's surprising how one snap shot of an event can enrage a nation or pull at it's heart strings. Do to the powerful influence on America I decided to pick a picture of children that worked in a coal mine. I figured it would be a good reminder of what photography can do for people instead of just focusing on what's int the picture itself.

“Breaker boys, Woodward Coal Mines, Kingston, Pa..” Photograph from the Detroit Publishing Company, c1900

American Photography

The picture that I chose, taken by Marion Post Wolcott in 1939, is entitled “Project Family in New Wagon.” I thought that it went with the theme from the videos about the power of images. This photo creates a sense of family and togetherness that happens between a man and his sons; without even seeing their faces we believe that they are a happy family.

The American Photography film that we viewed in class was very eye opening for me. I never realized the power of images. Most people believe what their eyes are telling them is the truth; all their other senses may be telling them some type of lie, but their eyes are not capable of being incorrect. We as a civilization have become so visually orientated that we no longer accept information with out a picture along side.

With the advancement of technology, things like newspapers and magazines have been able to bring photographs from all over the world into our living rooms. We were able to experience things that were never possible, see people that are no longer living. Magazines and newspapers brought the tragedies of war and violence out into the public for all to see and consider. Although the photos were censored, people of the general public were able to feel connected with the deceased soldier’s face printed on the front of the magazine; thus the birth of celebrities and public heroes. Even today, I can’t wait until my tabloid magazine arrives each week so I can see what crazy pictures were taken of celebrities. My question is what is next, after the masses begin to understand that photos are retouched and refined and that the eye is no longer the unfaltering truth, what truths are we supposed to trust next?

-Racheal Johnson-

American Photography: A Century of Images

Not only has photography shaped our generation, we’ve grown dependent on images as proof of the events that occurred in our lives. This may explain why so many parents carry pictures of their children in their wallet, or why mom keeps her camera close when the family stuffs themselves in the minivan and takes a vacation.
Cameras are even more accessible to our generation than any previous time in history. When I am on a photo shoot, it’s funny to think that I have three separate cameras on myself: an old cannon slr which uses 35mm film, a digital point and shoot for when I miss the shot and waste my film, and in my pocket I often forget that I have a camera on my phone. Unlike when I was growing up, cameras are so affordable today that they are made for kids as well. With everyone holding a camera, it is interesting to think how anonymous people will use cameras in the fast paced world of today.
War is a terrible phenomenon that sees many opinions and is a source of controversy amongst many people. Not to say that I know much about the vietnam war, but unlike the media today, there were some powerful images that caught people and made them want to stop that war. The old saying is a photo is worth a thousand words. I like to think of it as the photo having the power to stir about a thousand feelings. Photography is a medium that can bring a call to action without using a single piece of text.

American Photography

I enjoyed American Photography: A Century of Images a lot more than i thought i would. I've seen many films on history that used pictures a way to tell the story, but this film trumped them all. This film used photos as the story rather than support, like the segment on Vietnam. I think it was Vietnam in four photos, all of which told the story of Vietnam without using chapters and chapters in a book.
The general theme of the film to me seemed to be photos are the most powerful medium of history and emotion. Photos could capture a single moment in time a moment in time that told more than any video or story could tell. Like the monk who lit himself on fire in protest, if you just heard a story about the monk you would think it crazy and horrific but probably forget about it shortly. When a photo is taken of such an event and a person sees it, it is forever burned into their minds, or at least I will never forget the image.
The film in has had a real impact on the way I view photography, giving me a real appreciation of American photography.

Derek Klayum

American Photography

I found the film to be quite informative, providing me with a more educated viewpoint on the art of photography. The images that were displayed revealed the importance of images and photographs in our history as a society. I will admit that in the past I have been skeptical of the artistic value of photography, but this film illustrated to me just how much emotion and beauty can be displayed in an image captured by a camera. The concept that a photograph can have such a huge impact on the country, or even the world is very powerful and I would tend to agree with the notion that a photo can be the most powerful form of media to illustrate certain subjects. A question that I have is: is the artistic value of a photographed derived primarily from the subject matter/event, or through the vision or eye of the photographer?

American Photography

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the three part series of American Photography: A Century of Images. The video inspired me to keep on taking pictures and reminded me once again how much I admire those who take chances when it comes to capturing a moment. Two examples of chance takers are Joe Rosenthal who ventured into war zones and Lewis Hine who documented child labor. Pictures are a language everyone speaks and it’s so amazing to look at a photo of someone who may be thousands of miles away or even dead, and feel as if you had been instantly transported into their world.

The picture that I was touched by the most from the movie, unfortunately I can’t find a copy to attach to this blog. It is by Lewis Hine and it’s of a little boy who Hine photographed when he documented child labor. The lines on his face and bags under his big eyes, made me feel his head was placed on the wrong body. The boy with the wild curly hair looks as though he’s been alive for 75 years and is in desperate need of a long and restful sleep. I wanted to step into the portrait, pick him up and hug him really tight.

The photo I have attached here is a different child from Lewis Hine’s collection of children who were involved in intense labor. Her name is Laura Petty.

-Laura LaVergne

American Photography: The Power of Photographs...

I was really impressed by the three part series on American Photography. I've always had a large appreciation for photography in my personal life. It helps me connect with my family's past and capture moments that we share in the present. However, I was particularly fascinated by how this series also exposed the social implications of photography. From FDR using a photographic series of images to convince the American public to support his social programs to the media's use of photographs to sell magazines, photography has had a huge impact on our society. I think that this is because photography captures emotion better than many other forms of media. Photography just gives you an image, but you have to come up with the story. It forces you connect with the image and find the message yourself which I think is what makes photography so special.

I chose this picture of a leaf by Ansel Adams because I love the way he can take something so simply and un-manipulated and make it powerful. My favorite landscape artist, he changed the way we thought about the environment and our responsibility to it. His images are grand and probe a sense of awe and wonder, making me feel small in comparison. I'm glad that the film showcased his work and his contribution to the environmental movement. - Tayler Black

American Photography

The picture I chose was The Burning Monk by Malcolm Browne. The picture was taken June 11,1963 at an intersection in Saigon. The reason I chose this picture was this is a perfect example of how photography can put us in the moment. The event in this picture took place on the other side of the world, but yet it gives us a sense of actually being there. A person setting himself on fire is something that most people will never see or let alone be able to take a picture of.

I think photographs were and still are the most powerful form of art. The movie series we watched really made me realize how important photography is and how non- existent our past would be without it. Photography is not only art, but a very strong tool of persuasion and social change. I can't even remember how many times I have seen old photographs and they have the ability to tell an entire story. Even in today's society with so many technological advances, there is still no replacement for the unaltered, still photograph.

Photographs are our only evidence of some events that happened around the world and that's our only sense of actually being there. In a way photography was used to boost people's emotions in a time of despair such as WWI and WWII. Once the magazine Life started to run the photo essay this brought a whole new way of circulating and educating people about the world. I think this was definitely a turning point for mass media. The most profound and noticeable time that photography made its mark was during WWII, and the civil rights movement. This was also the time when fashion photography was in its prime. I love the pictures of the pin up girl Betty Grable. Her picture brought joy to the soldiers serving in the war. This is a great example of how photography brought joy to many.

This was a time when photography exposed the public to what was going on behind the scenes. Even in 50's when TV was coming into the limelight, photography was still the best. The reason I think was photography gave people what they wanted to see. Photographs are what showed people the real horror of what was happening during the civil rights movements. The photos are what eventually got people to get involved and acknowledge the problems in the South.

This movie was great! I learned so much about the history of photography and it really makes me want to start taking more pictures. I like to capture the moment and live in the moment and that’s what photography does.

Chad Miltenberger

American Photography

While I did find this series of videos to be entertaining, I didn't find it at all surprising. The history of photography sounded spot-on, almost as if I'd heard this story before.

Anyhow, what I found most entertaining was this all to familiar battle between the 'roguish' pioneers of the new art form and the old vanguard of art 'connoisseurs.' This is essentially how art progresses and is made! Here comes this group of 'new' artists, toting their 'new' contraptions and devices, taking photographs of everything, and then comes this old group who, upon finding out what exactly is infiltrating their art world, promptly frown at this and say 'wait a minute, that's not art!' What's best is that sometimes this old group is completely right; but in this case they were not---in any event, the old guard's intentions are always good, aren't they? Anyhow, even upon its outset, the art photography ethos was always well disposed to the idea of photographic manipulation, and in being so this early collection of photographic artists correctly predicted the idea of digital manipulation which would completely pervade the world a century later. Thus it came about that the 'pure' image was never the domain of the 'artist' per se, but rather the concern of the average recreational photographer.

This early tale of photographic art's humble beginnings also displays the fact that it is not ever technology which creates the artist, but rather the artist who uses technology to create his art. This sounds simple enough, but it is in fact opposed to the general opinions of today that hold everyman as being capable of producing art if he is merely given the same tools. Early photographers were almost uniformly given the same means---of course, as the technology hadn't progressed in such a fashion as to create top- and bottom- line devices---yet it was the predisposition of the artist which decided to create 'art' rather than the average family picnic snap-shot. In any event it proves that art is art and not some other thing like, let us say, science.

I've chosen my picture, a mere thumbnail of a great Ansel Adams photo, because I think that Adams almost single handedly created the genre of landscape photography. Most landscape photography today can be seen as referencing Adams directly, even 'visionary' photographers like Simon Marsden.

-Bryce VanHoosen-

American Photography: A Century of Images

American Photography: A Century of Images

I have to admit that I really enjoyed this three part series in regards to how photography can make a major impact on people. I have to admit, I am a slight history buff and love to look at photos from the past and try to interpret the story that they have to tell. Some of the images in the film touched my soul so deeply that I still see them when I close my eyes. I like that a photo can make me feel something that wasn’t there before.

While I admit that we live in an instant gratification society and I am one of the guiltiest of the “I Want It Now” Generation, I look forward to picking up photo prints at the drug store. My daughter and I sit together as we thumb through them, laughing at some of the silly things that we do or remembering how beautiful the house was when covered in ten inches of snow this April. I feel the same way when in a darkroom, developing and printing, even though it has been over a decade since I have smelled the chemicals that made the images appear on paper when I dipped them in. The excitement when the image began to appear was often hard to contain.

I have photos all over my apartment. Some I have taken myself, some are just prints that I enjoy. The majority of the prints date from the 1940’s to the early 1970’s. (So basically, everything from World War II to the end of the Vietnam War fascinates the heck out of me. I think it is because I was named after the actress Spring Byington.) I love how they are not perfectly posed and that most happen spontaneously.That is why I love this photo by Richard Avedon. It was taken in August of 1957 and I think he is brilliant.

There is nothing that drives me crazier than trying to take a shot of my daughter and my friends when they stop whatever adorable thing they are doing and flash peace signs and crooked grins at me. They then run over before I can snap another to "see" the photo. Uggggghhhhhhhhhh!

So my question for you is.....who do you think has the right to define art?

American Photography

David Turnley, Casualties of War, 1991

This particular image really stood out to me from all the images 

that were included in the video. It may be because I have friends

that are fighting in Iraq or maybe because of the anguish on the

soldier's face. It's one of the most heartbreaking pictures I've ever 

seen. It's pictures like this that have changed the world. The film

really showcased that, showing images that have had a profound 

effect on the American Public. Pictures have helped shaped our

society over the past hundred years, they have inspired social

change, expanded our definition of art, made and destroyed

political campaigns, and just been great to look at. Pictures 

have become such a huge part of our culture, that I couldn't 

imagine a world without them.

-Jessica Stockton

American Photography

When watching American Photography, what really stuck out for me were the photographs that documented various life events from all over the world and the photographers who were there to witness those moments.  When it comes to the documentation of history - war, civil rights movements or any other event, really, the photograph has always been the closest thing we have had to actually being in a moment that only occurred at one exact place at only one particular point in time. We can re-create (or even capture in the present,) these events with video, theater, or interpretive dance, song, or whatever medium we want, but the only thing capable of showing you an image of a particular event right when it took place – an image of that event happening – is the photographic image. It’s truly amazing if you think about it. Sure we can capture these moments on video, but video doesn’t leave much to the imagination and you can’t take a video with you wherever you want and look at it when you want or hold it in your hand while you look at it, feel it, smell it…it won’t stay etched in your mind for decades to come like a photograph will.  

John Filo's photo from the Kent State shooting is an example of one of these photos.  It is tragic, yet it provokes the imagination, tells a story, and elicits a strong emotional response from the viewer.  Having never experienced what I can only imagine to be such a traumatic event as that, I empathize with the woman in this image.  It is hard to even think of being involved in such a tragedy, let alone think of how something like this could get so out of hand that people are murdered.  It is images like this one that we will probably never forget and that will be a constant reminder of a horrific event.

American Photography : My Thoughts....

Over the past 3 classes as we have watched these videos, one image in particular stood out for me. It was a very heartbreaking picture, and very thought provoking.


Phan Thi Kim Phúc, photo taken by AP photographer Nick Út

This image, more than the rest, stuck in my mind. For one, it showed some of the atrocities that the Americans back home either didn't like to admit took place, or didn't know about at all. It also showed how uninvolved the soldiers were. If you look at the soldier on the far right, he appears to be getting ready to have a smoke.

What kind of person would you have to be to just continue going about your regular business, have a smoke, when a naked child runs past you screaming after having been burned with napalm??

There are moments in time like this that are revealed to us, that without photography, we would never get to see or understand.