Documentary Photography #3

As I mentioned in the previous post, there are several ways that the photo, “new labour” brings up the idea of defiance and resistance. You would need to understand the history and background of this photo to get the true meaning behind the picture. Obviously there is something wrong in this picture. Something out of the ordinary is happening. People have flooded the streets and there is something that is obscure about the fact that there are two enormous arrows pointing in the opposite direction of the large crowd.

Police said that in February of 2003, the biggest demonstration of protesters in the history of London took to the streets to shows their anti-war feelings. (BBC) Europe in general was incredibly upset with the Iraq war. “New labour” was taken in London, England in April of 2003. At the time, the governing party in was called “The Labour Party,” which explains the pun in the title of the photograph “new labour.” It was taken right in the heat of the invasion of Iraq, which was led by The United States of America, but was backed by British forces. (Wikipedia)
Although the United States was the main force in this war with 248,000 troops, Great Britain had the second most with 45,000. The leaders of these nations claimed that the reason for the war was “to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people.” Opinion polls taken in Spain and Italy revealed that upwards of 90% of the population opposed the war. In London, it is estimated that between one and two million people marched in the streets to protest the war in April. There were over 600 cities across the world that marched during the time of invasion, which The Guinness Book of World Records estimates as the largest mass protest movement in history. (Wikipedia)

It wasn’t just a few countries whose citizens turned out to show endorse the protest of the Iraq war. According to Dominique Reynie, a French academic, between January 3 and April 12 of 2003, thirty six million people worldwide took part in around three thousand protests.

Works Cited

"BBC News World Edition." 'Million' March Against Iraq War. 16/Feb/2003. BBC, Web. 30 Sep 2009.

"Protests Against The Iraq War." Wikipedia. 2009. Web. .

Documentary Photography #2

In the photo, “new labour,” there are several ways that the photograph brings out the idea of resistance and defiance. Most clearly, the arrows pointing in the opposite direction of the protesters. There are many other ways that the picture has characteristics of anarchy though. Typically, streets are a place to drive automobiles and this street in particular appears to be a one way street. The group of people here refuse to follow the social norm of walking on the sidewalk because they have decided that what they believe in is more important than following typical social structure.

These arrows are arranged so that they are set about equidistant from the border of the picture and they can literally cut the picture in to two halves, making the picture almost look like a mirror. The ethos that is shown here allows the audience to view a picture that is very simple to find visual hierarchy. The large arrows are the first things that people notice in this picture. Seeing that the arrows are pointed directly at the audience, they can suck the audience into the picture. They become the main focal point because they point at the viewer. This draws the viewer in to more detail.

Pathos can be found in this photo, however, you would need to know the background of this photo to be able to make a knowledgeable, educated summary of it. Viewing this picture at first glance, without having knowledge of its background may lead an audience to think that its just a busy day in random city. You would not be able to gain any knowledge of what is actually happening in this picture. However, if you did know about the background of this picture, you would be able to make more of an educated synopsis. Since pathos is how your audience feels about what you are doing, knowing your political party and your views on the Iraq war would have an enormous impact on how you view this picture. This picture is trying to bring out the idea that the Iraq war was unnecessary. The people walking away from the arrows could put a “cause” in to play that says they are defiant towards the United States’ position in the war. The effect here is that you may have many people who are for this and many who are not. This means that this photo is not just a photo to look at and say “Oh, that sure is pretty!” Rather, it sends a message and the audience who views it can either be for it or against it. It divides the audience in half, just as it has done with the arrows on either side with the street line going down the middle.

Personally, I think this picture is very inspiring. After researching more about London and the social turmoil in Europe during the war, it is appealing to me that so man people can come together to show their disapproval of the war. I have been raised a Democrat and have never believed that the Iraq war was important enough for the United States to take such serious steps in trying to bring down the Hussein-ran government. All in all, this picture is not only a well taken photograph, but it is also takes a distinctive political stance.

Documentary Photography Intro

After scanning the internet for about a half hour, I came upon this picture entitled “new labour.” Once I saw the picture I knew it was the one. It immediately gave me a sense of defiance and anarchy. This picture was found on urban-exposure.com under the album, “not in my name.” There is clear visual hierarchy in this photo. When observing this picture, the first thing I realize is the two large white arrows pointing directly towards me, and away from the large crowd of people storming the street. Just by glancing at the photo, I can see that the people in this picture must all be working together, or have the same feelings about something. There is obviously something important happening in this photo because of the fact that so many people are joined together in the middle of the street, which would typically be a place for people to quickly transport. The landscape in the photo would normally give me a sense of danger, but the fact that so many people have congregated in the same place makes me feel very welcome.

"New labour” was taken in London, England in April of 2003. At the time, the governing party in was called “The Labour Party,” which explains the pun in the title of the photograph “new labour.” It was taken right in the heat of the invasion of Iraq, which was led by The United States of America, but was backed by British forces. Although the United States was the main force in this war with 248,000 troops, Great Britain had the second most with 45,000. The leaders of these nations claimed that the reason for the war was “to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people.” Several countries in Europe were opposed to the war. Opinion polls taken in Spain and Italy revealed that upwards of 90% of the population opposed the war. In London, it is estimated that between one and two million people marched in the streets to protest the war. There were over 600 cities across the world that marched during the time of invasion, which The Guinness Book of World Records estimates as the largest mass protest movement in history.

The fact that this picture, along with every other picture in the album is taken in black and white gives it sharp detail especially on the main focal points, the arrows, but makes sure that the highlights of the photo are not completely blown out. There are smoother transitions from shade to shade and it is overall, a lot easier to view. The photo is also slightly tilted, which makes it seem like the viewer is part of the crowd. This photo really makes the viewer feel like he/she is a part of what is happening. When I viewed this photo, I felt an immediate connection. I felt as though I was being pulled into the picture. It was as if I was walking behind the crowd of protesters. I felt a direct connection with the people in the street. They seemed like the same kind of people as me.

Photography Post

Photography is something that has always interested me, but I have never thought of it as something that I would like to get myself in to. I have owned one camera in my life. I received it as a Christmas gift when I was in fourth grade. It was an extremely cheap camera and it only came with one roll of film. I used the film on the first day I had it, and never got it developed. Since then, I have lost my camera and have always wondered what exactly it was that I took pictures of.

Although I, myself have never been in to taking pictures, I do enjoy looking at photographs, specifically pictures taken in nature. I have a great appreciation for people who are good at photoshopping images. I have a friend from high school who was a phenomenal “photoshopper.” His work has always been very interesting to me. One of my favorite pictures he worked with is of Lil’ Wayne, seen here.

One of the reasons that I have never been able to become a good photographer is because I have never had the money to go out and buy a camera, but my mom has a Kodak EasyShare camera that she uses to take pictures of our family. The fact that I have very limited experience with photography is something that is somewhat bothersome to me, and is something that I think could become troublesome as we enter the next chapter. I think that I am going to have some problems with this chapter, but I think the fact that I have an interest in the subject should help resolve any trouble. I am not much of an “artsy” person and no one in my family has ever been very in to anything like that. I was brought up around an older brother who is a great athlete so I have always been pushed towards playing for athletic teams. I look forward to branching out and learning something new.

I selected this video, for one, because I love The Notorious B.I.G.’s music, and secondly because I find this song extremely inspirational. It does make several references to illegal drug use and violence, however I find Biggie’s drive, dedication and determination to make it to the top inspiring, and this song gives great insight as to some of the troubles he went through, particularly when things were at their roughest points and how he managed to pull himself out.
starts off the song with an incredibly powerful message. He says “this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me I'd never amount to nothin', to all the people that lived above the buildings that I was hustlin' in front of that called the police on me when I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughters, and all the n***** in the struggle”

We are immediately able to understand why it is that he wants to make this song. This moment of logos suggests that Biggie wants all listeners to know that there are people that don’t understand his struggle. There are people who, although it may seem that they are doing the right thing by “calling the police on him” or trying to make him come to realization that if he didn’t start trying harder “he would never amount to nothin’.”

Typically, people are taught that such things like selling drugs, or “hustling” are bad things and that we should stray from doing these. Biggie wants us to understand that at some points in life, you have to do whatever it takes to get by. As listeners, we are forced to put ourselves into his shoes. Fortunately, most of us are blessed to never have to face situations like this. If you had a daughter and had no way of putting food on the table for her, what kinds of things would you resort to?

This moment of the song can also be ethos. Seeing that ethos is “what your audience sees in you,” Biggie immediately wants his audience to know that he isn’t some low down, scummy drug dealer. He’s a hard working, loving father who is willing to do absolutely whatever it takes to give his daughter a warm meal. He recalls “eating sardines for dinner.” He also states, “I made the change from a common thief, to up close and personal with Robin Leach.” Again, he is showing us that he was not blessed with having a great childhood and was forced to make some poor decisions to survive, but out of shear willpower and determination he came out on top.