Press vs Art Photography

Press photographs and art photographs are both tools used by the photographer in a similar way, but are used with different intentions. Photographs on both sides of the spectrum are trying to evoke thoughts, emotions, and meanings from the viewer of the photograph.

In press photographs, the photographer is forcing a certain emotion or meaning to the viewer to create a form of bias that is almost subliminal. As stated in the article “Political Photography: The Illusionists” on The Independent newspaper website, “the camera never lies – or does it?” The article mainly speaks of direct photo manipulation, but manipulation does not only exist through the use of physical means. The context in which the photo is published can also manipulate the meaning of it. Seen below is a photo of what is commonly known as “Hitler’s Famous Jig” by Craig T. Norback, which was shown as a celebration dance Hitler was performing. In fact, this was just a single frame from a series of images of Hitler performing a salute in which he lifted his leg, not a dance. This completely changes the message of the image.
In the next photograph, a picture can be seen in Time Magazine of Kim Jong Il backed by the Korean military. Everybody in the picture is wearing a standard military green outfit, but Kim is wearing an all white suit, making him stand out significantly. This shows how press photography can be used as propaganda and in such a bias way without even the use of text. This image shows Kim Jong Il as a ruler surrounded by his followers. He stands an individual on top of a mountain of soldiers willing to do as he wishes. It gives an intimidating look in to the mysterious society that is North Korea.

Compared to these two press photographs that give a very definite, predetermined meaning, the following are artistic photographs that can be interpreted in different ways.

This photograph of hands holding a flower by Richard Seah can be interpreted with different meanings in mind. One may interpret the image as a depiction of life and death. One may take an image of beauty away from the image. Another person may find a meaning completely different from either of these.

This photo by Lars Raun is of a woman in winter clothing, standing alone in a foot print heavy, windy horizon. Some may decipher this as a representation of loneliness. Some may interpret it as sadness, depression, or even independence. The point is, as an artistic photograph, it is up to the viewer to interpret the photograph in whichever way their mind decides to.

Sources:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/political-photography-the-illusionists-782869.html

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1857430_1794847,00.html

http://www.unfreemedia.com/asia/2010/02/snapping-turtle-soup-for-dear-leaders-birthday.html

http://www.art-photograph-gallery.com/image-files/balihandbw.jpg

http://photo.net/photo-of-the-week-discussion-forum/00GLId

The Great Depression and the Migrant Mother

In the 1930's, America was under attack of the great depression. Millions lost their savings, along with their jobs. Many forced to migrate away from their homes and take up a more rural lifestyle. Below, discussed is a photography project by Dorothea Lange was created to document the situation of the Great Depression. Specifically discussed is the impact of one of the most famous photographs taken in American History, the "Migrant Mother" photograph.

Why did this project have a significant impact on society?
This collection is significant to society because it is able to document the Great Depression and is able to show the viewers what life was at the time of this Depression. These pictures were taken at such a personal and close up perspective that it really creates a feeling of despair to the viewers. It captures the lives of people when they were displaced from farms and were migrating west in search for work. There are over 160,000 images in this collection alone that dates back to WWII. It shows the adverse effects of the Great Depression and the increasing farm mechanization.

What was the role of the "Migrant Mother" photograph?
The role of the “Migrant Mother” picture at the time of The Great Depression was that of an icon and a source of hope for the people of America. It was used in the San Francisco News in hopes of raising funds for these farmers who were suffering from poverty. After the story was published, there were no reports of death by starvation. Therefore, Lange's story was considered to be a great success and since then this picture became a symbol of hope and ironically, suffering. This photograph has been used as a symbol for Lange's whole project because the editor states that the woman in the picture shows "all the suffering of mankind in her but all of the perseverance too. A restraint and a strange courage. You can see anything you want to in her. She is immortal." This picture has made a significant impact on the hearts of all proud Americans.

In the 1930s, this photograph acted as a symbolic representation of America's communal faith to overcome despair and devastation. It is a representation of America’s past pains and hardships. This photograph takes on a very institutional role.

In 1975, Florence Thompson, the woman identified as the one in the famous photograph, was sadly diagnosed with cancer.

In 1997 this picture continued in circulation because it was believed that this icon of poverty can be used to promote prosperity today. In January of 1997 this picture was once again used in an advertisement for the Arts and Entertainment Network show to promote a better life for the people of America. The image gives people the hope to persevere in their lives and acts as a constant reminder of where they came from.

In 2005, Wal-Mart was said to be an inspiration to the American economy and this picture was once again used to make a statement on behalf of democracy and the promise of social and economic justice in the United Sates.

Contributors:
T. Nguyen
S. Schwartz
M. Balasingham

Sources:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/fsahtml/fahome.html

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/316062.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Owens_Thompson

McIntosh the Great/ Imagine (Photo Manipulation- Assignment #3)

The image I decided to use for this assignment is one that I took myself with my Apple iPhone around eight to ten months ago. At that time, I was working in a small, yet very high end store that specialized in home audio and video products. For my entire life I have had some-what of a passion for home audio and home theatre equipment. Prior to working in this company, I was mostly familiar with the video and home theatre side of the consumer electronics industry, and did not have much appreciation or knowledge for the higher priced, stereo listening products (i.e. two channel speakers, pre and power amps, turntables, etc.). Once I entered this store, I fell in love.

The speakers and electronic products available where I was working were of the type I had never had the chance to personally experience. Some of the greatest, most respected brands in this sector of the industry were present here. B&W, Revel, YBA, Rotel, Wilson Audio, Magneplanar, and Martin Logan are just to name a few. For any audiophile or stereo enthusiast out there, just the mentioning of some of these names are enough to get the hairs standing on the backs of necks.

The names mentioned above are all fantastic, but the one most prevalent name not mentioned is really the one that gets me excited. McIntosh.

No, I’m not talking about the Apple computers. This is a different company, one that originated over 60 years ago and completely revolutionized home and professional audio standards.

For those who are unaware, McIntosh is a manufacturer of high-end, high-quality, and high-priced audio (and occasionally video) gear, most well known for their incredible pre and power amplifiers. They are an American company, with all facets of their business located at their headquarters and manufacturing plant in Binghamton, New York.

For lack of better words, McIntosh is art. From sight to sound, there are very few manufacturers still surviving today that can do what McIntosh can so well.

Portrayed in the original photograph is a set up of primarily McIntosh equipment (pre-amplifiers, power amplifiers, turntable and CD player), as well as Wilson Audio speakers (another very high-end American audio company).

I manipulated this image using software directly on my Apple iPhone that is called “ToonPAINT” which allows for the transformation of a regular image into a cartooned, painted version of itself. It will convert an image to black and white, and gives you the option of filling in certain details with colour.

I manipulated this image in a way that really accentuates the image of McIntosh in the minds of its loyal followers.

When I think of McIntosh, the first thing I think of outside great build and sound quality that really represents the brand, are the colors. McIntosh uses two very unique colors that are illuminated on their products that really make them stand out above the competition. These two colors are bright fluorescent green, and bright aquatic blue.

I did my best to accent these colors in the manipulated photo, so that any McIntosh enthusiast looking at the image would instantly know what this image is portraying.

It is essentially an homage to what makes McIntosh stand out as a classic, and essentially represents what it means in the minds and the hearts of its loyal users and any lover of great music.

Another photo I decided to manipulate is a photo previously posted in an earlier topic on this blog. It is the photo I took in New York of the John Lennon "Image" monument in Central Park. It is a very powerful image on its own, as it is a very inspiring message, and the fact that it is still appreciated by so many people shows the impact of one human being on the history of music and creative arts in general.

I manipulated the photo by adding a sketch filter to give it a more artistic, "drawn" feel to, and highlighting "Imagine" in brilliant red and yellow to give that image that much more of an impact.