American Soldier- Photos Make the Story

A. What is the most powerful image from the slideshow? Why?
I think the most powerful photo would have to be the one with the soldier at night with the wire behind him, and a man or prisoner he seems to be ushering ahead. This photo is important because it shows the new soldier in action for the first time. It shows Fisher redefining himself as a soldier and an adult.

Set 1 - at home  - Image #1 to Image #3
Set 2 - basic training - Image #3 to Image #13
Set 3 - in Iraq - Image #13 to Image #27
In Image #28 he is back at home in Denver

C. Which set of images was the most powerful? Why?
Set 3, where the young soldier is in Iraq is the most powerful. The viewer sees Fisher become a man and a solider, as he  completes dangerous tasks in Iraq. He is no longer the boy he was when he entered the army, and I can see that in set 3. One can see the hardships the soldiers face, and the big difference of basic training (from set 2) and the real thing.

D. How do the images work together to tell a story?
The images show snapshots of Fisher's life, exclusively his journey being a soldier. Each shot shows a specific milestone from either him at home, basic training, and his time in Iraq. The picture's locations help indicate where Fisher is on his journey and express the emotion that the soldier undergoes through on in this chapter of his life. 

E. For the photos in which Ian is the main subject of the photos, in what tense are the verbs usually written?
The verbs are usually written in present tense. 

F. How do the captions enhance the photographs?
The captions provide background information on Fisher. They let the reader better understand Fisher's personality. The captions enhance the photographs because the person viewing has a deeper knowledge and understanding of Fisher, and therefore is able to better analyze the photographs. 

G. Summarize the story of Ian Fisher, based just on the captions. 
Ian Fisher, who was somewhat of a troublesome kid, enlists into the military. He goes through basic training, where he meets new friends. In this time, Fisher struggles with balancing his at home life and military life, and gets into some trouble.With his second chance, Fisher serves in the Iraq war. When coming back home, Fisher is changed for the better.

2. What was his motivation for joining the military?
Ian's joined the military because he wanted to fight. Throughout his life Fisher was known to be loyal and fight for others, and had gotten into some trouble in high school. 

3. What kind of problems did he encounter during basic training?
During basic training, he injured his elbow, which was already injured from childhood, that negatively effected Fisher. Fisher almost quit during this period. 

4. What part of Ian's pre-military life caused him the most problems as he was being trained and while on deployment?
Ian struggled with following orders, smoking, drug use, and his breakup with Kayla. Fisher struggled with balancing his at home life with military life. 

5. What happened when Ian had a mid-tour break and returned home?
He proposes to his girlfriend, kayla. 

6. How did Iraq change Ian?
Iraq changed Ian from being a confused boy, to being a man and soldier who acknowledged his mistakes. Fisher gets married finally, and is ready to take on adult responsibilities in the world.

Casual Portrait

I like this casual portrait because of the colors, lighting, and facial expression of the girl. The portrait is taken at a unique angle that allows the nice lighting. The girl seems to be comfortable in her environment.

I found this casual portrait interesting because of the subject's position and facial expression. This portrait is captured at the side.

 For the portrait assignment I plan to maybe photograph either Hong, Emily, and my dad. I will probably take the picture inside with natural lighting against a wall or outside.

Photography Self Portrait

I like this self portrait because of the unique setting the photographer chose  and his odd facial expression . The newspapers, coffee, and pajamas make me wonder if this self portrait is a representation of the photographer in the morning. This photograph makes me wonder if this is the way the photographer sees himself. 

This self portrait seems to successfully represent how the feels. Him hanging upside-down and directly looking into the lens creates an interesting dynamic as he connects with the camera. The setting and the subject give a humorous feel. This self portrait seems to successfully represent the person.

Environmental Portrait

I like this environmental portrait because of the expression on the barber and how well the subject  and the background communicate. The unique angle with the barber and the chair makes it look like he is expecting you, waiting to give yet again another haircut. The barber's facial expressions show patience yet also annoyance at being photographed. The environment of the shop really completes the portrait.

This environmental photograph of the boy in the wheel barrow is interesting.  The boy seems comfortable in the city environment, one can affirm the urban setting by the brick wall and the shirts hanging along it, the shirts most likely belonging to the subject's. This shot has a lot of things in it that tell a story, making this a good environmental portrait.

2-3 Tips

 Alter Your PerspectiveMost portraits are taken with the camera at (or around) the eye level of the subject. While this is good common sense – completely changing the angle that you shoot from can give your portrait a real WOW factor.

Go with a Wide AngleShooting with a wide angle lens attached to your camera can help create some memorable shots when you’re doing portrait photography.

Candids: Being UnobtrusiveYou may want to make photographs of people going about their business—vendors in a market, a crowd at a sports event, the line at a theater. You don't want them to appear aware of the camera.

Love and Loss Warm Up

1. What emotions did you feel as you worked your way through these images?
I felt extremely sad when looking through these photographs. Each shot seemed to capture a different part of their journey, specifically the wife battling breast cancer. The wife eventually dying filled me with sadness. A person viewing the photos can see time passing between each shot.

2. The photographer said this: "These photographs do not define us, but they are us." What do you think about this comment now that you have looked at the photos?
The photographer states that the photographs do not say or represent who they are, but rather they are the photographs. After seeing the photos, I must agree with this quote. The images tell stories and let a person viewing see a snapshot into their life. 

3. Do you think you could shoot photos like this if you were in this situation?
If I were in this situation, I think I could shoot photos that hold the same emotion. The photographer told a story with his pictures which I would hope I could do the same. That my photographs would do the situation justice.

4. If you could write Angelo a letter, what would you say to him?
I would write my condolences for his wife and say how stunning and heartbreaking his photographs are. I would ask questions about photography and how he managed to photograph the images. Also if photographing his wife's life with cancer was ever unbearably hard. 

Rules Of Photography Part 2 (Lighthouse edition)

Rule of Thirds

Balancing Elements  

Leading Lines

Symmetry and Patterns

Viewpoint

Background

Create Depth

Framing

Cropping

Mergers

Funny Captions

Pete, in the middle of a protest, turns to find his relatives dressed like him and ready to participate in his fight for bagel divorce. Pete Flipper was recently denied his right to have a divorce with his bagel wife. In peaceful protest, Pete and his relatives won their rights.

Linda Smith lights her cigarette with the candles on her 100th birthday cake. Her younger sister, Sorbet, gawks at Linda's bluntness. Throughout their lives Linda and Sorbet have been nothing but rivals, but when Linda's 100th birthday comes around, Sorbet is ready to make amends. Linda denies Sorbet's peace offering  by using the candles on the cake Sorbet made, to light her cigarette.

Old woman spotted in tattoo parlor receiving a football related tattoo. Football enthusiast Martha Dogless, received her unusual tattoo in light of  the upcoming Superbowl.