"Hi, my love. How are you doing?" (Addario, 2). It's What I Do, A Photographers Life of Love and War a memoir by Lyndsey Addario is an intense recollection of what it's like to be up close and personal recording some of the darkest, most horrific events in modern history. The aforementioned quote, from chapter one is from a call between Addario and her husband Paul. I find this to be compelling mostly because this is the first instance where Addario's work and personal lives leaves her in a state of conflict. While driving into an active war zone, she struggles with whether or not to tell her husband. For me, this stood out because I don't know if I could lie and pretend I was in a relatively safe environment. With that being said, I also don't know that, even with my ethics and values based on honesty, I could tell someone I loved that I might not survive the day. She goes into every situation not knowing if she'll come out the other side. Not only does she put herself in physical danger, but finds herself in situations that challenge her values and morality. She explains these sentiments on page 254 stating "And so, in a room full of some of the most vicious fighters anainst the United States and everything I stood for, I stood in the corner and faced the wall as I drank my tea." Her photojournalism is nothing short of dedicated. There are multiple moments in her career where most people would tap out. She braved multiple crossfires, she also persevered through not one, but two kidnappings. Captured moments of the worst days of peoples lives and then moved on. Photojournalism is important, but it's not what I personally will choose to pursue in my life. I don't think there's anything wrong or crazy about what she's doing. Soldiers put themselves in the line of fire everyday; activists preach the dirty truth in an attempt to change reality, even politicians put themselves out in the public eye and work to change the world in a more professional setting. My only impressions of her career choice are that it's extremely brave, and unfathomably important. Not only is her photojournalism important, but she's incredibly good at it. Some of my favorite photos of hers are on pages 4 (top), 46, 67, 126, 174, 178, 189, 233, 274 (top), 280, and 336 (I know just a few)
The Journalists Manifesto
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Monday, June 10, 2019
Photo Story
The oldest animal on display circa 1885. Presented from the Dentzel Family Carousel Collection. |
Kirby, an amateur carver at the carousel, seen here working on what will become Rajah, the Snow Leopard sponsored by Brooks and Rita Cavin. |
Oregon's woman mail carrier Miss Minnie Westman. Her story pinned to her chest for visitors to read. Westman will be one of the stagnant carvings on the carousel. |
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Week 10 forum
Topic 1: My best photojournalism
2) I like this photo mainly because of her facial expression. It was one of the few moments I was actually in the right place at the right time, which especially with the sports assignment I rarely was.
3) It reflects what I learned as a photojournalist because of where I was physically when I took this photo. At the beginning of the term I wasn't very comfortable with getting in peoples personal space. However as the term progressed I managed to get out of my comfort zone.
4) My approach to taking photos is much different. In all my previous photography classes it had more of an aesthetic approach, you don't need 100 photos of one thing, just focus and framing, lighting, a nice subject, etc. With this class its less of taking for the sake of having a nice photo, but more of telling it how it is (from and interesting and aesthetically pleasing angle). (see week 1 Humans of LBCC assignment... they're terrible)
Topic 2: My goals
Week 1 Goal response: My goals for this class are to improve my skills in photography, be able to get out in the field, and to maybe learn something every once and a while.
I think I've managed to achieve all of my goals (except for the good grade, we'll have to see). At least in my opinion I see improvement in the quality (and quantity) of my photos. As for going out in the field, I've gotten to do assignments not only in the field but up close and personal (especially the Sicktown Bout). Not only did I go out in the field but I met a lot of people and gathered some interesting information, thereby achieving my third and final goal.
2) I like this photo mainly because of her facial expression. It was one of the few moments I was actually in the right place at the right time, which especially with the sports assignment I rarely was.
3) It reflects what I learned as a photojournalist because of where I was physically when I took this photo. At the beginning of the term I wasn't very comfortable with getting in peoples personal space. However as the term progressed I managed to get out of my comfort zone.
4) My approach to taking photos is much different. In all my previous photography classes it had more of an aesthetic approach, you don't need 100 photos of one thing, just focus and framing, lighting, a nice subject, etc. With this class its less of taking for the sake of having a nice photo, but more of telling it how it is (from and interesting and aesthetically pleasing angle). (see week 1 Humans of LBCC assignment... they're terrible)
Topic 2: My goals
Week 1 Goal response: My goals for this class are to improve my skills in photography, be able to get out in the field, and to maybe learn something every once and a while.
I think I've managed to achieve all of my goals (except for the good grade, we'll have to see). At least in my opinion I see improvement in the quality (and quantity) of my photos. As for going out in the field, I've gotten to do assignments not only in the field but up close and personal (especially the Sicktown Bout). Not only did I go out in the field but I met a lot of people and gathered some interesting information, thereby achieving my third and final goal.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
week 8 forum
No.2: Women Are Casualties of Their Birthplace
I found this chapter compelling because it was interesting to read from a sociocultural viewpoint. In light growing up in rape culture, and factoring in our current political predicaments with the #metoo movement and recent abortion laws it was hard to read and not think about how the superiority of the male sex is cross cultural.
No.1: You will Die Tonight
I found this chapter compelling for the shear intensity of it. While that is a big part of what made the chapter, what I found most interesting is her composure and everlasting integrity. Even with horrifying things happening to her she still is respectful of others and their culture regardless of what happens.
Addario manages to capture not only the horror of war but the individuality of those who fought it. Describing her time in captivity and how different soldiers showed kindness, while others did not. She quotes, after being beaten and violated, "These men were the epitome of evil". Not to long after she writes "They had kindness in their eyes."
As far as my favorite photo, there is only one in this chapter depicting the four of them and the Turkish Ambassador to Libya in Tripoli
I found this chapter compelling because it was interesting to read from a sociocultural viewpoint. In light growing up in rape culture, and factoring in our current political predicaments with the #metoo movement and recent abortion laws it was hard to read and not think about how the superiority of the male sex is cross cultural.
No.1: You will Die Tonight
I found this chapter compelling for the shear intensity of it. While that is a big part of what made the chapter, what I found most interesting is her composure and everlasting integrity. Even with horrifying things happening to her she still is respectful of others and their culture regardless of what happens.
Addario manages to capture not only the horror of war but the individuality of those who fought it. Describing her time in captivity and how different soldiers showed kindness, while others did not. She quotes, after being beaten and violated, "These men were the epitome of evil". Not to long after she writes "They had kindness in their eyes."
As far as my favorite photo, there is only one in this chapter depicting the four of them and the Turkish Ambassador to Libya in Tripoli
Friday, May 31, 2019
Hometown: Corvallis, Oregon
week 7 forum
Topic 1: My Hometown
1) I'm photographing Corvallis because that is not only where I live now, but where I have always lived (born and raised)
2) portrait of an employee downtown or a student at OSU, the farmers market, the courthouse or the Whiteside
3) the Landmark photo because it'll be difficult to take a new and interesting photo that everyone has taken a picture of.
Topic 2: Photo Story Ideas
1) Who: the volunteers at the carousel
What: the process of making an animal
Where: Albany Historic Carousel and Museum
When: over the course of the remaining weeks
2) Who: the GSA
What: meeting and events on and off campus
Where: DAC and other resource centers on campus
When: throughout the next few weeks
1) I'm photographing Corvallis because that is not only where I live now, but where I have always lived (born and raised)
2) portrait of an employee downtown or a student at OSU, the farmers market, the courthouse or the Whiteside
3) the Landmark photo because it'll be difficult to take a new and interesting photo that everyone has taken a picture of.
Topic 2: Photo Story Ideas
1) Who: the volunteers at the carousel
What: the process of making an animal
Where: Albany Historic Carousel and Museum
When: over the course of the remaining weeks
2) Who: the GSA
What: meeting and events on and off campus
Where: DAC and other resource centers on campus
When: throughout the next few weeks
week 4 forum
Topic 1: favorite photos
I like Will's photo of the Harney County Library. Its nicely framed and has balanced contrast and lighting.
https://willreddekopp.blogspot.com/
One of my other favorites is Ashley's "Imbrie Hall". I like the mixture of the foreground and background because it adds dimension and interest.
https://ashleyrosborne.blogspot.com/
Topic 2: Lyndsay Addario
The moment that stood out to me the most was when she was kidnapped by the Qaddafi. It's not the fact that she was kidnapped, but moreover how she was perceiving the actions of the men who kidnapped her. She quotes "It wasn't the pain that made me weep; it was the disrespect, the fear of what was to come, and the knowledge that a grown Arab man could have so little self-respect that he could punch a completely bound and defenseless woman in the face." (282). I learned it's important to recognize you're still in someone else's culture as she proceeds to greet the soldier and his wife with a traditional Muslim greeting despite the fact that they had taken her.
I like Will's photo of the Harney County Library. Its nicely framed and has balanced contrast and lighting.
https://willreddekopp.blogspot.com/
One of my other favorites is Ashley's "Imbrie Hall". I like the mixture of the foreground and background because it adds dimension and interest.
https://ashleyrosborne.blogspot.com/
Topic 2: Lyndsay Addario
The moment that stood out to me the most was when she was kidnapped by the Qaddafi. It's not the fact that she was kidnapped, but moreover how she was perceiving the actions of the men who kidnapped her. She quotes "It wasn't the pain that made me weep; it was the disrespect, the fear of what was to come, and the knowledge that a grown Arab man could have so little self-respect that he could punch a completely bound and defenseless woman in the face." (282). I learned it's important to recognize you're still in someone else's culture as she proceeds to greet the soldier and his wife with a traditional Muslim greeting despite the fact that they had taken her.
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