Week 2 Forum

TOPIC 1: PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE WEEK -- After selecting your “Photographer of the Week” (instructions below):

• Name of photographer

1. Gordon Parker

• Gather and share THREE FACTS about that person.

1. Parks was an African American man, born into poverty and was inspired from a young age to begin taking photographs after seeing pictures of migrant workers in a magazine.
2. From the time he picked up a camera, Parks began to use his photographs to cover the social and economic impact that racism had on the time period.
3. Parks style of being able to capture the raw expressions of the African American community, such as in his 1967 photograph of a family at a welfare office.

• What most stands out about that person’s photos?

1. What stands out the most about Parks photos is the way that he is able to capture the raw vulnerability of individuals in their hardest times.  

• Finally, describe his/her “CLAIM TO FAME.”

1. Parks claim to fame was the work that he did between the 1940's to the 1970's, documenting racism and poverty while also taking photos of people like Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X.

TOPIC 2: LYNSEY ADDARIO

After reading the Prelude and Ch. 1 of "It's What I Do," what do you think of the book so far?

In a NARRATIVE that's about 200 words (or more?!) ...

--Tell what you think of the book.

--What has impressed you?

--What do you think of Addario's work?

--What lessons can you apply in Photojournalism?

--What's your favorite quote (copy and paste it!) and why?

--What's your favorite photo and explain why? ...

After reading the Prelude and Chapter 1 of "It's What I Do," so far I have been really compelled by the style of story telling that Addario has. It is unfathomable the experiences that she went through leading up to the point where she talks about her time in Libya. One of the things that stuck out to me was the image of 3 months after the time she was detained at the checkpoint at gunpoint, thinking that she was going to die. It is always so fascinating to me to think about how many stories are held in the most mundane places. Yet, for her to continue to work in the field of photojournalism, to go out and to try to get that perfect photo to tell the story after all she had been through, is amazing. The lesson that I can apply from Addario to photojournalism is to trust your gut and have the confidence to get out and get the photo you want.

Favorite quote: "...when I am doing my work, I an alive and I am me. It's what I do. I am sure there are other versions of happiness, but this one is mine."