Photos for Paper #1 and Assignment

Here are the photos for Paper #1: the paper assignment is beneath them (click on "read more" to see it)

Paper #1: The Enigma of the Ordinary

First, choose ONE of the following images (which you can find posted on our blog) to form the basis of your Paper #1:

·         Sharbat Gula, by Steve McCurry

·         Migrant Mother, by Dorothea Lange

·         The Soiling of Old Glory, by Stanley Forman

·         Kentucky Flood, by Margaret Bourke-White

Once you’ve settled on a photo you’re interested in, I want you to write a short paper (3-4 pages, double spaced) that answers the following questions:

·         What do you think this photo is depicting: what is the story/context behind it?

·         Why do you think the photographer took it?  What was his/her message or intent?

·         Are there any context/clues in the photo that might make the image “false”—i.e. propaganda? 

·         Is the picture “news” or an important image for people to see?

·         Is it ethical/unethical?  Should we see this image?  Is it too private, upsetting? 

·         Why do you think this photo is so famous?  Is it for the story, the event, the emotion, or the ‘art’ of the image?

A FEW ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

·         You must use at least TWO of the essays in class (Morris, Simic, Ephron) as a voice in your paper’s conversation.  Quote a passage or two from each essay to respond to: how do these authors help you see/discuss ideas in the photos?  Remember, if you use ideas you learned from Morris’ essay, be sure to quote them and give him credit.  Use the author as a ‘voice’ in your paper so you’re writing a dialogue rather than a monologue.

·         Try to avoid researching or learning about the image.  Just examine it as a work of art that you have no absolute context about.  What “innuendos” does the picture, alone, evoke for you?  What context do you bring to the table?  I don’t want you to learn about the photo and then simply tell me what you learned from a website, etc. 

·         Cite all quotations according to MLA format (we’ll discuss this in class) and include the essays in your Works Cited page. 

Paper #1 is DUE IN-CLASS on Tuesday, September 9^th by 5pm.  Please e-mail me with questions or speak with me after class or during my office hours.  Good luck and try to enjoy it!  Remember, respond to the image and to the other writers—don’t BS or try to reinvent the wheel!