Chapter 3: The Art of Photojournalism

 

Image by: Trumbull White

Image source: http://cultureandhistory.revistas.csic.es/index.php/cultureandhistory/article/viewArticle/36/142

Year created: 1898

Subject Expression: She is slightly smiling, but has a soft look on her face. She is looking away from the camera, not making any eye contact, almost as if she were being flirtatious. Her body seems relaxed, and pure.

Quality of Light: The lighting in this image appears dull and flat. There is not much contrast but perhaps too much exposure in certain areas. The picture is more on the gray scale of the spectrum and does not use any bold statements.

Background Compliment: The photographer focuses on just the Afro-Puerto Rican women; he also includes the village people in the background as accessories that compliment her. The people add character and incorporate her origin. They show where they come from, and how they live.

Why did I choose this image? I chose this image because my mother’s family originates from Puerto Rico. This photo captured a different take on Latina women and how they look. Not all Puerto Ricans are of light complexion. We are a race of different shades of skin and hair texture. This image shows the beauty of the Afro-Puerto Rican women that are a part of our family ancestry.

Image by: Unknown
Image source: http://www.enciclopediapr.org/ing/section_mm_photo.cfm?cat=42
Year created: 1946

 Use of Shadows: In this image, the dark shadows give it a gritty look, showing the roughness of the dirt under the boy’s fingernails. It brings forward darkness to the image, which to me demonstrates the hard work the body in this pueblo go through selling newspapers.

 Exposure Time: the picture was captured at a slower shutter time. The image does not appear to be of any movement; the child was simply standing holding the newspaper in his hands. The photographer did freeze a moment in time where the boy is holding the papers in his hand, and it captured it at the very right moment while the boy was looking away.

 Image Black and White: this photo was taken in black and white. The photographer did have a choice in the selection of color, but chose otherwise. This was likely done because during this era, photojournalism was mainly seen as black and white. The reason for that is because black and white seems more life-like and natural.

Why did I choose this image? This photograph captured my attention because of the young boy holding the newspaper. It appears as though he is selling the paper for money. Money probably to give to his mother so that she can buy rice and milk so she could feed her family. Puerto Rico was facing a very difficult time in its economy at this time in history, and young boys and girls were expected to work hard to help provide for their families. This image also shows the side of childhood. The smile on his face reminds me of the way children grow up on the island; filled with smiles and sincerity.

Image by: Courtesy of the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Metal Alliance
Image source: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/06/a-soldiers-mission-to-honor-segregated-65th-regiment-borinqueneers/
Photo created: 1952

 Abstraction: this photograph is a representation of the men of Puerto Rico that died defending both their island as well as the United States of America. Many of the men in this photograph did not get the opportunity to get recognized for their service.

What Feelings Does This Image Create? It creates strength and dignity. You can see that these men are tired, but they hold their flag proudly. You can tell that they fought harder than they ever have in their life. The image captured a rare photograph of the special group of men that contributed to our country’s history.

 What in the Image Helped Create That Feeling? The flag played a big role in drawing in the emotions. The way these men made sure to take a photo of themselves with the flag shows how important it is to them, and to their island of Puerto Rico.

What made you choose this image? I picked this image for a few different reasons. While I was looking up photographs of Puerto Rico, this picture appeared. I did more research and I learned that this group of men were the first and only group of all Puerto Rican men in the US Army—The Borinquenners of the 65th Regiment. They fought in the Korean War, and in 2014 were given gold medals of Honor by President Barack Obama. After discovering this I became so happy. I learned something new about my heritage and the history of the island that my family calls home.