Truth and Representation

Truth is defined by the dictionary as that which is in accordance with fact or reality. Truth defined by me is the only constant of reality...that is what remains true for everybody. Truth is based on reality but reality is subjective, making it an idea. For instance, your reality might be a white picket fence with June Cleaver packing lunch inside while mine is a wire fence with dad coming home drunk every night. Your reality might be that you will be getting married someday while my reality is to travel the world and never settle down. Each and every one of us has a different reality but they are all tied together with one thing, and that is truth.

Truth is the fact that forms realities for people. Usually a current event or action that was taken, truth is always inarguable. It happened and there is no way that you can tell me it didn't. For instance, during the Civil Rights Movements many African Americans were lynched. That is the truth, no one can say that lynchings didn't happen. Truth is objective. Reality however is subjective. For the families of those who were lynched, the reality was the cruel injustices of racism and ethnic division and misunderstanding. For those who did lynch, the reality was a feeling of superiority and justice even; a feeling that whites were better than blacks...just because.

I think that images can be a very strong representation of truth because it documents things that happened in the context that they happened in (i.e. photographs of a crime scene or of war). Sometimes a picture is the only way that we'll ever be able to see or hold onto the truth. However, with digital maniupulation or any kind of manipulation for that matter, the truth may be distorted and that which we think to be fact could turn out to be not quite what we thought it was (Brian Wolski's photograph).

Photographs are also very powerful as documenting tools because we deem them to be credible. People will most often times believe what they see, especially if it is coming from a source where they would expect to be told the truth (i.e. TIME magazine or a newspaper). Sometimes, in fact, we believe what we see even if we know in our minds that it's probably not all the way real (i.e. magazine models and celebrities). By this I mean, I know that the model on the front cover of Glamour is digitally manipulated to look drop dead sexy, but for some reason i still believe that that's what she really looks like. And that might just be what i should look like too...

As far as providing evidence, the credibility of photography goes along with the photographers. Will current and future photographers be able to restrain themselves from digitally retouching or enhancing a scene to the point where it changes or skews the true content of the photograph? Whether or not they will be able to is somthing that I don't know, but only with honest journalists and photographers will we be able to trust photography as a source of evidence.

Hick Life at its finest.

Information you should acquire BEFORE reading my blog

About an hour or so north of Milwaukee there is a small town named Hustisford (Husty for short) that has about 1400 people...give or take a toddler. Located along Lake Sinissippi, this town has one main street (Main) which is taken up by 4 different bars, a bowling alley, a laundromat, a church, and a few other random shops. Also included in the town are various recreational areas (park and b-ball court) a library, and a school. This is my home town and i lived there for 18 years.

HICK LIFE AT ITS FINEST



Urban minds imagining small town (i.e. 2500 people or less) life usually conjure up images of a ghost town with one street, a couple mutts, and a handful of sequestered farmers who drink bad beer and need a better dental plan. With the exception of having a partiality to bad beer (Busch), these stereotypes about small town inhabitants are inaccurate and give city dwellers a skewed idea of what it's like to live in a small town. Now I'm not going to deny that I've seen a farmer or two on Main street, or that some people should probably just get new teeth altogether, but the vast majority of the population falls into the almost normal category...which is where all the rest of us are hanging out.

Hustisford is "hickish" if you will, but after this project, I've decided that's not necessarily a bad thing...in fact its pretty humorous actually. Because to me, hickish is 36 old people who bar hop during happy hour. To me, hickish is laughing hysterically when Bill finds his boot that has been turned into a flower pot by his wife. To me, hickish is taking a walk on main street and the finding that the only other living specimens around are dogs... and they're people watching. To me, hickish is actually having the opportunity to complement someone on a menagerie of fake flowers on their fence; its all that plus more and no matter what, hickish is always going to be home.



Studying photography has made me really think about what I consider to be reality and whether or not I think there is such a thing as reality, and I've come to the conclusion that we each have a reality based on our environment and experiences. Husty and the small town life is part of my reality and so that's what my photo essay is about. Hustisford and all the little quirks about it that I've come to know and love. And hopefully after seeing and reading this you will have a few different ideas about what its really like to be a hick.

Portrait

My roomie chillin in her room on her bed with her guitar after a long day of work and some sushi. This is Kelly in her most natural state of happiness and ease because all she has to do is play some good ole geee-tarrr. :)

Document Project

For this project I wanted to document the most intriguing thing there is in this world: people. And not just people...you or me. An actual person in all his or her individuality, which I believe to be best represented in one's eyes. In my document proposal I threw out the "Eyes are the Windows to the Soul" quote, stating my belief that looking into someone's eyes can give you a glimpse of their soul and a glimmer of their spirit. Driven by this notion, I went out and took pictures of eyes; all races, all ages, both genders, and lots of personalities. My results were very satisfying and the photos i took evoke in me a playful curiosity as I make notions about the thoughts racing through different people's minds. Hopefully it has the same affect on you. My favorite was this little boy (look familiar Marc??), not only because of his beautiful eyes, but because his are the most mysterious, at least to me. Photographing adults and older children, I would have to explain a lot of what I was doing before the picture, but this little guy just let me shoot his pic mid bike ride with his mom and brother. All in all, I think my goal of capturing individuality was accomplished and hope that you enjoy my photos!

A link to my flickr for more...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stayawhile89/sets/72157605293463255/

The Windows to the Soul (Document Proposal)

Someone once said that the eyes are the windows to our soul. Looking into someone’s eyes can really reveal a lot about them; their mood, their feelings, their thoughts. Life gives each and every one of us different experiences, and no two people are the same. Each of us has our own individual streak which, whether we like it or not, sets us apart from every other person in this world. Having said that, I believe that it is in one’s eyes that we are able to see at least a sparkle of who that person really is. In this project, I will be photographing the eyes and only the eyes, of all different walks in life. Old and young. Rich and poor. Happy and Sad. You get the idea. This will document a few things. First and foremost, the eye itself and the differences in shape, color, and size. While the physical traits of an eye can be somewhat interesting in and of itself, I find what’s behind the eyes to be exponentionally more riveting and intriguing. In this project, I would like all of us to examine the eyes I photograph and make inferences about their thoughts, feelings, and emotions at that given moment in time. What are they thinking about? I think that making these inferences will be interesting not only because we will all have different opinions, but because there are no wrong answers. And those are always the best kinds of questions to answer.

Some Quick thoughts on the Lighting Project.

Capturing light was a bit of an eye opening experience for me as a photographer. Before this project, I didn't pay much attention to lighting in my pictures and was always more focused on the subject matter at hand. But as light BECAME my subject in this project, I suddenly had a heightened awareness as to how it can affect the subject, picture, and even the idea one is trying to get across. The ambiance, feel, and mood of a picture can drastically change with a difference in lighting and can be a great aid in helping the photographer convey a meaning or message to his or her viewers, which was one of the challenges Szarkowski talked about. This project has really changed the way I take pictures because it has opened my mind to think about more than just the subject of the picture I am taking. I think that this experience and newly acquired knowledge will really help me to grow as a photographer and improve upon what basis I have.

Light Project

My favorite kind of light is full-out brilliant sunlight. You know, the glorious kind that hits you when you step outside after being couped up in a dingy building doing some menial task or something. This light comes right around mid day when we need it the most, and than winds down into evening to return the next day. The reason that this is my favorite kind of light is because it just makes the world into a more vibrant place. With life being as hectic and crazy all the time, I guess its kinda nice when I notice the way the sun peeks through a lilac bush or reflects off the water making the world sparkle a little bit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stayawhile89

Just Me:)

I don't know if we're supposed to do this for the course but I figured why not? I am a sophomore at UWM and am a Ad/PR Major and Graphic Design double major. I am 19 and very energetic and bubbly. I am very much looking forward to this class because I am very interested in Photography!! Three things you might find interesting about me are I play the oboe, have been playing for the past 9 1/2 years and also am in band at school, I am very interested in philosophy and deep thinking, annnd I am very obsessed with recess peanut butter cups. Well i wish i could write more but I am about to be late for my next class:)! Being on time isn't really my thing...hence taking an online class:)

Nice to meet you:)

Liz