Podcast Description

In my class, we had to create a podcast about whatever we wanted to. I obviously wanted to do something with music, AGAIN! So I just happened to know that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was right around the corner. I talked about the inductees and the history of the museum and the ceremony. Sadly, I couldn't put it on this blog, but perhaps in the future I will become more technologically inclined and will be able to upload it.

This is an autobiography that we had to create. I was interviewed about my family and friends, as well as what I enjoy doing.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeQDFyEi1s0&feature=youtu.be

GRAFFITI ARTICLE

Finally something that doesn't praise great rock artists! It was time to write a shorter article when it came to this one. I'm genuinely interested in all the different forms of graffiti, so it was fun to learn about the art form.

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            Is Graffiti expression of creativity and imagination or just an act of public vandalism? On debate.org, 85% of people think that it is in fact art, making only 15% of the people who voted believe that it is just a felony.

I personally believe that graffiti can be a form of expression. It lets people know how other individuals feel. Many popular themes in graffiti are environment, war, and current events. The most popular things that you see, though, are unique creations that the artist paints.

Many people describe graffiti as Art through Vandalism. It can also be used to send a message to political leaders and celebrities. Many forms of graffiti have a political message, for example, to show corruption in government and society.

            Graffiti originated in the 1960’s in America and was created by political activists and gangs who protested the Vietnam War.

            There are many different forms of graffiti, according to weburbanist.com, such as:

·      “Tagging: writing the artist’s street name in a single color usually used simply as a signature.

·      Throw-up: a more complicated tagging technique that has two or three colors, which shows more of the artist’s personality and imagination.

·      A Piece: a piece is a large, elaborate creation of at least three colors that is much more complex than a tag or throw-up.

·      Blockbuster: a graffiti technique used to either cover up others art or keep others from painting in the same area. It usually is painted with a paint roller and can have as many colors as wanted.

·      Heaven: A heaven piece is the most dangerous kind of graffiti. It is always in a hard to reach place such as the tops of a high buildings or freeway signs.”

Graffiti has gone through years of praise and years of hatred. Many graffiti artists, including the famous Banksy, have climbed to fame for doing what some people say is just a felony. Banksy, whose work is shown below, is most likely the world’s most famous graffiti artists. He used a dark sense of humor and his signature stencil design to make a name for himself.

Documentary vs. Reality Television Essay

                   There are many differences between documentaries and reality television. According to the dictionary, documentaries are defined as a movie or television show that provides factual evidence about a certain event or person. On the other hand, reality TV is defined as a television program in which real people are continuously filmed and are designed to entertain rather than inform.

            Documentaries are usually praised for their raw and honest perception of someone or something. Even though most documentaries do not include action sequences or deep romance elements, the genre has increased in popularity over the past fifteen years. Some of these highly acclaimed documentaries include Bowling for Columbine, Bully, and Super Size Me. These documentaries have won awards for their insight on pop culture and problems in our society.

            Reality television shows on the other hand, are usually highly false and, more often then not, panned by critics. They usually include a celebrity or a dysfunctional family and only choose to include what makes the person look bad most of the time. This clashes with the truthful and unscripted feeling of documentaries. There is an oversaturation of reality television shows on television, with too little honest television programs. They brainwash people into thinking what they are watching are true events, while they are almost entirely created by writers. A few examples are American Idol, Survivor, and Dancing with the Stars. Even though these television shows are formulaic and repetitive, in their heyday these shows killed it in reviews and have developed huge followings.

            With the honest and real feeling of a documentary providing a new view of society and the almost idiotic feeling of a reality show, it is not surprising both have huge fan bases. Overall it is up to the viewer to tell the producers what does well in the box office and what fails. With the growing popularity of documentaries and the decreasing popularity of reality television, this may be the sign of increasing intelligence in our society, or just that there is nothing good on television. 

Dan Eldon and other Photographer's Essay

After watching a documentary on the late photojournalist Dan Eldon, we had to write an essay about wether or not we believed that photojournalists are heroes. This took some thought and time, but I believe that they are.

              Photojournalists are extremely determined and brave people. This was no exception for Dan Eldon. Dan Eldon was a twenty two year old photojournalist who took photographs of famine and riots in Mogadishu, Somalia. He was stoned to death with three other photojournalists on the day he was scheduled to go back to his home in Kenya. Photojournalists are heroes because they deliver us the truth about what is going on throughout the world.

 I think that Amy Eldon’s journalistic journey while filming “Dying to Tell the Story” was interesting because she got to learn about her brother’s life and photography, as well as meet other photojournalists. She gained a better understanding of the art of photography and why people feel compelled to take photographs. She learned just how far her brother and other photojournalists would go to get a specific photo by going out and interviewing people. One photojournalist in particular that she interviewed was Martin Bell. He photographed conflicts in Vietnam, Nigeria, Ireland, and the Middle East. He believed that you could not become detached from photography, especially when you were taking a picture of someone being shot at. He even said “Don’t feel sorry for us and don’t feel bad for us.” He let people all over the world know what it was like to be in war-torn countries.

An example of a photojournalist that believed that you should never become emotionally attached to your work is Peter Magubane.  He believed that when you become attached, you would not be able to do your job. His life goal was to tell the world about apartheid in South Africa. He said that “My camera is my mouth piece, some of us have to use their pen, and some of us have to use our cameras to bring down the system.” Don McCullin is an example of a photojournalist who got so attached to his work that he is now haunted by his memories and photographs. Don McCullin even said to Amy Eldon, “There is no place to hide behind a camera. The pain is almost more real when looking through the camera.” He took pictures of soldiers and people that were affected by war.

I think that Dan Eldon and other photojournalists are, as Jacqueline Arzt Larna said, “a public service.” They provide everyday people with photographs that can make us laugh, cry, smile, or yell in anger.  They are essential in delivering the raw and real news we will not get on the television or in newspapers.

Genesee River Photography Project

After we finished learning about world famous photographers, we had to take a stab at it ourselves. We got to choose what the focus of our photo analysis project, and it took me awhile to figure mine out. Eventually I realized that I could go to the local Genesee River Falls. I have been going to the falls since I was very small and always find something new whenever I go there. It lets me realize the beauty of nature, and the dirtiness of the human nature.


http://prezi.com/wnqs9ndi_vnp/genesee-river/

W.Eugene Smith Photography Analysis

Instead of just writing an article on some random photographer none of us had ever heard of, my teacher had us create a prezi on a photographer none of us had ever heard. For those of you who have access to better presentation programs, or any other presentation programs, prezi is a free website that you can create a web of ideas and be able to present them with "ease." I decided to do my prezi on the great W. Eugene Smith.

 http://prezi.com/pm5pvgp9hhrj/w-eugene-smith/