Please put the two tasks in two documents and submit them to me, ok? Please also write the citations of academic resources after the corresponding tasks.

Running Head: PHOTO ALBUM TASK 1

PHOTO ALBUM TASK 6

Photo Album Task

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Photo Album Task

Stern holds that describing a photograph is the process of determining the photograph's style being viewed (Lecture Notes, n.d). Some photographs are created to communicate a visual story that stirs emotional responses. The process entails illustrating what the photo looks like, its color, and the areas covered by each color. The description may capture the era from which the photo was taken. For example, the identified photo of Harriet Tubman suggests that it was taken during an era when colored photos were scarce or nonexistent.

The emotional impacts of a photograph need in-depth critique to help viewers understand and appreciate the photograph. Viewers' reactions vary depending on the knowledge and experience of subject matter in the photography (Lecture Notes, n.d). People's approach to photography is different, and, therefore, their critique technique varies from one person to the other. Harriet's photography evokes feelings, seriousness, and defiance. This can be observed from her gloomy face. She is wearing rather old-fashioned clothes, which suggest that she is from an era when fancy clothes like we have today were not common.

Harriet's photos tell a story. Stern holds that photographs are no longer prints on plain paper. They have possibilities for photographers at every moment, and each process can tell a story. Viewers can find unusual or new strategies for enhancing the message that photographers aim to convey with the photos (Lecture Notes, n.d). The photo indicates the agony and desperation in Harriet’s. It could be telling the story of her unbecoming experiences.

Foss considers technical novelty as the component of an image that violates the expectations of viewers. The image is exceptional or extraordinary for some reason, which draws viewers' attention. Its technical aspect is outstanding, which creates an unusual or a unique image because something about it is against the viewer's expectations. The violation operates to decontextualize and maintain interests in an image (Zafefsky, 1993). This results in an appealing image that Foss considers as the arousal of interests in attracting viewers to that image because it has a positive evaluation. Such images have elements that are presented virtually simultaneously to viewers because technical novelty offers these features. Some attributes of an image such as its form, structure, dimensions and construction technique make it outstanding as extraordinary. Technical novelty may be attained form varying scales apart from the conventional grand or miniature. In this case it stirs admiration because it has innovative or refreshing design (Zafefsky, 1993). Technical novelty in Harriet’s photo is in the form of design. The image has grayish and white color instead of the black and white colors that viewers would expect from a photo of this era. Besides, viewers would expect the lady in the photo to at least smile which is not the case. These attributes capture viewers’ attention.

Decontextualization implies that the expected content is not appropriate, and results in tension for the viewers. The image violates some expectations, which compels viewers to understand what is happening and identify a proper context where the image can be placed (Zafefsky, 1993). For example, people who wish to buy a DeLorean car may be attracted because the doors open upwards, unlike in other cars. The tension arises because the buyers are not sure if they will like a different car from all others on the road. The first thing that viewers note in Harriet's photo is her clear, focused, and piercing eyes. That is enough to give an idea that Harriet was tough and resilient because it gives an expression of a person full of power and driven by resilience.

Re-placement of an image implies giving it a familiar positive association or connotation by viewers altering what they interpret or see in a photo. This helps viewers comprehend what is going on in a photo since they associate the image with other familiar images. The occurrence of this situation solves tension and the possible surprise since the viewers make sense from the initial confusion that is previously created from the image (Zafefsky, 1993). When viewing Harriet's image, one would wonder why she looked at the camera with shape eyes. In most cases, people would smile in front of a camera, but she remains rigid. After further assessment of the photo, most viewers establish that Harriet was a tough woman and a fighter who risked her freedom to help slaves escape from slavery. After establishing this background, all questions are answered, and the tension is settled. This happens without altering the image but through analyzing the contest that viewers interpret the image. The context differs from how the viewers tried to interpret the image initially.

After reading the information that accompanies this image, the tension that the photograph creates is eased. Instead of viewing Harriet as a defiant and a serious woman, we understand her as a fearless and powerful individual who gave herself to enslaved people (American Photo Album, n.d). The information helps viewers understand the image by explicitly referencing associations that open the contexts with positive connotations and feelings that the image raises.

Task Two

A technical novelty in photography is described as an aspect that initiates the process of viewing images that are appealing as characterized by elements presented virtually and simultaneously to viewers (Lecture Notes, n.d). It implies aspects that violate viewers’ expectations in an image. In The Kiss, 1969, the faces the man and woman kissing are deformed by the impact of bringing them close to each other. The woman’s forehead has also been deformed as she elevates her face to kiss the man.

Decontextualization implies the expected context's inappropriateness, which ultimately creates tension for the viewers (Lecture Notes, n.d). For example, the man looks surprised by being kissed, although the woman is passionate about the action. He looks older than the woman and has a long beard. Viewers may develop tension of wanting to know why the man has his eyes wide open.

Re-placement of an image entails giving it a positive connotation or an association in a new but familiar context (Lecture Notes, n.d). This technique is critical in resolving the created tension in Decontextualization. For example, the wide-open eyes of the man in The Kissing, 1969 may suggest that he is having a revelation about love and the fusion of two human beings through intimacy.

References

American Photo Album. (n.d). Harriet Tubman

Lecture Notes. (n.d). Chapter 13: Critiquing photographs

Pablo Picasso. (n.d). The Kiss, 1969 by a Pablo Picasso. Retrieved from https://www.pablopicasso.org/the-kiss.jsp

Zafefsky, D. (1993). Rhetorical movement: Essays in honor of Leland M. Griffin. Northwestern University Press