English 1301 Essay #2 Visual Analysis

Chen 5

Proofread the essay to make sure there are no grammatical and typing errors, the language is formal academic, and formatting is correct

Name : Qian Chen

Course: ENGL 1301

Instructor: Prof. Maur

Date: 2020/5/29

Tuskegee Airmen Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: Create your own title for this essay

Add the image here

Introduction

In Gordon Parks’ Photography titled “Tuskegee Men,” five men are pictured gambling in a room that appeared to be an air force base. All the four have pilot’s gear and they are black men, which very unprecedented to be as the image was taken in the year 1943. Eventually this was the first ever group of black men, who successfully completed a pilot’s training and become fully fledged pilots of the Air force. That is why the Tuskegee Men is very relevant and why it has found its way in the Gordon Park archives, because it is historical especially for the black community. The image is a clear representation of victory to the black community, this is an image that can be used to encourage other member of the black community that anything is possible as long one is able to put their mind to it. Thesis: In the thesis using the visual elements analyzed in this essay, show what the photographer is trying to achieve or portray Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: This seems to be copied from the website. Proved citation

Mainly because achieving what the Tuskegee men achieved in 1943 was an impossibility and this actually set precedent for the black community in the air force, it opened the doors for the other young people who had the same ambitions and dreams (Moye, 2010). Although the image is monochromatic it creates the feeling of fulfillment and hope to someone viewing the image and understanding the history of the characters in the image. This makes visual representation an important aspect especially in the civil rights movement, Gordon Park understood the power of Visual Representation and that is why there are various images with the same message. In a community that has experienced disparities for the longest period, making it in any field just like in the Air Force is a great achievement in regards to all the barriers that the black community faces in the country. Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: Not sure where the point from the source starts. This incorporation of source is incorrect Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: What is the purpose of this paragraph?

Thesis: The Gordon Park Archive is filled with Photography and similar materials of the black community. In a community that has faced oppression and disparity up to the moment, visual representation of black excellence and success is something that is integral to the spirit and hope of the black community.

Establishing the fact that the visual documentation of the black excellence is an integral part and one of the elements that build up the hope and spirit of the black community. It is also important to understand that how the Photographs in this case are taken is important to come up with intended message. Gordon Parks is no doubt one of the bets photographers ever and he used this talent in the civil rights movement. Looking at the archives one would want to know why the photographs are so influential, it is because of the visual element of each individual photo. Because Visual elements work together to create story and meaning. This will be the focus of this paper in establishing the elements of this photograph that stands out to communicate the message of black excellence and at the same time raising the spirits and hopes of the black community. Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: Again, the purpose of this paragraph is unclear

Topic sentence should introduce the element analyzed in this paragraph There are various elements that make this photograph excellent looking at the framing, the photograph is a portrait and it has been able to capture five black men in the pilot’s attire. The men are strategically placed at the middle of the photograph so that one can explicably focus on them, looking at the facial expression and see the fulfillment in the faces of these young black men. Combining the framing and the color of the Photograph it now clearly communicates the intended message. The photograph is monochromatic, meaning it is black and white, anyone viewing the photograph even without being told will immediately understand the Photograph is of a long time ago, in the era whereby maybe black men were not pilots of the Air Force and they are in the Army base Gambling. Even without having the date this will communicate that these men are successful in their field. Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: First analyze framing in detail and then analyze color Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: You did not analyze light here. This is very general analysis

Topic sentence should introduce the element analyzed in this paragraph The lighting is excellent, it not only shows clearly the faces of the men, but it also show the black board at the background wall, and one can see clearly the men have been busy in the Air Force. The black board shows the mission, remarks and pilot rows of the table filled. This again emphasizes on the aspect that these men are not only dressed in pilot attire but they are men who actually are working as pilots. Combining lighting with the content is important as it tells the whole story clearly. All in all the pictures tells a story of milestone that is achieved by black men, that directly reflects the resiliency and determination of the black community. It undeniable that a young man or woman viewing this photograph would want to be like the Tuskegee men in future.

In conclusion, photographs are important and interestingly communication tools, that is in addition to any other media of visual documentation. This is because people tend to learn, more with visual images that the word of mouth, and seeing is actually believing. Therefore the visual elements of the Photograph are very important, to make one individual in the black community believe in their dreams because one time the Tuskegee men believed in their dream and made history. Visual elements therefore are important in any instance, not only in the civil rights movement of black community. Having a properly taken photo will help it to serve its purpose of passing the message to the following generation. Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: Do not give general statements on photography here Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: At a minimum, your conclusion should remind your reader how the visual elements convey meaning.

Works Cited Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: Underline and the title should not be in bold letters

Moye, J. Todd. Freedom Flyers: The Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. Oxford University Press, 2010.

THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, 1943. Retrieved from http://www.gordonparksfoundation.org/gordon-parks/photography-archive/the-tuskegee-airmen-1943?view=slider#2 Comment by Kaur, Manavpreet: Cite the source correctly

Pilots Gambling, Selfridge Field, Michigan, 1943. Source: Gordon Parks Foundation