How do the readings explore what we see and hear in important moments? What do you see and hear that is important and valuable to me? How do you engage with challenging images that other present you with?
The readings had some very important examples of simple photos or stories that capture important moments that we would not ordinarily give a second look. It is like the old saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. This is true and emphasized throughout the readings. There is a story behind every moment that is captured in a photograph. Even the senior portraits from different decades showed what was socially acceptable and elements of segregation and then integration. The pictures of the children in war-torn countries were especially moving. The photos focus on the eyes or the faces of the children and you can immediately know what they are feeling, thinking, or suffering through. A picture, if looked at closely enough does say a thousand words. It captures moments that may not be important at that moment, but will become important later in life or in future generations.
Things that I see and hear that are important to me are pictures of my friends and family, particularly of my ten month old niece Addison. It is difficult to be away from her and miss the most crucial parts of her development. I savor and cherish each video and photo that my sister updates me with. These are valuable because they help me feel that I am still connected to my family even when I am across the country from them. Other images that I react to are of suffering. It is difficult for me to look at pictures of suffering because I feel so connected and empathetic for the person in the photo. It reminds me how wonderful my life is. It makes me realize that there is more work that I need to do in the world to create more moments of happiness to be photographed than sadness.
When I am presented with challenging images, such as the NPR add in the reading with the soldier sitting and talking to the young child from another country with the gun aimed and ready to shoot, it really triggers something inside of me. It is difficult for me to process such extreme examples of distrust, anger, and hatred. I also feel helpless in many instances because there is nothing that I can do to go back in time and change the photograph. However, it does make me hopeful for the future for happier and more loving moments to be captured as well. Seeing distressing images as unwanted as they are, it is a reality check. It is a slap in the face that many people need in the world and especially in our country. Images of this sort are necessary and effective in raising awareness and capturing the attention and heart of the viewer.
That's a great point about the photo's of children in war-torn countries. There is something about a child's face that can tell it all.
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