Photography with a Message

Part A - Answer the following questions:

1.What did Zana describe as the reason for giving the cameras to the children in the beginning of the documentary, i.e.: why didn't she just take the photographs herself?

She wanted to see the world through the eyes of the children. She wanted to understand what they go through and see every day because taking the photos herself wouldn't let her into their lives in the intimate way them capturing their own photos would.

2.Why is the photographer's point of view or unique voice part of what we consider when we talk about pictures? Can't we simply judge all pictures by the same criteria of good and bad regardless of who took them?

No, each photographer has their own style, so each person might have different ideas as to what makes a good photo, or what composition suits the message we want to send. There are certain guidelines we can follow for creating good composition, but sometimes even the most hectic and turbulent photos are the most emotionally impacting.

3. Reflect on what Avijit first says about painting: “I like to draw pictures because I want to express what’s on my mind…I want to put my thoughts into colors.” What does this tell us about him?

He's a born artist. He's emotional and has passion for creating things.

4. Throughout this lesson, the term ‘personal expression’ is used to refer to art, sports, writing, and other activities. How would you define personal expression? How are photography, painting and writing forms of personal expression?

I think personal expression is any way a person expresses the thoughts and ideas burning around in their head and puts them into some form for other people to appreciate and see.

5. How can art (personal expression) serve as a means of educating others about a

particular issue.

It helps give more personal meaning to something as opposed to a government dealt poster or something. Art comes from a person's thoughts, so when they create art about a certain issue, it's them putting their own effort and thoughts into it to speak their opinion.

Part B- Critique

In the first critique I had you complete I encouraged you to only look at the physical qualities of the

pictures. This time I would like you to do a TWO part critique.

Visit this Kids with Cameras Gallery and look at the pictures, notice the links at the bottom of the page

are for locations other than India where this project has taken place.

i) Select what you believe are the 2 most beautiful images based on traditional photography standards

(Nice contrast, appealing colours and textures, clear focal point etc...) And in a sentence for each explain why you like them.

I think “Girl on a Roof” is one of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. I love the bright colors, and I love how even though it's so simple, but it expresses the prettiness of the girl in the sweetest way. She's the main focal point, but there's the block of color and things going on on the right which I think adds interesting texture to the photo.

I also like “Silhouette” because of the contrast between the black and the yellow light, and the fact that, yeah, it's a silhouette so it makes for a nice focal point. I love how you can kind of see other things going on in the room because of the lights reflection, and I enjoy the fact that it's all really simple, and yet effective.

ii) Select what you believe to be the most effective pictures at conveying a message or educating you about the issue of human rights abuses. And in a sentence for each explain why you chose them.

I think “Babai”, “Stove”, and “Up the Stairs” show a lot about the real life conditions they go through each day and paint a picture of what their life is actually like, as opposed to the fun, happy pictures. It makes everything more real. Each picture depicts some of the mundane tasks they have to do in order to just survive, and I love how raw and just plain THERE they all are. They don't gloss over things, and they make you feel empathy because of the sadness that's in them.

iii) Does a picture need to be beautiful to be effective? Does it help?

No, definitely not. In my opinion some of the least beautiful pictures can be the most effective. They create an uncensored version of every day trauma people have to live with. Look at wartime pictures and disaster journalism. It's the content, not always the perfect lighting or composition.