This cartoon is addressing the revolt in Egypt and facebook's influence in it.  Modern technology completely changed Egypt's political standing.  

Although facebook has proven useful for more than just mindless gossip through it's influence on the revolt in Egypt, Americans are still using it to talk about completely trivial things.  

MTV Generation?

1. Your age group has been referred to as the "MTV Generation," which carries a negative connotation of teen-agers that have little to no interest in anything, and even if you did, your attention span is grossly limited. Is this true?
2. Where do you get your news?
3. If a news article is accompanied by a photograph, do you read the article or rely totally on the visual?
4. Is it impossible for a "complicated message to be relayed in a 10-second sound bite" that the news media uses to get the message across? Is this possible? What are the advantages of using photographs? What are the disadvantages?

Answers:

a.) I don't think this is true at all. Generalizing a whole generation into one category is completely unfair.

b.) I get my news from the Internet, television news programs and the newspaper.

c.) I usually look at the photo first and, if it catches my attention, I read the article to find out what it's about.

d.) I think it is possible to relay a piece of news in 10 seconds, but it might be impossible to include the whole picture of the story. The advantages of using photos is that they can sum up an entire story in a way that only takes the reader a few seconds to understand. However, the disadvantages include the photos sometimes being misleading or misinterpreted, damaging the story or distracting the viewer from the actual story that accompanies the picture.

Analyzing Environmental Portraits

1.Natural light or flash used? How do you know?

A flash is used, which is evident based on the amount of light on the subject and lack of light in the background directly behind her as well as the shadows cast both on and behind the subject.

2. List the photo composition techniques used.

Photo techniques used include framing, leading lines, and rule of thirds.

3. Describe details of the subject. (Clothing, eyes, hair, pose, facial expression)

Along with the background, the subjects clothes show that she is a competitive swimmer.  Her facial expresssion shows determination and passion for what she is doing.

4. Describe details of the background environment. (colors, textures, lighting, indoors/outdoors)

The background establishes setting.  The color creates contrast but does not detract from the focus and the way it fades to black in the background adds to the subject's facial expression.

5. From these descriptions, write a sentence(s) describing the personality of this subject.

This girl is extremely determined, competitive, and loves what she does.

6. How did the combination of pose, expression, background and lighting create your perception of this subject?

My perception of this subject could not have been reached without the background and clothing that was used.  Furthermore, her expression is what makes her personality show.  Without that, she would just be a normal swimmer.

1. Natural light or flash used? How do you know?

Natural light is used. There are no shadows.
2. List the photo composition techniques used.

Rule of thirds is used.
3. Describe details of the subject. (Clothing, eyes, hair, pose, facial expression)

The woman's clothing and hair convey a sense of confidence and natural beauty.  Her facial expression, however, conveys that she is somewhat sheltered and almost wary of intruders. 
4. Describe details of the background environment. (colors, textures, lighting, indoors/outdoors)

The background is outdoors, mostly green and brown, and includes a lot of sunlight.
5. From these descriptions, write a sentence(s) describing the personality of this subject.

Based on this photograph, I would describe this woman as confident but sheltered. 
6. How did the combination of pose, expression, background and lighting create your perception of this subject?

Her facial expression had the most influence in creating my perception of her.  Her surroundings would suggest peace and happiness, yet she looks almost angry.  The contrast is interesting.



Environmental Photo Essay

Life's Work

Decorating Dream