Logan Bik
Danny Lyon ""Building Shakedown, Ellis Unit, Texas"
1968, Gelatin silver print
I chose this image because it provides an insight into the prison system of the 1960's. In the image we can see the flow of prisoners through the halls—naked. The guards peering down, grimaces on their faces. The photographer, Danny Lyon, used a slow shutter speed causing a blur effect, allowing for the viewer to fill in the gaps and see amount of prisoners compared to guards.
This idea of power is one that is prevalent in the justice system. Although we are all human, when someone is given the idea that they hold more power, they begin to act as gods, ones that unearthly compared to the prisoners.
In the past, Danny had photographed a prison rodeo where he had met some inmates who encouraged him to make photographs at the prison. Lyon later moved to texas and spent 14 months going to 7 of the 13 Texas prisons documenting life behind bars, often creating friendships that lasted till death.
