Carlos Hernandez

Carlos Hernandez

Dorothea Lange, White angel breadline San Francisco 1933                                                      

Gelatin silver print

Dorothea Lange was born in Hoboken New Jersey in 1895. She is best known for her photographic work during the Great Depression. After receiving her degree from Columbia University in New York, in 1918 she moved to San Francisco. Once on the west coast, she took her camera and instead of working in her studio she went to the streets and took pictures of the homeless people and farm workers that were the most affected by the Depression. She later was hired to work for the US government and the resettlement administration, and was in charge of making photographs in front of soup kitchens to alert the media to ongoings. These images were later given to the local newspapers. 

This image was taken outside of f a soup kitchen in San Francisco. This picture caught my attention because while everyone waits in line there is one man facing the opposite way even thought you can't see it there is hopelessness and despair in the man's face. While looking at this picture I sit and think we don't always stop and think of the things that grandparents or even great grandparents went through back in those times to survive and have food on their plates, we just complain about the things we have and take everything for granted.

Rosselyn Cruz

 
​Rosselyn Cruz

Tony Sweet, "New York Street Scene" 

Tony Sweet captured this image in Times Square in the City of New York. He photographed this image after capturing traditional Time Square shots, then he came across this street where he caption this image "New York Street Scene."

I selected this image because it shows many things. From the way the photograph captured the scene to the people that are in it. From my perspective, the colors make the image look glamorous. The chairs remind me of home ... but in green. The color red is the most predominant, a positive fun color. Wait! This is in Times Square in New York, full of crowed people, whom most seem to have a great time! That's it! The atmosphere, the people, and the moment, why not capture an image to save those as great memories?  I was amazed after looking at this image. 

"This is one of my favorite NYC images and was completely spontaneous." –Tony Sweet

Jeremy Ekizian

Jeremy Ekizian

Ansel Adams, "Monolith, The Face of Half Dome"

1927

Born in San Francisco, California, Ansel Adams was always fascinated with nature. Most of his stunning photographs were taken across California in the 1920s through the 1950s. This particular photograph was shot in Yosemite National Park in Northern California. It features the park's main attraction, Half Dome; a towering slab of solid granite that overlooks the entire park. In comparison to the massive evergreens in the edge of the photo, Half Dome is a giant. When I went to Yosemite a few years ago, I knew nothing about Ansel Adams or his work; nonetheless, the monolith left me awestruck when I was at the park. Seeing his image only reinforces the wonder I felt when I first saw it. Viewing Half Dome in black and white adds a bit of amazement to the photograph, as the contrast between the sky and the granite is clear cut and so well defined.

Tamia Files

Tamia Files

Gordon Parks, "Department Store"

1956

The photo I chose was shot by Gordon Parks who was a self-taught artist. Although Parks became the first African-American photographer for Life and Vogue magazines, he grew up in a segregated world and faced discrimination his whole life simply because of his race. This photo speaks to me because I am African-American myself and I am thankful that I did not have to grow up in the horrible environment my grandparents were raised in. Even though racism still exist today, the world has changed significantly despite what people may think. I can walk down the street without being scared that someone will try to hurt me because of the color of my skin. I can go to school and receive the same education as everyone else. I can become anything I want to be and it doesn't matter what shade I am.

Nicolo Requiestas

Nicolo Requiestas

UNKNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER, "Father and Mother Holding a Dead Child"

1850s-1860s, daguerreotype

  This Daguerreotype is an example of Victorian post-mortem photography, the subject being a family with a dead infant. It was a common practice and not considered morbid or creepy at the time, though it illustrates the era's high infant-mortality rate. Since the Daguerreotype was new, many families did not practice the process until after their children died, hoping that one picture eternalized their short lives. In all honesty, I believe this picture is more fascinating than others that attempt to emit a more philosophical meaning behind them. It's a simple, family keepsake that reminds me of my grandfather's passing and my mother's regret of not having a recent photo with him, as he lived in another state and visits were infrequent. From seeing her reaction, I recognized the importance of family photos. Now, whenever we travel somewhere, we seldom take pictures of an empty area; our family fills that void.

 The "Daguerreotype" was invented by Louis Daguerre and Nicephore Niepce in the 1830s, produced by polishing a silver plate, iodizing it, taking a long exposure with it through a pinhole camera, fuming the plate with mercury, and then fixing/framing it. Many Daguerreotypes that followed this strict process have transcended the test of time and reside in perfect condition; a fitting outcome for the family photos.

" 'Mr. Hannington was so terribly grieved at having no photo or memorial of any kind of the bairn,' Mrs. Ewing's impulsive kindness came to the rescue: 'This gave me something to do, for I slipped into the room where the coffin was, and made a sketch of the poor little face in its coffin and with flowers at its feet…, and I sent it to her. She was very much pleased, I believe.' "

–Juliana Horatia Ewing (Henish 179)

Diana Martinez

Diana Martinez

Manuel Alvarez Bravo "Striking Worker Murdered"

1934 Gelatin Silver 18.7x24.4cm

I chose this exposure because for one it depicts a real person in a horrific scenario. This image stood out from the rest because events like this always touch me. It shows how man will always resort to violence to prove they are the stronger being. It shows how a man can work hard and struggle to change things but can easily be struck down by their superior to strike fear into the rest. This man was a union leader of a sugar mill most likely striking to better the work environment for himself and his fellow workers. Bravo wanted to show not a hero or martyr but a sacrifice to "the gods of society" something that had to happen to improve the"well-being" of the Mexican people. Bravo set himself up so that this photo could depict the mans coffin encasing the man in this eternal frame. Manuel Alvarez Bravo was a self taught photographer born in Mexico in 1902 he started with pictorialism and then was inspired by cubism and everything offered by abstraction he started exploring modern aesthetics. Soon after he got into documentary photography and in 1943 he began doing still shots that got him into cinema. He held over 150 exhibitions when he was alive. He died in 2002 at the age of hundred.

Sara Ahmadianpour

Sara Ahmadianpour

James Balog, "Live Oak Hand"

1998

James Balog is an American photographer who tries to apply intuition from art and science to demonstrate a transforming world. His photographs mainly include the connection between man and nature; and, his style ranges from simple displaying of subjects to what he perceive them to be. He has several books in art and has achieved many awards for his works. This photograph is picked from the book "Tree: A New Vision of the American Forest". This is the image of a huge oak tree that is covered by an enormous cloth brought by the wind. My reason for choosing this photograph was because of its mysterious sensation. The image is clear and bright, while it has power and spirit. It reminds me of a hand that is grasping and trying to survive. I like the mild light from behind the scene; it reveals the sense of hope for me.

Anna Garcia

Anna Garcia 

Lee Friedlander "Baltimore"  

1968 Gelatin silver print 

Lee Friedlander was born 1934, and began his career as a photographer in 1948. During the 1960s Friedlander, became interested in capturing the social landscape of the USA. He is also known as the photographer that would include a self-portrait in his series of work. His self-portraits consisted of reflections in mirrors or hidden shadows. This image speaks to me because it shows the social changes that were taken places during the 1960s. The 1960s was the era known for the freedom and love movements happening. Everything about her makes a social statement, from her short dress, neon bar lights, to the cigarette in her hand.This image speaks to me because I believe she is standing up for what she believes and breaking free from the social norms. I can relate to this image because as i was growing up my parents would always tell me what a lady should and shouldn't do, and of course I would always go against the rules and do what was right for me. 

Lenor Vaknin

Lenor Vaknin

Simon Robertson "Fingernail Scratches in Main Gas Chamber, Auschwitz, Poland"

2004

Mama? I'm scared. I don't know what's happening. I thought I was going to the shower. That's what those scary men told me. I don't think that's where they took us, though. There are so many people and it's so dark. They locked us in here. I want to get out. I'm so scared, mama. I miss you. Why did they take you away from me? Wait! I hear something. It's very quiet but I can hear it. It smells funny, now, and everybody is yelling. I think I know why, the smell is gross. Mama? I can't breath, mama. I want to leave this place. I can't breathe and it smells icky. Please come get me mama. Please. I think I see you! Is that you? My eyes are heavy. They're closing but I think I can still see you. You're coming for me! You're coming to save me! I've missed you so much. I'm so happy that you still love me. Thank you for coming back for me, mama. I love you always.

Tiffany Munoz

Tiffany Munoz

UNKNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER, "Teenage Girl Waiting for Train"

1960

Alone, Ellen Schmitz who was only 16 years old awaits a train at the Union Station in Chicago Illinois. Where she is headed I wonder, this image can tell a thousand stories. The only information provided was the background story of the Pennsylvania Railroad where many passengers have been left stranded in different cities and in this case, Chicago. From my observation, Ellen is dressed for an occasion and sitting on a small suitcase waiting for the next train to arrive to take her to her destination. This photo called my attention and made me curious as to why she is traveling alone with a single suitcase. Could she be running away? No other train passengers are revealed in this photo, let alone a train to aboard or exit. No emotion is expressed in her face except her body is slumped as if she were bored or merely discontent. I am affected by this picture considering the thought of being stranded in an unfamiliar city, I feel deserted as she is surrounded by emptiness. A never ending silence seems to fill this captured moment.