Photo/Final Essay

My interest lies in utilizing pictures of my hometown and pictures of Bridgeport, comparing the areas via poverty level and accessibility of needs, though very different areas they are less than an hour apart.  I am from a very small farm town in southeastern CT, where there are long windy roads and the scenery is beautiful, we have one gas station, a small convenience store and one restaurant in 'town' for us. Depsite having the opportunity to travel and see different areas of our country and the world, I really have never experienced or seen poverty first hand as it is in Bridgeport.  I think doing a photo essay using photos to express the differences, in addition to words that would express facts and reflection on the issues that clearly exist with such drastic differences existing in such a small distance.  Obviously this is clear just from Fairfield to Bridgeport, but I love where I am from and would love to be able to share it, while also highlighting important issues that we should be aware of.  Any feedback would be great, thanks!

Comments on my Hitch piece

Just wanted to put a post up letting everyone know that my piece on Christopher Hitchens is accessible on the left side of the page.  You are more than welcome to leave comments directly on the page, or here if it is more convenient! Thank you for any feedback :)

Photo Essays

I wanted to follow up my previous post with some examples of photo essays used by magazine sources.  TIME especially utilizes these, there are several examples of different takes on the world and situations involving the different areas explained through these essays- if your interested take a look :)

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519,00.html
- what the world eats

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2061413,00.html
-protest/rage in Syria
http://www.sweet-juniper.com/2009/07/feral-houses.html
- a bit of a different approach involving nature and feral houses in detroit

There are many more, they are becoming increasingly popular due to our love for our technology and are great ways to tell stories, when words cannot describe something seen!

Second Half of the Semester

After looking around the internet and brainstorming throughout the week I think I would like to attempt an essay more creative as suggested.  I am intrigued by the idea of a photo essay specifically.  I have done some internet research and it is interesting the approach individuals take toward it, and the powerful message or interesting message that is often delivered as a result of the placement or structure of the images.  I am not entirely sure of what I would like to focus on yet, I would like to get creative perhaps in comparing something, two areas, situations, through pictures, as they say pictures say a 1000 words.  I am still looking around and doing research on where exactly I will focus, but I am excited for the opportunity to take on a bit more creative writing aspect.  I am enjoying the ability to avert from the traditional structured academic essay that we are so used to writing and think it would be a great experience to dive into a new area!