HU200M1_Eric_Clarkson_Module_Assignment.docx

1 Module Assignment HU200M1 The Humanities and Photography Eric Clarkson Purdue Global University Professor Kirakosian December 20, 2023

2 Explain each photograph as though the reader has never seen it. What do you see? Dorothea Lange's photograph, Migrant Mother, was taken in 1936 by American photographer Dorothea Lange. The photograph shows a woman named Florence Owens Thompson and three of her children. The woman is seen in a stoic pose, her head slightly bowed and her palm resting on her chin. Her children are clustered around her, one of them placing his head on her shoulder. The black-and-white photograph has a stark, documentary vibe about it. The woman and her children appear drained and worn down, most likely because of their tough living conditions as migrant workers during the Great Depression. The image is widely regarded as an iconic

3 representation of the difficulties endured by migrant laborers during this historical period (Jacobus, 2022). The second image I selected is a black-and-white portrait of my wife that has a raw, documentary feel to it. It shows my wife holding our newborn child close to her chest in an intimate and emotional moment of new motherhood. The photograph represents the profound attachment that develops between mother and newborn during the journey of pregnancy and childbirth. The image is a testament to the incredible strength and resilience of new mothers. Despite the physical and emotional toll of childbirth, my wife exudes joy and relief, as evidenced by her delicate smile and the kind way she hugs our child. The photograph encapsulates the transformative effect of motherhood, displaying the complex mix of feelings that new mothers

4 experience, from the exhaustion and anguish of labor to the wonder and awe of holding a newborn child. Describe the image and the style in the photograph from the chapter. Then, do the same with your modern selection. Use and cite an idea from the chapter as a part of your analysis. Demonstrate how your understanding of the photographs has changed as a result of learning more about photography from the reading in this module. Dorothea Lange's 1936 photograph "Migrant Mother" depicts an impoverished migrant mother named Florence Owens Thompson with her children. The photograph has become an iconic symbol of the Great Depression era in America, and it has been frequently reprinted and studied in photography and art history classrooms (Jacobus, 2022). The photograph's approach can be classified as documentary photography or photojournalism, which seeks to capture a moment in time to inform or educate individuals about a specific subject. The photograph is distinguished by its sharp focus on the subject's face and the use of light and shadow to create a feeling of depth and emotional intensity (Jacobus, 2022). This image of my wife and daughter is a candid photograph that was taken spontaneously and naturally, which is a trademark of documentary photography. One of the things that makes

5 this photograph so poignant is the way it depicts the weariness and emotion of my wife and newborn daughter. The fact that my wife has just given birth and is holding our child for the first time is a monumental occasion, and the image perfectly conveys the mix of excitement, relief, and weariness that she must have felt. In addition to the exhaustion and elation shown in the photograph, my wife’s expression also emphasizes the uncertainty of parenting a newborn in today's world. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges that new parents endure in the modern world. My wife's look is a mix of hope and concern as she considers the future and the responsibility of raising a child in the current circumstances. As a result, the portrait bears witness to the common experience of new parents navigating the complications of motherhood in the modern world. That direct emotion is what makes documentary photography so captivating. After learning more about photography through reading "Humanities through the Arts," I have a greater understanding of the technical and artistic components of photography. I now grasp the significance of composition, lighting, and subject matter in taking a striking and lasting photograph. In addition, I've learned about the social and political background in which the

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