Born Into Brothels - assignment questions

Born Into Brothels

Part A:

1) I think that Zana described the reason for giving the children the cameras instead of her taking them herself, was because she wanted to the childrens point of view to be shared, instead of the point of view from an outsider. 

2) I think that the photographers point of view, or their unique voice is to be taken into great consideration because their living conditions and they way that they live, may be very different compared to ours. When I look at pictures, I also think about the way that the person may have been living. Different people take different pictures, so I have accepted the fact that all pictures will be different. Whether or not they are good or bad, I dont think I should be one to judge because its not like I have ever lived in the same conditions that they do. In every country, I think that there are different living standards, therefore there are also different standards that photography should be criticised with.

3) I think that when Avijit said this, it showed alot about his personality. It showed that he is very artistic in a way that he wants to show who is he is. Also, I think it is very sad as well, because the fact that the only way to express himself is with paint, and colours, makes it seem like in the conditions he lives in, his opinions and thoughts arent accepted or supported.

4) The way that I would define personal expression is all about the way you put yourself out to the world. The way you share your thoughts, opinions, talents, hobbies, feelings, ideas, anything that represents you, is all about personal expression or the expression of your personality. Photography, writing, and painting can be forms of sharing your personality because you can use colours and shapes to show who you are. Different colours have different meanings, and I also think that you can tell alot about a person just by looking at what they take pictures, or make pictures of. Whatever they may draw, write, or create, shows what their interests are.

Part B:

1)



    

I like this picture because I really like cats, and the way that the cat is positioned in the middle of the photo is really cool. The little red rug that the cat is sort of perched on, adds a little burst of colour to the neutral surroundings of it. To me, the picture looks very professional, and has a really nice colour contrast, just drawing my eye to it. It is also a very clear photo, not blurry or confusing, it is just simply really nice to look at.

I also really like this picture because the little girl is right in the middle of the page so I am immediately draw to her. The bright colours off to the right also keeps this photo from leaning towards the boring side. The way that the girl is wearing a dress that is very similar to the colour of the wall, adds depth to it as well. To me, the plain blue wall in the majority of the background represents her normal life of being a little girl growing up, where off to the right, it is like a little bit of her real life slipping into the photo. I get the impression that they arent very proud of their life, so when I see only a little bit seeping in, I feel as if she might be ashamed of where she really lives. It also makes you stop and think about the picture, instead of just glancing at it. 

2)

I think that this picture is one of the most effective photos for showing the issues in their lives because it is just a silhouette so it is hiding who this little kid might be. This ties into the fact that the issue of abuse of human rights is hidden as well, just the same way that this child is hidden. The bars in the background also look as if she is in a jail cell, just the way they might have felt by living in those conditions.

I think that this photo is very significant as well because of all the dark colours. To me, the dark colours symbolise sadness, and how this is one of the houses that they live in too. With the sky being dark grey and very plain, it shows me sadness. The roughness of the building shows how rough their lives may be also. I think that this photo can be linked to the way that alot of the children may feel about living here.

3) I do not think that a picture needs to be beautiful to be effective because alot of things that influence or effect people, arent always the beautiful and perfect things in life. A huge part of this video was to show the ugly sides of life, not the beautiful ones. I think that most of the pictures that the children took werent beautiful to look at, but the meaning of them, and what they symbolised was a beautiful thing. Also, I believe that the sad, ugly aspects of life are the ones that are most effective to me, because its the real thing. The not so beautiful photos never "sugarcoat" anything. I think that when a picture is beautiful, it is pleasing to the eye, but not always the heart. If it was beautiful, it definitely helps giving a happy impression, but happiness isnt always what life is about.