Reaction Paper 2

I really liked this assignment. I found that I agreed with a lot of what Emmet Gowin had to say on home snap shots being a great source of inspiration. But at the same time, he didn't want to just record everyday life. His pictures are creative and simplistic. But I think because they are simplistic, that is what makes them beautiful. I feel the best example of this, is the picture titled Edith and Ruth. Where his wife is in the front and her sister is behind her. I like the details of the picture. Maybe it is because it is black and white. I love the attempt at seriousness that is on Edith's face, like the two of them are up to something. I felt like most of his pictures had a sense of realness to them. They are all very natural and I moved on thinking Edith was a very pretty woman.

I also really liked the "spring snow" photo. I liked how the edges were fuzzy and to tell you the truth I thought he did it on purpose. I laughed a little when I read that he actually was experimenting with a different lenses when he was taking these, and he use to cut the edges off. I think it adds to the photo, like it is telling the viewer where to look. The scene itself is very cozy and has a sense of home to it. I feel like what he is trying to get across is that you are forever changing your view of things. You start out at one point thinking this is the only way to do this or make this, and as you grow and your work grows, your view changes. Maybe that is what lead him to play with his camera lenses, and to eventually accept that the "whole" picture included the fuzzy edges.

I was also struck by some of the photos that inspired him. The pictures of the chickens, were....well to be honest, a little gross and a little weird. And I keep thinking about how nicely and neatly the chicken "parts" were laid out for the pictures. I am sure there is a lesson in there somewhere. Maybe what inspired him was the style of the pictures. With no distractions. I am not sure, but they have left a lasting impression that is for sure.