Yun Jeong Lee/Reaction Essay/Tues 11am

<Reaction Essay>

 

 

201002551 E.I.T

Yun Jeong Lee

 

 

Photographs convey more than mere images; they carry certain feelings that is difficult to explain in words. Such feelings create unique atmosphere of the photographs. The two photographs, -"Village School" by Margaret Bourke-White which was published in 1934, and "Children's Puppet Theatre, Paris 1963" by Alfred Eisenstadt- are quite similar but very different at the same time. The main subjects of both photographs are children. However, they give a very different feeling that elicit very different responses from the viewers.

 

The mood of Margaret Bourke-White's photograph is very gloomy and dark. The room is very dark, which makes the photograph seem calm and gloomy. The wooden tables seem to suggest there is some strict order in the classroom. The table are lined up in a perfect row, which adds perfection to the classroom. Children have their hands neatly under the tables and they have the same rigid looks on their faces. Children's hair is short, like those of armies. Moreover, the children are all boys, which gives a stiff feeling to the photograph. Their necks seem to be stiff. Children are all looking forward, only rolling their eyes to look at the photographer. It feels as if the children are devoid of freedom, not even free to turn their heads.

 

The atmosphere of the Alfred Eisenstadt's photograph is very different from "Village School". Children's facial expressions are very interesting. Some are screaming with their mouths wide open, while some have their jaws dropped, awe-stricken. A boy in the front has his ears covered, as if his ears are hurting from loud noise. His big eyes are shining with wonder. The boy in the middle is jumping from his seat, with his hand shooting forward while at the same time, shouting with his mouth wide open. The general tone of the photograph is very bright. The children are standing and acting the way they feel like acting, which makes it seems as if they have more freedom than the boys in "Village School".

 

The two photographs are very different. The biggest difference are the lighting and the facial expressions of the children. In "Village School", the lighting is very dark, with light shining only on the heads of the children. Such lighting emphasizes that although the surroundings of the children may be dark and gloomy, children themselves are very bright and hopeful. On the other hand, in "Children's Puppet Theatre, Paris 1963", the photograph is bright over all. The photograph is very bright that tows of children in the background are visible. The facial expressions are also very different. In "Village School", children have very similar and stiff facial expressions; there is no variation among them. However, the children in "Children's Puppet Theatre, Paris 1963" have more dynamic and lively facial expressions, all unique and different from one another.

 

Though children are the main focus of both photographs, the feeling of two photographs is very different. "Village School" is rather calm and strict, while "Children's Puppet Theatre, Paris 1963" is more lively and dynamic. Such difference in atmosphere of the two photographs comes from the difference in the lighting and the facial expressions of the subjects.