"Change"
The first visual essay asks students to use both images and texts to interpret or elaborate on different notions of change -- the most "abstract" of all assignments.
Requirements: 1) Incorporate aspects of Merced or the university into the pictures; 2) Each photograph needs to have contrasting elements (rough vs. soft, bright vs. dark, etc.); 3) The accompanying passage, creative in nature, should not explain the meanings of the pictures but should aim to enhance or complicate the viewer's reading of the images; and 4) People cannot be the main subjects in this visual essay.
As the very first assignment, students are only beginning to explore the possibilities and complex relationships between imagery and text. Some already did a good job, but all will improve and grow, as the online and in-class feedback, and course readings and lectures, will help students develop their eyes and skills.
Feel free to leave encouragement or criticism for these students. Please be constructive; we are all learning to do better.
(Note: the texts and comments have not been redacted, edited, or corrected for typos or errors)
The first visual essay asks students to use both images and texts to interpret or elaborate on different notions of change -- the most "abstract" of all assignments.
Requirements: 1) Incorporate aspects of Merced or the university into the pictures; 2) Each photograph needs to have contrasting elements (rough vs. soft, bright vs. dark, etc.); 3) The accompanying passage, creative in nature, should not explain the meanings of the pictures but should aim to enhance or complicate the viewer's reading of the images; and 4) People cannot be the main subjects in this visual essay.
As the very first assignment, students are only beginning to explore the possibilities and complex relationships between imagery and text. Some already did a good job, but all will improve and grow, as the online and in-class feedback, and course readings and lectures, will help students develop their eyes and skills.
Feel free to leave encouragement or criticism for these students. Please be constructive; we are all learning to do better.
(Note: the texts and comments have not been redacted, edited, or corrected for typos or errors)
Alexa D.
One does not need to travel far from campus to witness the changes enveloping us. The University itself can be viewed as a driving force for the machine of change. With plans to become the largest University campus in California, UC Merced is re-shaping the face of Merced and its’ surrounding Valley. The vast and never-ending plains, currently used to grow local crops, run small-scale cattle ranches, and a source of calm for my hyperactive mind, will soon be buried beneath “Campus City,” additional classroom buildings, and even more student housing.
One does not need to travel far from campus to witness the changes enveloping us. The University itself can be viewed as a driving force for the machine of change. With plans to become the largest University campus in California, UC Merced is re-shaping the face of Merced and its’ surrounding Valley. The vast and never-ending plains, currently used to grow local crops, run small-scale cattle ranches, and a source of calm for my hyperactive mind, will soon be buried beneath “Campus City,” additional classroom buildings, and even more student housing.
Alexa D.
The old-fashioned farms and aged barns that bring a piece of the “Heart Land” to “The Golden State,” are being sold and razed, not only for university expansion, but also for constructing lucrative and indistinguishable track homes. While the University agents the alterations to its’ surrounding environment, it is also making significant changes with in its’ borders. The various elements of college life releases the average teenager from the comforts of home and thrusts them into dorms that teach self reliance in the absence of authority, and into the lecture halls that shape our minds, grant free rein for expression, and develop individual opinions. As a community that breeds, embraces, and provides a source for change, UC Merced is transforming one student at a time. From the ever-changing seasons, to old barns that deteriorate over the passage of time, the world shows us that change is constant and it is omnipresent.
The old-fashioned farms and aged barns that bring a piece of the “Heart Land” to “The Golden State,” are being sold and razed, not only for university expansion, but also for constructing lucrative and indistinguishable track homes. While the University agents the alterations to its’ surrounding environment, it is also making significant changes with in its’ borders. The various elements of college life releases the average teenager from the comforts of home and thrusts them into dorms that teach self reliance in the absence of authority, and into the lecture halls that shape our minds, grant free rein for expression, and develop individual opinions. As a community that breeds, embraces, and provides a source for change, UC Merced is transforming one student at a time. From the ever-changing seasons, to old barns that deteriorate over the passage of time, the world shows us that change is constant and it is omnipresent.
Danielle D.
“The clearing after the rain”
The sky is always clear after the coming of a storm. At first, one may not think it is possible for the situation to become better, for the storm may be quite destructive, foreboding clouds looming in the distance.. It may blow down trees, soak the Earth until the Earth cannot hold any more water and burst upon its inhabitants and wreak chaos, or cover the sky in darkness for days without end in sight. It may seem as if the storm would never let up, hopelessness infecting the local inhabitants with thoughts of resigning to this dreariness. But as all passing storms, the rain slowly fades into a drizzle and the violent winds die down into a gentle breeze. What’s left behind is left for the people to slowly rebuild and put back together their home. Slowly but surely, order is restored back to normal.
“The clearing after the rain”
The sky is always clear after the coming of a storm. At first, one may not think it is possible for the situation to become better, for the storm may be quite destructive, foreboding clouds looming in the distance.. It may blow down trees, soak the Earth until the Earth cannot hold any more water and burst upon its inhabitants and wreak chaos, or cover the sky in darkness for days without end in sight. It may seem as if the storm would never let up, hopelessness infecting the local inhabitants with thoughts of resigning to this dreariness. But as all passing storms, the rain slowly fades into a drizzle and the violent winds die down into a gentle breeze. What’s left behind is left for the people to slowly rebuild and put back together their home. Slowly but surely, order is restored back to normal.
Danielle D.
As the sun sets, hues of gold and orange reflect on the puddles below as sunlight streams through the scattered clouds. Golden tones light up the darkening sky as the day comes to a close. A sense of calmness and relief fills the air as one feels the serenity of the gentle clouds and the calming tones of the setting sun.
As the sun sets, hues of gold and orange reflect on the puddles below as sunlight streams through the scattered clouds. Golden tones light up the darkening sky as the day comes to a close. A sense of calmness and relief fills the air as one feels the serenity of the gentle clouds and the calming tones of the setting sun.
Matt Del Re
Whose fault is this growing epidemic? House prices are falling to a 5 year all time low, and at the same time home foreclosures are climbing to an unsurpassed number! Whose fault is it? No one really wants to take the blame for this devastating problem. Maybe it was the banks faults for allowing this subprime mess, allowing people to buy house who where unable to afford their future payments? Is it the people who though if they didn’t get into the market now, they wouldn’t be able to in the future? Or is it the massive amount of constructers building countless houses, and pricing them at preposterous prices? Or is it the governments fault for appointing Bernanke to the head of the Fed department? Because of this growing dilemma the future of the United States economy seems to have a bleak outcome.
Whose fault is this growing epidemic? House prices are falling to a 5 year all time low, and at the same time home foreclosures are climbing to an unsurpassed number! Whose fault is it? No one really wants to take the blame for this devastating problem. Maybe it was the banks faults for allowing this subprime mess, allowing people to buy house who where unable to afford their future payments? Is it the people who though if they didn’t get into the market now, they wouldn’t be able to in the future? Or is it the massive amount of constructers building countless houses, and pricing them at preposterous prices? Or is it the governments fault for appointing Bernanke to the head of the Fed department? Because of this growing dilemma the future of the United States economy seems to have a bleak outcome.
Matt Del Re
Unfortunately the Upper middle and rich class of people are buying all the cheaply priced houses on the market today, causing first time buyer’s hardship in obtaining their first house, because the banks are afraid they are going to because another foreclosure. Something needs to be done soon before no one is able to obtain a house because the market is owned private investors just waiting to make a large profit. Federal and State officials need to act fast before this dilemma can and will take place in the distance future. The “American Dream” has changed from the right to own a home to no one can afford a home. It’s sad to see such dreams die in the blink of an eye.
Unfortunately the Upper middle and rich class of people are buying all the cheaply priced houses on the market today, causing first time buyer’s hardship in obtaining their first house, because the banks are afraid they are going to because another foreclosure. Something needs to be done soon before no one is able to obtain a house because the market is owned private investors just waiting to make a large profit. Federal and State officials need to act fast before this dilemma can and will take place in the distance future. The “American Dream” has changed from the right to own a home to no one can afford a home. It’s sad to see such dreams die in the blink of an eye.
Baophuong D.
With the world developing so rapidly today, change is inevitable. Do we have the power to control the changes that happen? With our advanced technological developments, one might have the belief that we have the power manipulate things however we want to create change. We have the power to change many things but not everything.
Merced is a city that is developing at a very fast rate. The city is going through countless changes. One main change that is highly noticeable is the development of housing structures. Construction sites all over Merced are building homes to accommodate the University of California, Merced’s students and families. Construction companies bulldozing everything in its way to level the ground and construct new homes is a change that is under control of the city and developers.
With the world developing so rapidly today, change is inevitable. Do we have the power to control the changes that happen? With our advanced technological developments, one might have the belief that we have the power manipulate things however we want to create change. We have the power to change many things but not everything.
Merced is a city that is developing at a very fast rate. The city is going through countless changes. One main change that is highly noticeable is the development of housing structures. Construction sites all over Merced are building homes to accommodate the University of California, Merced’s students and families. Construction companies bulldozing everything in its way to level the ground and construct new homes is a change that is under control of the city and developers.
Baophuong D.
On the other hand, changes that are not within our control are changes brought upon by nature. The leaves changing colors then falling from the trees and the grass turning yellow because of the weather change are some things that can’t be controlled. Although it may seem that people have the power to change a lot of things, not everything is within our power.
On the other hand, changes that are not within our control are changes brought upon by nature. The leaves changing colors then falling from the trees and the grass turning yellow because of the weather change are some things that can’t be controlled. Although it may seem that people have the power to change a lot of things, not everything is within our power.
Ashley D.
The idea of death brings with it many feelings of sadness and loss of hope. Yet as time goes on we care less and less about the importance of the way in which we live our lives, while we still have them. Death signifies the end of many things. The end of the ability to stop and cherish the beautiful nature that is around us. The end of the opportunity to laugh over silly things and have meaningful conversations with those that mean the most to us. It seems that we don’t miss these things until we no longer have the ability to obtain them.
The idea of death brings with it many feelings of sadness and loss of hope. Yet as time goes on we care less and less about the importance of the way in which we live our lives, while we still have them. Death signifies the end of many things. The end of the ability to stop and cherish the beautiful nature that is around us. The end of the opportunity to laugh over silly things and have meaningful conversations with those that mean the most to us. It seems that we don’t miss these things until we no longer have the ability to obtain them.
Ashley D.
We ignore the fact that we neglect these opportunities while we are still on this Earth. When someone no longer has time to experience lifes simple pleasures it is a tragedy. Yet it is normal for one to neglect these things when they have all the time in the world. We go through life with no thought of the future. We ignore our responsibilities as members of society and as inhabitants of this world. We steal the opportunity for happiness from our future generations. We negatively impact the world on a daily basis. This behavior is born into us, but does not die with us. It carries on in both our words and lack of actions.
We ignore the fact that we neglect these opportunities while we are still on this Earth. When someone no longer has time to experience lifes simple pleasures it is a tragedy. Yet it is normal for one to neglect these things when they have all the time in the world. We go through life with no thought of the future. We ignore our responsibilities as members of society and as inhabitants of this world. We steal the opportunity for happiness from our future generations. We negatively impact the world on a daily basis. This behavior is born into us, but does not die with us. It carries on in both our words and lack of actions.
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