"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)
Cristina H.-G.
Just like how man kind changes and modernizes, so do the objects around us.
Just like how man kind changes and modernizes, so do the objects around us.
Cristina H.-G.
As every one life changes, so do our surroundings. Today we find change in our landscape.
As every one life changes, so do our surroundings. Today we find change in our landscape.
Jon K.
Coming clean from days of suffering, I felt clearer; more at ease with myself. I still do not understand why I suffered. I gave my body what it asked for, the ADDICTion. That must be it; my body’s an ADDICT. This body of mine repeatedly asks me for it and I can’t help but retrieve it.
No more confusion now. This world seems lighter, more – This world is not the same. Am I me or has the ADDICT leave me here alone? This world is distorted, it’s misshapen. What happened to the world I was in?
Coming clean from days of suffering, I felt clearer; more at ease with myself. I still do not understand why I suffered. I gave my body what it asked for, the ADDICTion. That must be it; my body’s an ADDICT. This body of mine repeatedly asks me for it and I can’t help but retrieve it.
No more confusion now. This world seems lighter, more – This world is not the same. Am I me or has the ADDICT leave me here alone? This world is distorted, it’s misshapen. What happened to the world I was in?
Jon K.
This world I am talking about is the life I lived with the ADDICT in me. It was dark and heavy. The air was thick, almost thick enough to choke on. Buildings were everywhere with lights on every corner. Everything was in symmetry. There were people; yes, people like me; I can’t seem to remember there faces. It was dark.
This world I am talking about is the life I lived with the ADDICT in me. It was dark and heavy. The air was thick, almost thick enough to choke on. Buildings were everywhere with lights on every corner. Everything was in symmetry. There were people; yes, people like me; I can’t seem to remember there faces. It was dark.
Alicia L.
When humans disappear from earth what will be left? The hope of new life. The hope that something will live on. That the earth will recover and new life will emerge. The buildings left behind will create new homes, new structures for the wildlife and plants that come into being. Vines creep and crawl until all is covered and torn down, and life is anew.
Life refreshed, covered in white, melted down to show new beginnings. The moment in time where nothing moves, nothing is heard. Only footprints left behind remain to continue the legacy. But where will new life begin. Snow falls until all is covered and melted down, and life is anew.
When humans disappear from earth what will be left? The hope of new life. The hope that something will live on. That the earth will recover and new life will emerge. The buildings left behind will create new homes, new structures for the wildlife and plants that come into being. Vines creep and crawl until all is covered and torn down, and life is anew.
Life refreshed, covered in white, melted down to show new beginnings. The moment in time where nothing moves, nothing is heard. Only footprints left behind remain to continue the legacy. But where will new life begin. Snow falls until all is covered and melted down, and life is anew.
Alicia L.
The years go by with ever changing scenes. Tearing down remains to recover from the times that passed. Building new life from the depths of despair. Burying relics to never see the light of day. The earth is mysterious in its own rights, but one thing is forever certain, when life ends new life will find a way to flourish.
So; vines may creep and crawl until all is covered and torn down, snow may fall until all is covered and melted down, and life may end, but new life will find a way to survive it all.
The years go by with ever changing scenes. Tearing down remains to recover from the times that passed. Building new life from the depths of despair. Burying relics to never see the light of day. The earth is mysterious in its own rights, but one thing is forever certain, when life ends new life will find a way to flourish.
So; vines may creep and crawl until all is covered and torn down, snow may fall until all is covered and melted down, and life may end, but new life will find a way to survive it all.
Erika L.
More than comfort to keep warm,
Shoes hold memories of where a person has been and where they have yet to go
They hold a great value of the past and like a best friend, knows exactly what sort of obstacles a person has overcome to get where they are today
Take a walk in my shoes and you will know that every single pair holds a
different meaning to them
When glamorous and party bound, my shiny high heels fit snug to my feet like a ballerina’s slipper, in hopes of dancing the night away
More than comfort to keep warm,
Shoes hold memories of where a person has been and where they have yet to go
They hold a great value of the past and like a best friend, knows exactly what sort of obstacles a person has overcome to get where they are today
Take a walk in my shoes and you will know that every single pair holds a
different meaning to them
When glamorous and party bound, my shiny high heels fit snug to my feet like a ballerina’s slipper, in hopes of dancing the night away
Erika L.
My colorful bright sneakers allow me to get through simple hang outs with old friends, regrets made in life and long hectic days at school
Although capable of spilling some of my deepest darkest secrets,
their silent tongues will never tell
Each being five and a half in size, the different colors portray the many moods felt
throughout the year; red, pink, and green being my sincere favorites
Old shoes are like a pair of best friends for they have an understanding of where I have been
New shoes enable the opportunity for new memories to be made, new beginnings to arise,
and new stories to tell
I would not like to take a walk in your shoes,
for they hold such a great value to one’s whereabouts in life
For if you ever took a walk in mine, you would embrace eighteen years of memories
of which my shoes will never tell.
My colorful bright sneakers allow me to get through simple hang outs with old friends, regrets made in life and long hectic days at school
Although capable of spilling some of my deepest darkest secrets,
their silent tongues will never tell
Each being five and a half in size, the different colors portray the many moods felt
throughout the year; red, pink, and green being my sincere favorites
Old shoes are like a pair of best friends for they have an understanding of where I have been
New shoes enable the opportunity for new memories to be made, new beginnings to arise,
and new stories to tell
I would not like to take a walk in your shoes,
for they hold such a great value to one’s whereabouts in life
For if you ever took a walk in mine, you would embrace eighteen years of memories
of which my shoes will never tell.
Diana L.
For as long as he could remember, Peter was told not to go to the other side of town. Out of curiosity he hopped into his car and ventured out to the other side of the freeway to see what he could find. However, as he passed the freeway ramp there was a sign that he interpreted as no turning back beyond this point. Now he knew that he couldn’t chicken out and turn around to go home. To his surprise, he found that the other side of his town was pretty much the same as where he lived and wasn’t as bad as his parents had told him.
For as long as he could remember, Peter was told not to go to the other side of town. Out of curiosity he hopped into his car and ventured out to the other side of the freeway to see what he could find. However, as he passed the freeway ramp there was a sign that he interpreted as no turning back beyond this point. Now he knew that he couldn’t chicken out and turn around to go home. To his surprise, he found that the other side of his town was pretty much the same as where he lived and wasn’t as bad as his parents had told him.
Diana L.
After driving around for a while he found this place that reminded him of an area that he knew nearby his house. It brought peace and happiness to him the moment he laid his eyes on the island of plants and trees. Peter was surprised that he had believed the other side of the freeway had nothing to offer him until this moment changed his decision. At this moment he knew that he couldn’t judge a city by one side of the town. Instead, you have to venture off to the unknown to discover what is really out there in the world.
After driving around for a while he found this place that reminded him of an area that he knew nearby his house. It brought peace and happiness to him the moment he laid his eyes on the island of plants and trees. Peter was surprised that he had believed the other side of the freeway had nothing to offer him until this moment changed his decision. At this moment he knew that he couldn’t judge a city by one side of the town. Instead, you have to venture off to the unknown to discover what is really out there in the world.
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