"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)
Jian S.
People say we started it all. People even say society would have been lost without us. Whatever people call us we have always been around. We have taken many forms in the early days, from shells to beads, to today’s paper and plastic. But our true form, which is now an almost forgotten form, is coin.
We were once a proud form of currency, a true statement of wealth. But somehow, things have changed. We no longer linger in king’s pockets, or manifest in dreams. We are no longer hunted down for our treasure, received as reward, or considered lucky. No longer do we jingle and clang with pride. We have become old. Dull.
People say we started it all. People even say society would have been lost without us. Whatever people call us we have always been around. We have taken many forms in the early days, from shells to beads, to today’s paper and plastic. But our true form, which is now an almost forgotten form, is coin.
We were once a proud form of currency, a true statement of wealth. But somehow, things have changed. We no longer linger in king’s pockets, or manifest in dreams. We are no longer hunted down for our treasure, received as reward, or considered lucky. No longer do we jingle and clang with pride. We have become old. Dull.
Conor M.
But slowly, things started changing. The vast expanses of farmland were now being cleared out and there were houses and apartments going up on top of ‘em. It seemed like every time you turned around, there was a new house or store or shopping center being built. Day by day, we were losing the farm land and rural quietness that we were so fond of all these years. There’s a new breed of townsfolk coming in. People from all walks of life, bringing in new businesses and all kinds of excitement, the likes we hadn’t really seen before. But I suppose that’s happening everywhere. Small towns turning into big towns. Not much you can do about it, you know? Just really accept the fact and hopefully embrace the change that is bound to come to everybody, everywhere.
But slowly, things started changing. The vast expanses of farmland were now being cleared out and there were houses and apartments going up on top of ‘em. It seemed like every time you turned around, there was a new house or store or shopping center being built. Day by day, we were losing the farm land and rural quietness that we were so fond of all these years. There’s a new breed of townsfolk coming in. People from all walks of life, bringing in new businesses and all kinds of excitement, the likes we hadn’t really seen before. But I suppose that’s happening everywhere. Small towns turning into big towns. Not much you can do about it, you know? Just really accept the fact and hopefully embrace the change that is bound to come to everybody, everywhere.
Kevin A.
Love is one of very few things in this world that does not have a concrete, definite meaning. Various cultures across the world would argue that love is either companionate, passionate, or even immaculate. Whatever the case, there is a common road that people generally travel along in their search for what love is.
Generally when a couple first falls in love, everything seems so vibrant, sparkling, and bright. There is an explosion of love everywhere, and the couple celebrates their love for each other endlessly through notions that illustrate how much they are in love with one another. Their love is red with romance and full of life.
Love is one of very few things in this world that does not have a concrete, definite meaning. Various cultures across the world would argue that love is either companionate, passionate, or even immaculate. Whatever the case, there is a common road that people generally travel along in their search for what love is.
Generally when a couple first falls in love, everything seems so vibrant, sparkling, and bright. There is an explosion of love everywhere, and the couple celebrates their love for each other endlessly through notions that illustrate how much they are in love with one another. Their love is red with romance and full of life.
Kevin A.
When a couple falls out of love, sometimes their worlds come crashing down. Both people agree it is hard to see any color at all in their lives, and their worlds become grey with sadness. The resilience that once carried the love with excitement and passion in the relationship is no longer there. A heart that at one time was full of love and burned red with fire is now white, empty and icy. All there is left is a shattered, broken heart.
When a couple falls out of love, sometimes their worlds come crashing down. Both people agree it is hard to see any color at all in their lives, and their worlds become grey with sadness. The resilience that once carried the love with excitement and passion in the relationship is no longer there. A heart that at one time was full of love and burned red with fire is now white, empty and icy. All there is left is a shattered, broken heart.
Sherwin A.
As nature comes within the grasp of your senses, it makes one appreciate the beauty of our own surroundings. As we progress, we should not forget the beautiful surroundings we enjoy today. UC Merced is blessed to be in an environment that living in big cities lack, fresh air, sprawling greens, and the abundance of wildlife present. Being in the city most of my life, I realized that not only am I going to get a great education, but I’m also going to breath air that is cleaner, besides the methane, and a surrounding that is so fascinating to me.
As nature comes within the grasp of your senses, it makes one appreciate the beauty of our own surroundings. As we progress, we should not forget the beautiful surroundings we enjoy today. UC Merced is blessed to be in an environment that living in big cities lack, fresh air, sprawling greens, and the abundance of wildlife present. Being in the city most of my life, I realized that not only am I going to get a great education, but I’m also going to breath air that is cleaner, besides the methane, and a surrounding that is so fascinating to me.
Sherwin A.
Just looking around, you just cant notice but to be awed by the place. There is so much green grass, grass and abundance of trees I can only dream of in the city. It is certainly a big change from the concrete and stucco surroundings and lack of breathing space that is so common in big cities, unless of course you are one of the well endowed. The diversity of animals are just as fascinating. Common animals such as cows, horses and goats have become a sort of attraction out in the fields. And the most surprising are the animals you don’t get to see in the city, such as falcons and jackrabbits. And so I say put the carbon emitting automobile in the rear view mirror and save the beauty of the simple trees!
Just looking around, you just cant notice but to be awed by the place. There is so much green grass, grass and abundance of trees I can only dream of in the city. It is certainly a big change from the concrete and stucco surroundings and lack of breathing space that is so common in big cities, unless of course you are one of the well endowed. The diversity of animals are just as fascinating. Common animals such as cows, horses and goats have become a sort of attraction out in the fields. And the most surprising are the animals you don’t get to see in the city, such as falcons and jackrabbits. And so I say put the carbon emitting automobile in the rear view mirror and save the beauty of the simple trees!
Jessica A.
There are several perspectives that the world can take on. Most try to penetrate from the outside in order to get in. If they start digging and pulling off the exterior layers, they might finally get to the core of what they’ve been staring at for decades. Trying to go from the light of day to the darkness of a sunless arena. Trying to slowly see changes, so the shock is not as intense. Soon, looking in from the outside is ordinary – a common perspective that everyone takes advantage of. After a while, the new looks dull. The new looks plain. The new is old. Why not start from the inside and try to find a way out. Is it because after seeing the inside, the outside looks plain? Maybe because they are so consumed with their own frame of mind that they can’t bear to take on another. It is easier to let go if working from the outside in.
There are several perspectives that the world can take on. Most try to penetrate from the outside in order to get in. If they start digging and pulling off the exterior layers, they might finally get to the core of what they’ve been staring at for decades. Trying to go from the light of day to the darkness of a sunless arena. Trying to slowly see changes, so the shock is not as intense. Soon, looking in from the outside is ordinary – a common perspective that everyone takes advantage of. After a while, the new looks dull. The new looks plain. The new is old. Why not start from the inside and try to find a way out. Is it because after seeing the inside, the outside looks plain? Maybe because they are so consumed with their own frame of mind that they can’t bear to take on another. It is easier to let go if working from the outside in.
Jessica A.
If imperfection is found, all one has to do is stop and leave. But starting from the inside, you’re trapped. There is only one way to get out, and that’s to reveal the hidden to the refulgent. It may seem dark but eventually you have to make it to the facade, if effort is put forth. Colors slowly develop, and fragmented pieces are exposed to light. But how else would you be able to fix it, if nothing is ever found broken?
If imperfection is found, all one has to do is stop and leave. But starting from the inside, you’re trapped. There is only one way to get out, and that’s to reveal the hidden to the refulgent. It may seem dark but eventually you have to make it to the facade, if effort is put forth. Colors slowly develop, and fragmented pieces are exposed to light. But how else would you be able to fix it, if nothing is ever found broken?
Christa A.
“Loyalty to a petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.” Mark Twain. We cannot constantly be conforming, change is all around us; everyday we are forced to rebel. It could be something so simple and every day as changing our clothes to something much more dramatic as changing the life you once had to something new, something so different it is no longer recognizable to the life you once had. We as human were not born to be compliant, we need change because more often than not it is us that change, not the things around us. Changes are not brought on by a strange phenomenon, nor a catastrophic event but by simply living our day-to-day lives.
“Loyalty to a petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.” Mark Twain. We cannot constantly be conforming, change is all around us; everyday we are forced to rebel. It could be something so simple and every day as changing our clothes to something much more dramatic as changing the life you once had to something new, something so different it is no longer recognizable to the life you once had. We as human were not born to be compliant, we need change because more often than not it is us that change, not the things around us. Changes are not brought on by a strange phenomenon, nor a catastrophic event but by simply living our day-to-day lives.
Christa A.
We live in a world of changes we have acquired throughout our life, and soon the changes become normalities. Changes open doors for new experiences; the ability for progression is the ability for change. Without constant changes life would remain at a boring stand still, but our willingness to walk through those open doors is what makes life worth living. If we were willing to constantly to conform we would be going around in circles without the slightest chance of being about to better ourselves, or to free our souls.
We live in a world of changes we have acquired throughout our life, and soon the changes become normalities. Changes open doors for new experiences; the ability for progression is the ability for change. Without constant changes life would remain at a boring stand still, but our willingness to walk through those open doors is what makes life worth living. If we were willing to constantly to conform we would be going around in circles without the slightest chance of being about to better ourselves, or to free our souls.
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