Roseanna Singletary
ENC1102
Gallery Essay
January 29, 2013
Unspoken Emotion
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is
captured forever.”It remembers little things long after you have forgotten everything.”(Aaron
Siskind). Photographs give vivid memory, which cannot be expressed by words. It brings out a
special feeling and understanding of the moment, the place, the environment and the people or
creatures that are captured. It allows us to visualize, interpret, and explain the mood or nature
of a given situation. A photograph is very powerful since it evokes many emotions. It gives us a
record of our lives.
Innocence by Rachel Hammond
In this photograph, there is a young boy with dark hair. He has big dark eyes. Tears can be seen
in his eyes. I am moved by the contents of this photo. Although the language is non texual, the
face, tears, snot in the nose and dark eyes suggest that he has been crying. The poor kid is hurt.
He clearly seems confused by what is going on around him. Nobody is concerned with his state
of emotion. He is now probably in deep thought. Very little attention, if any, has been give to
the environment, making him think deeply of his next options. Therefore, he feels lonely and
abandoned.
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Devil by Amanda Gross
In this picture, a little girl is standing in a white sundress. Her hands are behind her back, and
she has a devilish grin on her face. The picture suggests a mysterious mixture of anger and
unpleasant attitude. The grin is evidence of how uncomfortable she feels. Her hands behind her
back could suggest that she is helpless and has been forced into her current state. In addition, the
devilish face means that there is nothing that she can do to change the situation to suit her needs
and emotions. Her posture and facial expression could mean boredom or she may be tired.
On the other hand, the face could mean cunning or ingenuity. This expression may be used to
show how cruel she is. It can demonstrate how inconsiderate she is, especially, when her needs
are not met.
Angel by Amanda Gross
In this case, the little girl described previously is now smiling. This is an awesome image.
The change of facial expression shows the current mood of the little girl. She has probably
seen some hope. Her problems or cause of the devilish face seem to have been resolved. This
transformation has been clearly depicted with the photos. A feeling of hope is inspired by such
a beautiful photo. She feels good and has now developed a positive attitude due to the change of
feelings. The general atmosphere of the picture is now cheerful. Generally, she feels successful
and this can increase her level of confidence. When children smile they embody the innocence
and beauty of God.
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I chose these photographs because they highlight the plight of children. At a young age they do
not fully understand their surroundings. Therefore, they are helpless and vulnerable. The first
two pictures voice the alarm to the helplessness and vulnerability. They make people appreciate
children and never abandon their needs. The third picture is also interesting because it explores
the beauty and innocence of the young generation. The smile and the natural beauty of these
children give hope in times of despair. They seem to enjoy the moment and are not worried about
tomorrow. The third photo is an encouragement to overcome hard times. The smile of the girl
shows an instant transformation as compared to the previous photos. Our minds are, therefore,
refreshed, reset and rejuvenated. This photo is a symbol of hope for a brighter future.
These photos convey meaning to any viewer. The meaning that the different photographers have
attributed to the photos may not be necessarily what the viewer is likely to deduce. A picture can
be worth a thousand words. The emotion displayed by a picture is impossible to dispute. A photo
stays with you and is retained for memory. Basically, it is easier to understand and remember
anything explained with the help of a picture.
Pictures stimulate thinking. By viewing a photo, one is inspired to think about what is actually
taking place at that moment. When viewing a photograph, we usually see an object at first sight.
We then try to relate to the people, places and objects in the photograph to one another and try to
get an understanding. The meaning may differ from one individual to another. Finally, photos
Singletary 4
help to bridge the gap caused by language barriers. People speaking different languages may
not understand each other. They might be referring to a similar object, but the medium of
communication makes it difficult. With the aid of a photo containing the object, the problem is
solved.
