Blog #2: Exercise pg. 24-25

Sternfeld's photograph was very intriguing. The first observation I noticed was the writing on the outside of the building, which says, “When you take someone’s like you forfeit your own.” My first inference from digging deep within this photo includes the setting the building is surrounded in. There is clearly graffiti all over the property as well as several broken windows, which show it is quite a run-down building someplace in America. Along with these observations, it seems abnormal to see the building have somewhat of a cemetery along the sidewalk. With orange street cones fallen over, it is clear the city lacks care and any desire to respect those who have passed away. The windows contain several flyers that stand out as a “downtown drag”. Along the left side of the building, people have written, “Guilty…Life in prison, October 12, 1999”, which symbolized a freedom of speech to those who feel the urge to express their feelings. There is trash along the rim of the building, red paint, which is splattered whereabouts and furthermore consists of a drawing of a man…perhaps as some view as Jesus. The place is ultimately out of business, hence the “SOLD” sign placed on the front door. However, the words on the building leave me with an eerie feeling that this is not the place to neither risk one’s safety nor put yourself in such a situation.

Joel Sternfeld did a phenomenal job expressing his message and thoughts throughout this photograph. The structure of the image strikes me as very open and broad. So many different ideas can come out of the photo, and none ultimately seem incorrect. Sternfeld’s point of view repeatedly stands as straightforward. The reader is easily drawn into this world that lacks care and dedication. The phrase, “When you take someone’s life you forfeit your own” is the ultimate metaphor displayed in this piece of work. In conclusion, the words displayed are used to suggest a theme of freedom and visually provide a deeper understanding of poverty, which ultimately show Sternfeld’s message, is powerful and symbolic.

The link I chose to include is a biography/ photography selection of Joel Sternfeld himself!

http://www.luhringaugustine.com/index.php?mode=artists&object_id=67&view=bio