Blog Assignment #4: Writing on a Photograph

Upon viewing Edward Kelty’s photos of circus people, I have come across a photo that successfully displays aged circus life. This photo exhibits the excitement of an event that presents the unordinary to its audience. The photo is taken from an observant viewpoint; the photographer is overlooking the event as it is taking place. In the photograph, the audience is at full capacity surrounding the center of the event. The vast amounts of individuals in the photo become indistinctive. This event is depicted as a large gathering of intriguing excitement. Edward Kelty was able to evoke the importance of the event in the eyes of its large audience without dishonoring the focal point of circus life-its performers. At the center of the enclosed audience, performers are shown intentionally posing for the photograph.  A trail of elephants are shown abaft the large cast consisting of clowns, acrobats, musicians, officers and vendors. Kelty is able to present the admiration of circus life to its viewer through this photograph. Although the large amounts of spectators begin to dissolve into one another, taking a more concentrated look of this photo displays the circus as a place of happiness. Being under a white tent of eccentric performance shows that the circus is an event that is appreciated; considering its extensive audience. Edward Kelty’s photo is able to present this timeless event in the most efficient manner, as this photograph is a resource adequately exposing our past.

Blog Assignment #3: Authors note

For my vignette, I reflected upon a recent music event that I attended. It was a memorable event; therefore it was an enjoyable piece to write.  I became inspired to write this after the impact that the event had on me along with the intriguing and humorous elements that occurred. It was in my interest to reflect on this night because the emotions, language, scenery, and sensory details were still very apparent in my mind and I was able to deliver an effective reenactment of this night for my personal remembrance.  Below is an excerpt extracted from my vignette:

Taking notice of the vivid lighting and intense atmosphere, becoming more and more excited with each detail my vision throws at me. Taking into account that is finally the moment I have longed for. We make our way toward the stage, selecting the second row as our place for a portion of the night. I glance at the crowd around me curious as to who it may consist of, while interrogating the subject of what may be in store for the upcoming hours.  The lights dim as a signal of introduction, the first act was about to take the stage.  After an enjoyable forty five minute set of harmonizing vocals, thick guitar solos and catchy choruses abaft a psychedelic backdrop, adrenaline begins to take its course. It was our time, the reason we are here. A smile forced itself upon my face knowing my favorite band was seconds away from dominating every element of my soul.

In writing this, I learned that evoking your emotions to others, especially on a personal subject of admiration can pose a challenge since not all readers have experienced music in a similar manner.  Music is a focal part of my life, and was important for me to express this to others without being vague. I have reflected on music before, but have never created a short story based on a musical event. I created this piece on my desktop’s word processor with a genuine mind set of this night.  I will be revising this piece for my final portfolio by altering some word choice, and making my story much more forceful.  Writing this vignette was an experience I enjoyed as well as appreciated.  It instilled a lesson as a non fiction writer, and reflecting upon experiences such as this is something I will enjoy doing again in the future.

Blog Assignment #2: Joan Didion's "Letter from Los Angeles"

In Joan Didion's "Letter from Los Angeles" she begins her work by describing a favorable day in Los Angeles, stating that "There can be about these hours spent in transit a seductive unconnectedness." She begins her work evoking the desolate, everyday nature of Los Angeles which is considered to be a "good" day in this city. This phrase is effective since it  uses irony to describe a good day in L.A., which is actually depicted as a place of misconnection. Didion successfully uses description to display the lackluster attributes of the Los Angeles she finds herself in. " Such tranced hours are for many people who live in Los Angeles, the dead center of being there, but there is nothing about them to encourage the normal impulse toward recognition, or narrative connection." Didion uses description to administer a reference to the reader of what it is like to live in a place where an unknown absence is present. She then goes on to talk about crime in LA, and a 1983 murder case. This crime reference shows Didion's curiosity as well as interest in this field since it is an element ultimately creates a personality of her city. Didion’s main intent in her work is to showcase the "genre"of L.A. to her readers. “There is a definite narrative here, but not a sentimental one, and not one that many people outside Los Angeles seem to hear.” By using description as well as a transition of simple word choice to an elaborate style in her writing, Didion is able to effectively characterize her city. I chose to write about Joan Didion’s “Letter from Los Angeles” because I was intrigued to read more of her work as her style of writing appeals to me. Her descriptive writing is able to conduct her reader through a vast amount of realistic tones, which makes her technique favorable.