In this photograph a young mother is giving her son a wagon ride. I first noticed the house in the background because it is a large and domineering object. There are very few objects in this photo. The three main ones being the child in the wagon, the mother pulling the wagon, and the house directly behind them. However, there are other identical housing structures even farther in the background, as well as the cloudy sky above them, and sparse shrubbery behind them. The ground beneath them appears to be dirt, although it is hard to tell since the photograph is black and white, not color. I did not first notice this detail of the dirt ground until I examined the photo carefully.
It is difficult to tell what time of day it was when this photo was taken because there is no color. However, the photo itself is quite light and the clouds above appear to be fluffy, as though the sun is shining rather than the ominous clouds that rule the sky when a storm takes place. The young woman is smiling and her body language is relaxed as if she is happy and carefree. The little boy holds an intent expression on his countenance that is shaded by a cowboy hat, which I assume was placed on the child’s head to protect him from the dangerous rays of heat exuding from the sun. The subjects in the photograph seem out of place because the house and other surroundings are not happy sights. They are not attractive like the people in the photo, and look to be poor and lifeless. The photographer is at the same level as the subjects, standing several feet away from them. I like that he snapped the picture from this vantage point because it’s as though he is looking at them as equals, rather than standing over them, judging their lack of wealth.
The mood is one of family and playtime. One can learn from this photo that people don’t need much in order to enjoy themselves and the ones they love. People can live in tiny houses without grass and still be thankful for a roof over their head, a hat to wear to protect their skin, and a little wagon in which to play. The photograph depicts the 1930’s as a time that lacks money, but it does not lack joy or appreciativeness of the possessions one is blessed to own. Mostly, pictures of the 1930’s express grief and this photo does not. This is the main point of this photograph. No time in history is all bad. There are times of sunshine and love and family even in the darkest years and greatest depressions.
Gillian,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you talked about the view of the photographer from the lens view. I think there is a reason that he took this photograph from this vantage point, rather it be for apologetic or pity reasons. I can see where you would think he is trying to be equal to the characters of the photo, but at the same time, I also feel that Rothstein is making a big deal out of what is happening in the picture. How often do you see random people walk around taking pictures of the adults and their families? I like your statement, “One can learn from this photo that people don’t need much in order to enjoy themselves and the ones they love.” This goes great with the overall all picture, because like you mentioned the mother and young child looks to be excitingly happy, but their background is not, it is more of a disturbing feeling. Their lives may be safe, and happy. But, that does not mean that the families have to be under the best conditions to love each other, and to have a smile on their face. I enjoyed reading your blog, you hold really good positions on the photo.
I really liked the mood you chose for this picture. When you think of labor camps you instantly think of people working really hard in unfair conditions. The mood of playtime captures this picture well. I also really like when you interpreted that all you don't need much to enjoy life and the ones you love. When you stated this, and I looked back at the photo I felt like I could really feel a connection better between the women and the child. I believe that this photo also goes really well with the theme our group has picked which is contentment. The women and the child display this very we'll with the expressions on their faces.
ReplyDeleteGillian brings our attention to a lot of environmental components of this image: the sky, the bright (probably midday) sunshine, and the dry, dirt ground. This careful consideration of these features supports your interpretation that this image isn't somber and is, perhaps, even celebratory. Neither the woman pulling the wagon nor the child looks dirty or destitute, even though this appears to be a low-income location. One of my favorite parts of your analysis is your focus on the camera angle, or point of view. I think you're right in that, because the picture is shot from the same level as the subjects, just further away, it creates a sense of solidarity---as if the photographer could even be a neighbor.
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