Blog Post #5: Fireman Mike

Fireman Mike:

On Friday, April 27, our class took a trip down Nicollet Ave to interview people for our blogs. While walking we realized we would be walking past the fire station. I thought that there would be some very interesting people there so we decided to make that our first interview. When we first walked in, there was a very nice fireman who opened the door for us. We told him about our project and he introduced us to Mike and said he would be the one doing the interview with us.

Right off the bat, Mike gave us very literal answers. When I asked him what he was, he said firefighter, as if it wasn't already obvious. When I looked up at him to expand, expecting him to give more answer but he just gave me a blank stare and said "next question!" The whole time we were talking to him he gave us general, answers that were not personal at all.

 It was time to take Mike's picture. We asked him where he wanted to pose and he had no opinion at all. I think this picture describes how the interview went. He wrote firefighter on his board, has on his gear and is standing near the firetruck. He was a literal person.

I think this project was very fun. It was nice to go explore the neighborhood and talk to people that you wouldn't normally talk to. I think it brought people out of their shell having them talk to strangers and I met some really nice people.

Blog Post #4: Mr. Sabur

Mr. Sabur has been a chemistry teacher for 27 years and has been teaching at Washburn High School since 1997. He has been my teacher all year but i have never talked to him in a professional, personal and interview themed way. It showed me a different side of him and helped me better understand him as a person, not just as a teacher.

Mr. Sabur is an African American male, but he converted to Islam. During our interview,  he spoke very strongly about prejudice. When I asked him, "does who you are differ from how you are perceived?" he responded with saying that people in our society today judge people too soon. We think we know people before we actually sit down and learn who they really are. Faruq Abdal-Sabur. When people look at him and learn his name, they automatically judge him. He has had others come up to him and ask where he is from. He was born in Florida. "I am American, just like you. Just because I practice Islam, doesn't mean I'm not American." he told me.

Mr. Sabur is a very passionate teacher and person. He said his goal in life is to help people that truly need help. He cares more about helping other than helping himself. When i heard this, I felt it deep down. It is nice to know that Mr. Sabur is a person who is willing to give everything they have for others.

This was a great interview to do. I took a person that I see everyday at school and talked to him in a different setting. It took something normal and let me see one of my teachers in a different light and I learned a lot of great things about him.

Blog Post #3: Peer Commenting

http://ashymama.blogspot.com/
 In Ashley Murphy's blog, Ashymama, she talks about the concept of otherness. She said "The way you view yourself should define who you are." I strongly agree with this. So many people today change for society. They see the way other people act or dress and try to become that person, especially in media. I think what Ashley is trying to say is that you shouldn't let society and other people shape who you are, it should be you who defines yourself.

Blog Post #2: Michael McKinney

"Never let your schooling interfere

with your education."

Michael McKinney is an intelligent, music loving 10th grader at Washburn High School. It was very interesting talking to Michael with given questions to discuss because it brought up topics that the two of us would not normally discuss.While I was talking with Michael, I learned that his is a big thinker. People see him as someone who is very into his schooling and is always working, but also as immature. That isn't all there is to him. He is studious, and can sometimes be a little immature, but he always makes a point to have fun. Michael's board read "Never let your schooling interfere with your education."- Mark Twain. I believe this quote is saying that there is other kinds of smart than just book smart. You need experiences to truly be educated, you can't rely only on what you learn in school. Talking to Michael led me to realize that Michael has strong beliefs, voices what he thinks and is very smart, in things other than just school. It was wonderful to learn more about Michael McKinney.

Blog Post #1: The Art of Photography

Option 3: The Art of Photography

Who owns the meaning of a photograph?  The subject?  The viewer?  Or, the artist?

Wing said, “I like when photographs are ambiguous.”  What does he mean by that?  Do you agree?  

How might a camera and a photograph “make the familiar unfamiliar”?  How might they help you to see in a new way?

What did Wing mean when he said, “When I am reading a photograph, I’m reading a story?”

What a “good” photograph?

The viewer and the artist own the meaning of a photograph. The artist is the one who puts out the original meaning of the photograph but each viewer has their own individual interpretation of each photograph.

 When an artist is taking a photograph or making a project they make it from their heart. When they take the photo they plan out each lighting and setting based on their personality. The artist will always know the meaning of the photograph and own that meaning because they are the one who created it and they are the one who knows just what it means.

The viewer also owns the meaning of the photograph. When the viewer is looking at a photograph they get to believe whatever they want about it. Everything is up for individual interpretation and every person sees a photograph differently. 

When looking at a photograph it is much more than just a picture. It is a story. There is a story behind every photograph and by looking at the smallest details you can learn something about the person, place or thing in that photo.