I couldn't help myself but to post this photo essay because it's 1) hilarious in a very depressing way and 2) it actually has a meaning/purpose to it.
It just love the unexpectedness of this photo essay. The author starts by zooming into the baby girl's (or is it a pretty boy?) smiling face, tricking the audience that this will be just another jolly photo essay. Yet, the meaning to this photo is quite the opposite from a happy, cute feeling the readers get. Why don't we analyze the photo essay be piece:
1. "One year for mother's day my mother took me to the beach"
Oh yay! Beach time! The baby is so happy to come play at the beach. It makes the readers go "awww".
2. The zoom out baby.
Oh, what a nice hoodie the baby is wearing.
3. Major zoom out baby... then the "and left" part.
Readers may once again say "awww", only this time it's not the "so-cute-aww". The baby's smile isn't even visible at this point. Because of the phrase "and left" is added, the happy baby becomes the poorest baby in the world. Without the words in this photo essay, no one would know how sad the scenario is.
Some possible purposes of this photo essay:
- Babies, hold your mom's hand!
- Don't abandon children. Whether it's abortion or apathy.
Jason this is such a well done blog post. I am impressed with not only your taking advantage of the affordances of the medium but also your analysis. In addition, the first photo essay you posted here on memory loss is actually my favorite and I completely forgot to talk about it in class. I wish you had brought it up. It is a moving piece that is well constructed.
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