M12 What Motivates Me and Photojournalists?

 

What Motivates Me and Photojournalists?



This is a photo of Stacy Pearsall featured in Upcountry History Museum 

Learning about Stacy Pearsall and how she was injured during the conflict was sad but inspiring. While she recovered, she created The Veterans Portrait Project. This is motivating because even though she was hurt she did not give up but continued to take pictures. I find stories like hers motivational, people who experience setbacks but pick themselves up and keep moving forward. Especially in Stacy Pearsall's case as she not only helped herself but helped shine a light on others' hardships as well. 

In “A Pasion For Photography” by Robert Long, Jocelyne Benzakin talks about photographer Gilles Peress and how his images are “journalism but it’s also art” and how W. Eugene Smith’s photojournalism is “More Than Just Pictures,” these photojournalists' work brings more to the world than a simple image. I find this motivational that you can relay so much through one image – emotions, understanding, inspiration, and art.




Photos by Daniel Fraher - Collage created with Photoshop

When I think about what motivates me, the first thing that comes to mind is my family. I am lucky to have a supportive family and am motivated by their encouragement. However, I also have self-motivation, the need to want to do well in my pursuits; I always try to do my best and work towards always learning so I can do better. Also, I am motivated by my passions – my art, my stories, my photography, my faith, and my interest in history and film. 



                                                 My Chat with ChatGPT:

Co-Created with ChatGPT, November 17, 2024. https://chatgpt.com/c/673a5012-4930-8010-bb0d-527df491d505

Prompt:

I have been tired and overwhelmed lately. I work on my college classes daily and have little time for my family or leisure activities. I enjoy movies, playing video games, and drawing, which allows me to relax, but I need to stay motivated in classes and not get distracted, as schoolwork is my priority. I feel my motivation is struggling; even though I enjoy the work, I feel exhausted. I know Thomas Edison that had challenges in school with your hearing issues, and where my obstacles are different we both are motivated to do well. I only have a few weeks left, so Thomas Edison, please, can you inspire me with ten motivational tips to keep me going through the next few weeks? Even when times were tough for you with your hearing problems, and you failed an experiment, you still had many successes, and I want to meet the challenges head-on like you did. Please give me your advice.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

I'm glad you see inspiration in figures like Thomas Edison—his resilience and determination are indeed legendary. Though I'm not Edison, I can channel some advice inspired by his mindset and your own challenges:

  1. Focus on the Goal
    Edison pursued invention relentlessly because he believed in the future he was creating. Visualize your success—graduation, pride, and the opportunities your education will unlock.

  2. Celebrate Small Wins
    Every assignment submitted or problem solved is a victory. Acknowledge your progress to stay energized.

  3. Take Breaks Strategically
    Edison often took catnaps during long work sessions. Set aside small blocks of time to enjoy your favorite hobbies like drawing or gaming to recharge.

  4. Embrace Failures as Learning
    Edison famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." If you face setbacks, see them as steps toward mastering your studies.

  5. Stay Curious
    Edison’s curiosity kept him going. Dive deeper into subjects that intrigue you in your classes—it might make the work feel less like a chore.

  6. Adjust Your Environment
    Edison designed spaces to fuel creativity. Organize your study area to make it inspiring and conducive to focus.

  7. Practice Resilience
    Edison lost hearing early in life but turned it into an asset, saying it helped him concentrate. Turn your current challenges into strengths by showing grit.

  8. Ask for Support
    Edison had teams helping him achieve his goals. Lean on friends, family, or professors when you're feeling overwhelmed.

  9. Maintain Perspective
    Remember, the hard work now is temporary but creates lasting benefits. The light bulb took years, but it changed the world.

  10. End with Enthusiasm
    Edison tackled every challenge with zeal. As you near the finish line, remind yourself of how close you are and give it your all.

Keep pushing forward, and don't forget to take care of your well-being. You've got this!




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Photojournalism means to me

Image
  Photo by  Anuar Patjane Floriuk To me, photojournalism means studying captured art through the lens, the natural beauty of the world, and the ability to capture moments in time. I chose this picture because of the dramatic and fascinating moment of time it has captured. Seeing the huge whale reminds me of the beauty of the ocean and how we are destroying it. I think the ocean is a good example of the diversity of subjects photojournalism can capture.
Read more

M5 Photo Art Assessing Photography

Image
Photo by: Photochrom image of Piccadilly Circus – no listed photographer (Londonist). Image Address : https://assets.londonist.com/uploads/2022/03/i730/piccadilly_circus__london__england.jpg Image Source : https://londonist.com/london/art-and-photography/early-colour-photographs-london-1900 Year Created: 1900 Principle #1: Depth of Field: This photograph is a good example of depth you can see far down the street. The roads allow for depth of field as the colors get darker, giving the image a greater sense of distance with the contrast. Additionally, the further the background goes back, the less focus the area has, which adds to the depth. Principle #2: Rule of Thirds: I also think the rule of thirds is displayed as the green statue in the middle of the road is on the line. The statue's positioning and the point on top of the statue is at an intersect point which draws your eyes to the statue. This gives focus and balance to the picture while providing interest...
Read more

Photojournalism and Bias

Image
" Going Home ", Photo by Ed Clark  B:  I see a man playing an accordion, he appears to be in a military uniform and at some social gathering that may be a funeral. It appears that he is crying as he plays, and the people in the background look upset. Also, I think he may be a naval officer, as his uniform resembles what sailors wear with an anchor on his hat. This image means to me mourning a death, a somber celebration. In the blog “ A Struggle For Democracy Part 1” by Shahidual Alam speaks about how photos can capture “personal stories”. Alam explains that images can be a documentation of “socio-political phenomenon.” History might not tell how much people care about the death of someone, but a photo can capture it. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was beloved. This photo tells me that this is something I did not learn in history class, I learned about what Roosevelt did for his country as President but not how the people felt about him. C: Looking at “Going Home,” I feel t...
Read more