Period 7 -- Critical Analysis #3

10/4/2018

Today you will be writing about this image by artist Zora Murff, which is from his series titled Corrections. Your analysis must be 4 paragraphs, 5 sentences minimum per paragraph. Remember to post your analysis as a comment to the blog post that corresponds to your class. If you post your analysis to the wrong class's post, it will not be graded.

Below is a project statement written by Murff about his body of work, Corrections:

From 2012 to 2015, I worked as a Tracker for Linn County Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As a Tracker, I provided services to youths who were convicted of crimes, adjudicated, and subsequently ordered to complete probation. Juveniles in my charge were asked to comply with services which may include: electronic monitoring, therapies, drug screening, and community service; it was my responsibility to have continual contact with them to ensure these expectations are met.

Tracking and other similar community-based services are being increasingly used as an alternative to detention facilities. These services, which allow juveniles to stay in their homes, show a higher rate of success than strict incarceration. Although community-based services are built to foster a collaborative relationship between juveniles and service providers, attaining the actualization of teamwork becomes problematic when juveniles feel that they have done nothing wrong, are victims of circumstance, or do not fully understand why they have committed a crime. The system has been put in place to provide rehabilitation, but it is far from being a straightforward process. Many influences outside of the youths' control such as education, socioeconomic status, and race all play a role in whether or not a youth reoffends - all of these factors possessing the propensity to lead them to extended periods of incarceration in the juvenile system or to involvement with the criminal justice system as an adult.

By reconsidering the role that I played in the lives of the kids I worked with, I began to acknowledge the burden that comes with tasking young men and women with continued complicity. My stance as a consequence kept our relationships in a state of flux ranging from stable to tenuous – a constant motion mirroring the discord that develops between the system's intentions and outcomes. Through employing ideas of anonymity, voyeurism, and introspection, Corrections is an examination of youth experience in the system, the role images play in defining someone who is deemed a criminal, and how the concepts of privacy and control may affect their future.

Refer to your "How to See" handout for analyzing a photograph--

Describe specifics.
Describe form.
Describe the content.
Evaluate the image

Your analyses will be graded on:

meeting minimum length requirements
depth of organization
evaluation of the content
grammar/punctuation

Eduardo Saucedo

10/4/2018 01:06:57 pm

the image is about a bedroom. its using very light and dark colors to make it dramatic. the objets that are included are a bed, dirty clothes, and shoes. the image is describing an empty room with quietness.

the image is very pleasing to look at because you get this weird feeling when you see this image and you would probably think that this is a really good image. the rule of thirds is not being used because the main subject which is the bed is not located on the right or left. the type of view would probably be birds view. the depth of field is being used because the entire subject is takes in an age that makes it like a 3d image. the focal point is the bed because its what the image is highlighting. the ones are probably somewhere in the middle. the subject fills in the entire frame because your eyes can focus on the edges and at least see something in the image. the positive space is on top and the negative space is on the bottom.

therein theme would probably drama because of the colors that are being used in the image. theres a story being told in the image but it really hard for me to understand the story that the artist is trying to tell. the artist made this image in order to not make us feel alone and depressed. this image reminds me of my dorm in TMI in 8th grade, it wasn't fun and it was also really depressing. this image does not challenge any of my beliefs. this image is interesting because there is many things happening at once.

I really like the image because of the lighting and the subject that the artist chose. the photographer is successful because he is describing what he wants to describe.

10/4/2018 01:09:25 pm

The image is about a bedroom. its using very light and dark colors to make it dramatic. the objets that are included are a bed, dirty clothes, and shoes. the image is describing an empty room with quietness.

The image is very pleasing to look at because you get this weird feeling when you see this image and you would probably think that this is a really good image. the rule of thirds is not being used because the main subject which is the bed is not located on the right or left. the type of view would probably be birds view. the depth of field is being used because the entire subject is takes in an age that makes it like a 3d image. the focal point is the bed because its what the image is highlighting. the ones are probably somewhere in the middle. the subject fills in the entire frame because your eyes can focus on the edges and at least see something in the image. the positive space is on top and the negative space is on the bottom.

The theme would probably be drama because of the colors that are being used in the image. theres a story being told in the image but it really hard for me to understand the story that the artist is trying to tell. the artist made this image in order to not make us feel alone and depressed. this image reminds me of my dorm in TMI in 8th grade, it wasn't fun and it was also really depressing. this image does not challenge any of my beliefs. this image is interesting because there is many things happening at once.

I really like the image because of the lighting and the subject that the artist chose. the photographer is successful because he is describing what he wants to describe.

Campbell Streak-Jensen

10/4/2018 01:10:30 pm

The image is of a person's room. There is a book on the bed and a box in front of the bed. There are shoes next to the box and only four baby photos on the wall next to the bed. It looks like the light is natural. The direction that it’s coming from makes me believe it is a window.

It is not pleasing to look at because everything looks dusty. There is no rule of thirds being used. There is extra space in the photo. The point of view that this was taking at is a normal height. The main focal point is the bed and the sweater on the box.

The artists intention on making this was to show the type of place a juvenile delinquent sleeps. The shoes are all dusty and dirty, but the person probably can’t get any other shoes. The photo doesn’t challenge any beliefs. The photo is noteworthy because it looks different from other photos. Most photos look clean, but this one is all dusty and grimey because that is what life is like.

I do not like it because it is not pleasing to look at. I don’t like the colors that are being used. The photographer is successful because he is showing the life of these people. He is showing their struggles and rooms. This is a successful photo because of those reasons.

Daivd

10/4/2018 01:21:15 pm

This image by Zora Murff shows a room with a very small bed and a box next to it filled with clothes. This is a correctional facility based on the fact of how boring the room and the colors look. The room in general seems very dreary and not a place you would want to be. Judging based on the light casted in the wall it seems like there is a window on the other side of the room. There are also baby photos on the wall that may be this person's child or baby sibling.

I would say that this photo is not pleasant to look at. But I don’t think that is the point the image is trying to convey in the first place. This image seems to point out the dullness and boringness in a convicted juveniles life. The rule of thirds is being used because the bright red clothing in the box seems to line up in the left third of the frame. The lines for me direct my eyes to the box of clothing.

The themes are very dull and saddening. This reflects on the life in a juvenile facility. The artist probably made this image in order to show off a part of someone's life that not many people get to see. In my humble opinion this image is uninteresting. But that’s not the photographers fault, the room that he photographed is meant to be uninteresting and non enticing.

I do really like this photo. It leads you on an adventure of what it’s like to be the person who sleeps in this bed at night. The room in a way mirrors what it must be like to live in one of these facilities.I also love the bible on the bed that that these children may have to read in order to be rehabilitated. I do believe this image is successful in what it was trying to portray.

Shayna Bolton

10/4/2018 01:12:51 pm

The image is of a juvenile's bed, and some of his belongings on the floor and on the bed. It shows a red and blue patterned bed spread, some books sitting on the bed, and a few clothes and a pair of shoes next to it. The bed is mainly red to contrast against the plain wall and floor. There is also a bright orange jacket, or piece of cloth, in a box, it draws attention to the other components of the picture. The lighting is quite bright, it may be used to symbolize the hope of future for the child, the light in his life that he can look forward to.

The photo is not very pleasing to look at because it has a dark meaning behind it. The thought of looking at a criminal’s belongings and room makes the photo stressful to look at. Also there are random items strewn on the floor, the clothes aren’t completely in the box and the shoes seem to have been thrown carelessly onto the floor. The disorganization of the photo makes it displeasing to look at. The rule of thirds is being used in this picture, almost every item is shown on the lower part of the frame.

The idea of the image is to show how plain and boring a juvenile’s life is. However, it also shows that they aren’t kept in horrible prison-like conditions, they have their own bed and belongings. I think the story being told in the image is about how the child whose room this is, isn’t exactly like all stereotype things about him/her. He/she may not be as bad as people depict them as, they are human just like us. The artist made this picture to show what it’s like for people, or children, who commit crimes, it shows what kind of life they live after they’ve done something against the law.

I don’t like the photograph, but I don’t hate it either, I feel a neutral respect for the artist and his photo. I don’t like this photo because I don’t think that a correction facility is a good place to take photos. I feel like they aren’t very artistic, not a lot of effort was put into them by the photographer, he just walked into someone else’s room and snapped a picture. However, I think that the photo was successful in what the artist was trying to accomplish. I think the picture came out exactly how they wanted it to, and although others may not like it, it was still a successful image in the artist’s viewpoint.

Reagan

10/4/2018 01:19:18 pm

The Blacked Room

With a first glimpse of this picture you might only see the blood red sheets or the box filled with christmas colored towels. When taking a second glimpse you’ll see pair of worn down tennis in the center frame, that collect dust and haven’t seen the wet ground in days. You see the properly made bed with no visible pillows. You see a box filled with towels and probably all the cloths or supplies in the room. You see pictures plastered on the wall of a child. Which makes you wonder how a child could have a child?

This photo is distressing to the heart mind and everything about it brings sorrow. With knowing the true meaning to the photo you know the artist only takes photos of Juvenal kids. This means that sweet baby on the wall hasn't seen his mom or dad in days. It means that the ruff looking bed is the one place they come to for comfort. The focal points is shown by the rule of thirds and focus on the box and shoes.

I think the bright light coming into the room, makes the reader feel comfort. I think the light is trying to tell the looker that through all the bad there are the good things. This photo was made to tell outsiders how people who have been subjected to juvenile backgrounds live on the day to day. This images brings up a lot of questions and is quite artistic.

Personally i don’t like this photo, but i agree with what the artist stands for and takes pictures of. I didn’t like that the artist choose a light contrast to decide a sad picture. If the photographer was trying to tell the lookers about how with bad things come some good things than i think he got his point across. If he was trying to make the looker feel sorrow then i think he did the opposite.

Sarah Guerra

10/4/2018 01:22:22 pm

This image depicts the room of a juvenile delinquent. In the picture there is only a bed, five pictures on the wall, shoes, and a box with different items. The room and colors seem to be very dull except for the red cloth in the box and the picture of a baby surrounded in something blue. I think these colors are being used to show how juvenile detention isn’t a very happy place. There seems to be a window light is coming out of and then the shadow of the bed on the wall.

I don’t find the image pleasing to look at. This is because the dullness and the undecorated walls don’t make me think of something positive. I think the rule of thirds is being used by how the shoes are centered on the lower part of the picture. The picture looks as if someone just walked into the room and are right by the door to the room. I think the focal point is the shoes. The image in my opinion is balanced. The negative space is mostly on the walls and and the floor.

The image seems to be giving the idea of how simple and bland the life of juvenile detention is like. I think the artist made the image to show what it is like living in juvenile detention. The image makes me feel calm due to how simple the photo is. I find the image interesting. This is because the image makes me want to know more about the person the rooms belongs to due to there being very little personality and things in the room.

I like this picture because of how simple and it is. While the image is simple it also makes you question several thing. Like why does this person have barely any belongings and who are the pictures on the wall of. You also want to know who this room belongs to and what they look like. I believe the photo is successful.

Paolo Hernandez

10/4/2018 01:24:12 pm

This image is about a room in a juvenile detention center. This is the room of someone under the age of 15 that has committed some sort of crime. You can tell because he is in the juvenile prison and in order to be in a juvenile prison you have to have committed sort of crime. There is some basketball shoes, so you can tell that the guy in the juvenile prison plays basketball. There is a good amount of lighting due to the window that is on the opposite side of the room. There is some clothes in a laundry bin that most likely belongs to the the person in the room.

This image is interesting to look at because there is many different focal points in the image. For me the focal point is the bed and the shoes because they make me know that there is some sort of life in the image. This image is is the rule of thirds. There is a deeper depth of field. The image directs you to the middle of the image which is the bed. The image is balanced and it fills up all of the space of the frame. On the other side of this image there would be the other half of the room. This is being cut off of the image because the photographer wants it to be like that.

The themes in this image are the laundry bin, the bed, and the shoes. By this image you can tell that there is a story being told. The story is about a juvenile that is in juvenile detention. The artist made this image in order to show what it is like to be in a juvenile center. This image reminds me of Michael Jordan because of the basketball shoes. Whenever you think of Michael Jordan you think of his shoes which are very similar to the one’s in the image. This image is interesting because you can view this image very differently from what another person would see or think of.

I like this image because it reminds me of real life and all of the circumstances you can be in. For example, the basketball shoes remind me of the good and happy aspect of life. The bed reminds me of rest and comfort. While the laundry bin reminds me of hard work and dedication in life.There is a lot of meaning in this image. This photograph is successful because it has spread to so many people that even we are seeing it.

Hannah Growney

10/4/2018 01:24:23 pm

This is an image of a juvenile detention room. This picture only shows a bed, a box, pictures on the wall, and shoes. The lighting seems to be bright sunlight from a window. The colors used dark blues, reds, and grays. These colors are used to show that juvenile detention isn’t a happy place.

From a photographic perspective this is pleasing to look at. The image is very simple and uses calm colors. I do not think this image is using the rule of thirds. The largest item in the picture, the bed, is almost in the exact center of the image. A deep depth of field is being used in this image because the entire image is in focus. This is an asymmetrical image. On the left side of the picture there is a box with clothing; nothing like this exists on the right side.

Some themes in this photograph are dark colors, and simple spaces. The photographer wanted to show how depressing and lonely juvenile detention is. This image reminds me of dorm rooms. Dorm rooms are very plain and simple. I personally don’t think that this image is beautiful. There isn’t a lot going on or a lot to focus on.

I don’t like this image. It think that it shows sadness, and loneliness. I believe that the photographer was trying to display these things. The photographer was trying to show life in these detention centers. Therefore, I do believe that the photographer succeeded in this photograph.

Andrea Gonzalez

10/4/2018 01:25:19 pm

Critical Analysis #3

For my third critical analysis, I am studying an image made by Zora Murff. The picture depicts a bed in the corner of a room with a box at the foot of it filled with what seems to be a towel, jacket, and other miscellaneous items. Dull colors are being used as this photo was taken in a juvenile correction facility where most essentials are issued by the state. There is high contrast between the bed, floor, and box to the bright white wall. There also seems to be a window, that is not shown, which gives this image bright white lighting that is able to make everything clear to see.
Leading lines are being used in this image as the line separating the two walls from each other, and the walls from the floor all point to the bed. As all of the image is in focus, it is safe to say that a deep depth of field is being used. This makes it easy to get a good look at what this room looks like. The focal point, or the point of interest, is the bed as its red comforter attracts the eye. This image is framed by the blank walls and the blue carpet on the floor. Extra space is abundant in this image as the bed, box, and shoes only fill a small portion of the photograph.
Because this is a real scene of a teenager’s room in a juvy, most would say that this image is a bit sad. It makes you think about how all of your actions have consequences, some good and some bad. The artist made this image in order for us to get a look into the lives of those who have been incarcerated, and are facing the consequences of what they have done. It also may challenge certain beliefs of how many different factors may come and contribute to how biased police or judges may be when convicting someone of a crime. Now we can see that, yes they have made some wrong choices, but they are like us nonetheless. They are not aliens or some foreign creatures, they are humans and they are normal. This photo captures this perfectly.
I like this image because of all the meaning that can be seen in it. It shows how we are all humans that make errors, and we all make mistakes, and there is a beauty in being able to see that in each other. Nobody is less than anyone else, as we should always keep in mind to respect the dignity of all human beings. This photograph is successful because it can make anyone think about how we all belong to each other. Now we can see that, yes they have made some wrong choices, but they are like us nonetheless. They are not aliens or some foreign creatures, they are humans and they are normal.

Paul Borrego

10/4/2018 01:26:36 pm

The image is of a juvenile’s room with shoes and laundry next to their bed. The room is mostly cooler colors with the floor being blue. The lighting is bright and looks natural, not studio lighting.There is a pair of basketball shoes next to the bed with baby pictures next to it. There is nothing happening in this image.
The photo is pleasing to look at and looks nice. The rule of thirds is being used as the jacket is on the left side. The jacket in the basket is the focal point based on how much the warm colored jacket conflicts with the blue tile.I feel like the bed is pointing my eyes toward the jacket as the bed is the biggest thing in the room. This image is asymmetrical because there is no matching pair of laundry and shoes on the left side.
The theme might be sorrow as the room looks empty and the pictures look like they are meant so they will remember someone. The story in the image is of someone who is alone or taken away for one reason or another. The image might challenge beliefs that juveniles need to be treated differently. That they need to be rehabilitated not incarcerated. The image looks good and the light makes it good looking.
I like the photograph. It is visually appealing and has a good message behind it. The light looks really nice and the best part to me. I feel like the photo is successful because it draws people in with it’s looks. Then it sends them a good message.

Hannah Barrow

10/4/2018 01:27:08 pm

This image is of someone's bedroom. There is a bed, a pair of shoes, and a box with clothes and a towel in it. There are pictures on the wall of a baby. On the bed is a book that I think is the Bible and what looks like a hat. The tiles on the floor are blue-gray. The cover on the bed in maroon. The walls are painted white. The room looks like it is being lit by a window that is out of the frame. There are no people in this image. There is nothing happening in the image.

This image isn’t very pretty because you can tell by the room that it isn’t in a big, fancy house. The rule of thirds is being used on the corner of the room. It is off to the right side. The viewpoint is of a personal perspective. I think the focal point is everything, the whole room. My eye goes to the bed or the box next to the bed. The bed is in the corner of the room and the lines in the tiles and the bottom of the walls bring you to see the things in the room. All of the objects are in the image and nothing is being cut off but you can tell that there is more to the room that isn’t in the image.

This room belongs to a juvenile. The image is by Zora Murff who photographed juveniles. This image shows me that everyone lives a different way and this person does not live a good life if they are in juvie. This image is interesting and it makes you think. It makes you wonder what this person did because this room doesn’t look like the room a crazy or dangerous person.

I don’t hate this image but I've seen better. It doesn’t have much color to catch your eye. It doesn’t keep my attention for very long. I think if you know the images story then the artist was successful in the message but if you don’t you might just think that it is a picture of some random persons bedroom.

Joey Zhou link

10/4/2018 06:03:24 pm

This is an image of a room. I can see a bed some clothes and that’s it. But when I examined closely I can see some pictures on the wall and a book on the bed. The color of this picture is kind of grey. One thing that I’m sure is that there isn’t any lights in this room. This is a picture of simple empty room with nobody.

This picture uses the technique of framing because I can clearly see the edges of the wall(or I can say the corner) centered at the bed. I don’t think the picture uses the rule of third. In fact, it is divided half half. The point of view is from above(slightly). This picture doesn’t give me good feeling because of the color, settings and the lightings. It looks depressing.

After I learned the background of this image. it appears more like a criminal’s room to me. In my opinion, the artist took this picture was to warn teenagers that if you committed a crime, you will be locked up in this tiny room and being treated as a criminal. And this picture reminds me of someone’s dorm room, especially the one who doesn’t know how to make his room look better. When you relate this room to an actual person’s room it is going to be quite amusing. That’s why I think this picture is interesting.

I don’t like it because it looks depressing. I really don’t like the color. But it indeed, a successful picture. Because the photographer successfully revealed how a criminal’s life look like and warned people about it. There are also plenty of details in this room.

Anson Adamek

10/15/2018 01:19:44 pm

Critical analysis 3

The image is of a bed that is stationed inside of a juvenile detention. The room has a bed, baby pictures on the wall, a box that looks like it has blankets in it, and a pair of black basketball shoes. Its using very chill and not very vibrant colors, i think it’s a sign of worthlessness in the image, like nothing exciting is happening. The lighting is good and bright, and the source seems to be from a window.It has sorta depressing light though. There isn't really anything happening in the image but i would assume that the person staying there has been there for a while because he has the pictures and the box signifying that he has built up some things while they was incarcerated there.

It isn't really pleasant to look at because it sparks sadness and really makes you put yourself in the person’s shoes. There is rule of thirds. The angle is from the side of the bed.Deep depth of field. The focal point is the bed for me because that's the first thing i noticed when i first saw the picture.The lines are the bottom of the bed lining and the frame of the bed. The image isn't symmetrical because none of the things come into the same place. I think there are multiple subjects and that they all sort of line the photo, from the pictures to the bed, and to the shoes, then to the box. The edge of the image is right about on the line of the box. There is negative and positive space, there is the blank spots on the wall and everything else in the room.

I believe the themes and the ideas of the image is that there is a juvenile is staying in that bed. I think the image represents lost hope and nothing much left to push on. The artist made this image to put a perspective in your eyes, to really understand, and step into the juveniles shoes. This image reminds me of the old bedsheets that my grandma has at her house, they look like them alot. I do think it challenges political belief because people could argue that this type of punishment is too rough or that its too easy on them.I think the image is noteworthy because i really saw myself in that bed and compared my gracious lifestyle to their challenging ones.

I like this image because it makes you put yourself in the other person’s shoes and really see how great your life is compared to theirs. It shows us to be grateful and to not complain. It also shows us the consequence of those who break rules. I wouldn't want to stay there that long. I think this image is successful because it made me think and use my mind in a positive way.

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Period 7 -- Critical Analysis #3

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