Letters to the Editor
Last Tuesday, photographer Tony Gleaton held an impressive lecture on
Africa’s legacy in Mexico, Central and South America. His pictures
were moving, beautiful, albeit self-admittedly posed. Yet the message
I left with was not one you would expect.
What struck me were Gleaton’s thoughts on what photos really are.
Mr. Gleaton made sure to get the point across that his photos, or rather
all photos, are images that tell you more about the photographer and his
or her personal history and philosophy than the subject itself. He explained
that his photos don’t really tell you who the people are. Instead,
they act as an illustration of his preconceived notions of the environment
he photographs.
In an age when photos and video work to convey much of what we “know”
by means of news and print media, I think his comment is a fresh word
of warning.
When you see a photo or video clip, you should ask yourself not only what
is happening, but also why the photographer is choosing to use that particular
image. We, as a society, need to understand that the photos we are seeing
are chosen either consciously or unconsciously by people who are selling
a story.
I want to thank the many people who attended one of the most crowded lecture
series events I have seen in a while. That is, with the exception of Mo
Rocca. But a little irony is a good thing now and then.
—Patrick Moyle
Senior, natural science
Brother Anthony is just another over-zealous fanatic trying to push his
agenda on everybody. Add one more person to the list of oddball misfits
who seem to be attracted to our campus! Since I've been at Fresno State,
I've seen a guy living in our student union and another who dresses up
like Superman's long-lost brother.
The best way to deal with these people is simple — ignore them.
Don't argue with them or try to reason, because logic doesn't work with
people who are beyond being reasonable.
Right now, it's Brother Anthony's game. He can get people angry and riled
up. But what would happen if nobody cared anymore? Brother Anthony is
old news, so bring on the next freak-of-the-week!
—Shoshi Pereira
Grad student, special education
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