Old News

     The Old News exhibit at the gallery really took me by surprise. I came in expecting photos that were straight on, non objective depictions of events around Ohio. Instead I got some masterfully taken photos of events from interesting perspectives and angles that showed more than just the story. One photo in particular caught my eye because of the human dynamic it displayed.
     Ohio Coal Miners was take in 1980 in a coal mine in southern Ohio. It depicted a close up shot of two men standing in a mine and not much else. The special aspect of the photo was the grins on their faces. It was similar to a child's expression after doing after playing a particularly mischievous prank. They both have their mining helmets on and are covered in dirt and grime from the labors their job entails.
     The photo goes beyond just showing the viewer two dirt covered men. It shows a comical relationship two men have while working deep under the surface of the earth. It feels like there is a special bond being show that we can understand through the unorthodox facial expressions. I would expect these men to be tired and angry from the hard and deadly work they do just to live but instead I'm faced with two faces that seem to have little understanding of where they are. It's like watching two children playing in the mud I would imagine. Covered in dirt and filth but enjoying their time making a mess of themselves.

Questions: Was photography a job or a hobby to you?
What do you think of the impact the digital images have had on the art form?
What is your most sentimental photo taken in the show and why?