Street Photography | Alyssa Wychers

Jeff Mermelstein, “Firemen with Tears,” from Ground Zero, September 11, 2001

            I chose this photo because it shows so much emotion and makes you feel like you were there. The color tones in the image are very warm and red tinted, which adds to the story it’s telling. There’s also a lot of repetition in the trees, the columns in the building, the firemen’s uniforms, and the debris and clutter in the background. The lines from the debris on the ground and the lamp post lead your eye to focus on the fireman in the middle of the image, as well as the lines of his arms leading you to his face. This image contains a lot of different textures as well, with the smoke, trees, columns, and clutter that add a lot of interest to the background. From the collection it’s in, I know that this photo was taken when the World Trade Centers were hit in New York City on September 11, 2001. I can also tell that it was a really emotional and intense time because the firemen are obviously upset. It looks like it was extremely warm due to the fire, and the debris adds to the feeling that it was chaotic. It also shows the contrast between what New York is usually like with the elegant building, as opposed to what it was like on this day.

Jill Freedman, 1979 from Street Cops

            I chose this image because it has a really cool composition and I think it tells the story the photographer wanted to tell very well. Symmetry is a really big part of this image – it’s almost completely identical on both sides, which is very interesting. There’s a lot of repetition in the two men standing in the same position with similar clothing, the doors on both sides of the hallway, and the same textures and lines in the hallway. The lines halfway up the wall lead your eyes to the two men, who are the subjects of the photograph. They also show the depth and length of the hallway. The shapes in the image are very elongated, and all of them in the background are rectangular with straight sides, showing repetition in shape as well. From what I read about Jill Freedman, her idea for this photograph and others like it was to show the human side of cops. I think that putting the cop next to the other man who doesn’t appear to have cop clothing on, standing in almost the exact same way really accomplishes this. They are the same, except their clothing – she makes the cop seem like a normal man.

Mary Ellen Mark, “Pro-Vietnam War Parade, NYC, 1968”

            I chose this photograph because the boy’s facial expression is so expressive that it grabbed my attention, and I also liked how all the small details in the photo tell a lot about what’s happening. There’s a lot of contrast and value in the image, with very dark parts and very bright parts, which adds dimension. The boy and his mother (I’m assuming) stand out against the dark behind them, which pulls our attention to them. The lines on the right side of the image show repetition as well as declining perspective, which gives depth to the image. There is also repetition in the people standing by the road watching. From the name of the photo I know that this was taken at a pro-Vietnam War parade, so it’s safe to guess that the boy and his mother are in the parade, while the people on the side are spectators. Even if I didn’t know it was an American war parade, I could make an educated guess that it was because of the details included – the boy’s pro-USA flag, the American flag behind him, the fact that they’re in the street with vehicles behind them, and the crowd on the edge of the street. I would also be able to guess a certain time period based on their clothing and especially the unique sunglasses the woman has on.

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Jaron, an incarcerated inmate, does community service in East Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Chris enjoys the sunshine and spring weather while taking her dog Maggie on a walk.

East Grand Rapids offers beautiful views, sidewalks, and trails around Reeds Lake.

Boutiques and other businesses line the charming streets of Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids offers a variety of shops and stores to stop in while walking the street.

Many people take advantage of the sunny spring day by exercising and being outside on Wednesday, April 16.