Photography: Rose through the Night

Fashion Photography

In the article, Matthew Rolston's Inspirations: Fashion, by Matthew Rolston, he explains to the world what emotions fashion photographers aspire to inflict on their viewers. He states that fashion photography can, "help us mitigate the pitiful rituals of modern life and celebrate the goddesses that walk among us" (Rolston). Thus allowing one to step into a different world for the moment they are immersed in the picture. When learning about what is going on inside a photographers head I think to helps one to relate and understand the photograph better. I have learned from this article that fashion photography is used to inspire the emotion of longing and the, "concept of ideal beauty". Because of this beauty, one is inspired, excited, and immersed, by the enchanting photographs in the fashion world.


http://www.popphoto.com/photographynewswire/5525/matthew-rolstons-inspirations-fashion.html

Careers Give India’s Women New Independence

In Bangalore, India women are taking a stand and becoming more independent. Just a couple of years ago these women would have been forced to live with their families then go straight to their husband's home without any say in the matter. However, many women of this area are now becoming well educated and finding jobs in the city that enable them to have their own independence. These women are able to help support themselves without a husband. Due to opportunities in education and the work place they are able to live lives of choice. However, choices about marriage are still pressured greatly by parents. This will most likely take time to change because it has a been such as lare part of Indian tradition for many years. I'm personally ecstatic for these women because they are finally able to haves some freedom in their lives! Hopefully over the next couple of years their independence will grow helping them become the individuals they want to be!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/23/world/asia/23india.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=india%20women&st=cse&oref=slogin

If We Only Understood

Could we but draw back the curtain,
That surrounds each others lives,
See the naked heart and spirit;
Know what spur the action gives;
Often we would find it better,
Purer then we think we would.
We would love each other better,
If we only understood.

This week for my blog I decided to read a short poem called, If We Only Understood, By: Unknown. Even though this poem is short it hit right home with me. It talks about looking into each others lives and being a true friend. It is poems like this that inspire me to look deeper into people and their situations giving me reasons to want to connect with them more. It's important for everyone to learn the lessons of love and friendship and through poems like this maybe the people in the world we be able to, "understand" eachother better in the long run.


http://www.poemsonly.com/poems/onlyunderstood.php

Homer as A Feminist

I believe when it comes to Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, his view point of women is more feminist then sexist. Athena, with her centralization in the novel, leads me to believe that Homer thought of woman as important contributions to society. This importance is expressed in many different parts of the book. During the battle between Odysseus and the suitors she appears, and the suitors call to her saying, " Mentor, never let Odysseus trick you into siding with him to fight against the suitors"(446). This shows how Athena was so valued that men were groveling at her (a women) knees for help. Homer also shows his feminist views at the very end of the epic when Athena commands Odysseus to stop all fighting. The Odyessy ends with her last commandments. This is relevant because it revels how she is so powerful that people fear her enough to stop fighting even when they are enraged.
Another example is when Calypso trapped Odysseus on her island. He was not allowed off the island until Calypso willed it so. Thus showing the reader how powerful a women can be when she is determined.
Now one may question, "Yes we know Athena was powerful, but then explain Penelope's general "house wife, pining for her husband" characterization". In my opinion Homer did not mean to characterize Penelope in a sexist manner but he just decided on giving her the characteristics to make the story, and Odysesus homecoming, seem more dramatic. Without the typical, "wife yearning for her husband" the plot would have less significance because being with his faithful wife is Odysseus's main drive. Homer shows us in more ways then one the significance of a women through the characters of Athena, Calypso, and Penelope. The women described were those of power, determination and honor making the reader perceive Homer as a writer unprejudiced to women.