I chose a photo essay off of the Mother Jones website that was called "Portraits of Addiction." In this essay a photographer named Chris Arnade went around to different parts of the Bronx and spoke with 15 different people who were struggling with addiction, homelessness, and prostitution. He spoke with each person and took their photograph, after asking them how they wanted to be portrayed. In the essay the photos are not graphic, they simply show the person, what's dramatic about it is the detailed description of each person next to their image. Arnade spoke with each individual, and a short biography of their current situation is displayed to the left of their photograph. Each image in itself shows an average person; however, it is obvious that something is not right, whether it be that they look like they haven't showered in days, or their eyes are bloodshot, no one looks entirely put together. Arnade shows these people in their natural states, he is truly displaying the faces of addiction.
What was really sad about this entire essay was that each person who was on the streets had a very traumatic past that led them to where they are now. No one decided that they wanted to do drugs just because, it was a result of something much bigger than that. The photos themselves tell a story in also; there seems to be no significant arrangement seeing that each person has a very different background. This essay is very striking and incredibly powerful, it does not leave you with any warm and fuzzy feelings but more so the feeling of reality, and that for some people this is their reality. I was able to change the pictures as I wanted therefore I could dictate the pace, which gave me enough time to read each persons individual biography. I feel that Arnade did a great job of showcasing these individuals for they are, not who I may have perceived them as.
What was really sad about this entire essay was that each person who was on the streets had a very traumatic past that led them to where they are now. No one decided that they wanted to do drugs just because, it was a result of something much bigger than that. The photos themselves tell a story in also; there seems to be no significant arrangement seeing that each person has a very different background. This essay is very striking and incredibly powerful, it does not leave you with any warm and fuzzy feelings but more so the feeling of reality, and that for some people this is their reality. I was able to change the pictures as I wanted therefore I could dictate the pace, which gave me enough time to read each persons individual biography. I feel that Arnade did a great job of showcasing these individuals for they are, not who I may have perceived them as.
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