The photographs in this chapter were used at the time to show the people of America, that imperialism was needed in the Philippines. Although, they convinced the American people of this by casting a negative light onto their culture. Making all of the Filipino people something they aren’t by using contrasting photographs and by also playing off the insecurities of the American people.
In the buildings that appear in the first 3 photographs, they are all give an impression of greatness, intellect, refinement, and power. In the first photograph, it shows the Palace of Varied Industries. Showing the visitors what has been accomplished technologically in this very civilized society. Both the Palace of Varied Industries and the monument in the plaza are symbols of architectural mastery. In the second photograph, the Palace of Liberal Arts is the most highly decorated of them all. A sense of a very wealthy economy is depicted in this photograph as well. With the motorized vehicle and very upscale appearances of the people in the foreground, it shows that these people have money to go along with their high class culture. In the third photograph, I think the photographer was trying to convey the tranquility and recreational aspects of the exposition. Lots of greenery surrounding the lake, fountains, gazebos, and boats rides all show a very peaceful lifestyle. With the Ferris Wheel and I’m sure many other amusement attractions it shows the fun loving side of the people of that time. Also in the photograph is the Palace of Machinery and Palace of Electricity which much like the first photograph are trying to show the intelligence and ingenuity of the American people.
The Term Paper on Newspapers And Magazine Photographs People Magazines
THE CHRONOLOGICAL STAGES OF PHOTOJOURNALISM The origins of photojournalism can be seen in documentary photography as early as the 1870 s. People were interested as to what far away countries looked like and what famous people looked like but never had the chance to see them. Photographers such as Roger Fenton went out and took photographs of the English troops in the Crimea. Over the other side of ...
As in the first three photographs, the forth seems to be putting the white man ahead of everyone else in the world. The top of the evolutionary ladder. The two women within the photograph is a contrast and influential reminder to the American people that because they are such a powerful and finely tuned people, that it is necessary for them to “help” the other people of the world to become just like them. A pictorial justification for imperialism. Showing that the rest of the world is just filled with lowly uncivilized beings. With the two women, it shows one as a dirty, helpless, woman, looking up at the vibrant, strong, sophisticated woman carrying the torch that is going to guide everyone into a more fulfilling life.
Much like the forth photograph, the fifth depicts a very primitive man who has a sort of lost look on his face. He looks like a short man, which might be a sign of weakness. I think the photographer was trying to associate this man with the African Americans. Because he is from the Philippines, and also has the skin of a black man, the American people of that time, still fresh out of the Reconstruction Era, might have still had it in their minds that black people cant take care of themselves and it is their duty to help these people. So they might think the same about Filipinos as well.
In the sixth photograph you not only get a sense of a very primitive culture that the Filipinos had by looking and comparing the building of this picture with the ones previously presented. But you also get the impression that the people that set this exhibit up, wanted the Americans to look at these people as animals almost. You can clearly see people on the other side of the fence looking in on them as if they were in a zoo.
In the seventh picture I think the photographer was trying to portray a very uncouth people. By showing them pictures of women and children not only in very reveling clothing at the time but smoking. Something that certainly wasn’t condoned for women at the time, but showing children, adds more of a shocking element to the picture. I think the next four photos could also be deemed shocking as well. Just like the previous photograph, the next two show men dancing around in barely anything beating drums. I think trying, much like the fifth picture, to associate them with another group of people that the American people didn’t hold much regard for, the American Indians.
The Essay on American Society Women Gender Men
Women and men are nestled into predetermined cultural molds when it comes to gender in American society. Women play the roles of mothers, housekeepers, and servants to their husbands and children, and men act as providers, protectors, and heads of the household. These gender roles stem from the many culture myths that exist pertaining to America, including those of the model family, education, ...
I think with the tenth and eleventh photographs, it shows a more violent side to the Filipino people. In the tenth photo it looks like a man and a woman putting a dog onto a fire. Now its not really any different from what Americans sometimes do with pigs, except its the image of these people doing something that seems cruel and unnatural that would maybe invoke fear into people. However if the tenth photo didn’t do it, the eleventh surely would put fear into the American people. Here it shows seemingly innocent young boys, that just happen to be head hunters ready to make a kill.
In the next three photographs, the photographers are trying to show the good effects imperialism would have on the Filipino people. In the first picture, it shows three women with their babies. By indicating that 2 of them were born in America and dressing them in all white, it might be to show that Americans can give new hope to their children and show a goodness and pureness about American life. In contrast to the uncivilized dog eating head hunters that the earlier photos depicted them as. In the fourteenth picture, it shows a mock class room where there is a Filipino teaching the class. The teacher looks to be already “Americanized,” and is trying to covert others just as Americans did to her. Showing the spectators that if we teach them, they will be able to teach themselves.
Looking at all these photographs, it looks as though the Exposition of 1904 was merely a means to get support from America. To try and make reason of why America had to go over and take control of these savage people, and make them more like themselves. These photographs are in a way being used to say, here is what we have, here is what they have, and this is how we can make things better for them.