Susan Sontag

"To photograph is to appropriate the thing photographed. It means putting oneself into a certain relation to the world that feels like knowledge -- and, therefore, like power."

- I really like this quote a lot because of how it defines the meaning of photography and explains why photographers photograph certain actions, scenery, or objects. It shows that there is a lot of meaning behind an image when taken, as it captures the moment and can tell a story we are able to relate to or captures a key meaning or lesson in life.

"For many decades the book has been the most influential way of arranging (and usually miniaturizing) photographs, thereby guaranteeing them longevity, if not immortality -- photographs are fragile objects, easily torn or mislaid -- and a wider public."

- I think this quote is very interesting and points out the impact that images have on us though it is such small and fragile objects. Though photographs are fragile and small tangible objects, they have the power to retain memories and show meanings of life and knowledge which can be passed down and shown to others.

Revisiting Carrie Mae Weem's Landmark "Kitchen Table Series"

"Weems’s black-and-white photographs are like mirrors, each reflecting a collective experience: how selfhood shifts through the passage of time; the sudden distance between people, both passable and impassable; the roles that women accumulate and oscillate between; how life emanates from the small space we occupy in the world."

- I like how this quote really summarizes the kitchen table series and explains the contribution and purpose the series is showing the viewers. I find the stories told within the series interesting as it shows the many stages we go through in life and shows some of the moments in life we may encounter.

 “Everyone can relate to this work,” Sann said. “It’s not just Black women; it’s white women, Asian women. Men can see the women in their lives—memories from their childhood or scenes from their marriage or their family life. It’s so universal and yet representation like this is so rare.”

- I enjoy how Weems's quote explains how the series is able to be related to everyone and doesn't exclude anyone based on race. Though her photos show people of color, her photos are meant to capture the meaning of life in its entirety. It doesn't matter what race you are, we all go through the same stuff in our lives.

The Life of a Graphic Designer

(Inspired by Carrie Mae Weem's Kitchen Table Series)