Feel Good Feminism
-Context: The location of this image can by found by entering "famous women media" into http://images.google.com and, if nothing changes, going to the second page. The site that this originated from was a Global Ministries organization called UMW (United Methodist Women). Their mission is to "be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church" (http://new.gbgm-umc.org/
umw/about/umw-101/united-methodist-women-in-mission/). They also aim to help improve the lives of those women, children and communities that are in need.
-Content: Although this is not a traditional American woman, there is still some gender generalization to it (as well as cultural implications). It is trying to convey to it's viewer that although this woman seems to be in a low socio-economic level, with challenges such as children, low (or no) budget to work with, everyday challenges on top of it, and being a woman in what appears to be a African culture (where generally speaking woman are not always in control). The image seems to be telling a story of this womans struggle to be successful not only in life but in her role as a film maker (or story teller).
-Form/Analysis: The photographer used a close shot with little in the background to emphasize the foreground. The photographer left enough in the background so you could get an idea of the location, while using the rule of thirds to make the photo more dramatic. On one third (most left), you see what this photo is speaking for and about. "Who Makes the News" is a statement to literally spell out what the picture is trying to say. The middle third is the emphasis. The woman, dressed in what seems like traditional tribal clothing, is holding the camera. She is in control of the picture, which is why she is centered in the rule of thirds. The child, in the last third is more of a symbol then meant to be a child. It is representing the challenges and obstacles of every day life that it takes to be a woman in her position. A child can be a distractor, in a sense, and something that also conveys this womans role in her culture. The photographer shots in black and white for two reasons. One, it eludes to the fact that the woman has positive (white) and negative (black) parts of her life, with room for few grey in between. Second, the light is coming from the left side of the womans body, where the camera is, which creates darkness on the baby. The baby is in the darkness because it represents the old and unwanted domestic lifestyle of this woman. She want the role of women to change. For them to have the light. The photo conveys that women are the light of the world and they are the ones who tell the story. No longer, do women want to be in the dark depressing ages of only motherhood and instead wish to carry different roles. The camera is pointed right at you, at eye level to the (photography) camera, as if it is a metaphorical finger pointing to the viewer and asking you to think, "who makes the news." The woman in the photo is the one who is taking control and making the statement. Women are strong, and while they can be mothers they can be so much more. The photo makes the viewer think, and analyze their lives and the roles of women in the society that we live in, in order to understand women in other cultures. This is a strong, powerful, and feel good statement to feminism.